Funding Your Time at 3LPlace

Many families who apply to 3LPlace face challenges and have questions about how they will pay for our program. We will help you with those challenges by providing some guidance on how to navigate the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) self-direction funding system.

Because self-determination and self-direction are so central to our philosophy, curriculum, and payment system, we encourage prospective members and their families to investigate the “participant-directed” programming option (the PDP option), one of two self-directed options available through the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS). By law, all individuals who qualify for DDS services are given control to decide/choose the supports and services that best meet their needs. These needs are identified, assessed, and enumerated in an Individualized Support Plan (ISP).

Self-direction PDP funding can be used to pay for 3LPlace services. 3LPlace is currently the only self-directed community-based program in Massachusetts that is covered by DDS’s PDP self-direction model. All other self-direction options feature one-to-one services rather than group programming based in the community.

The Massachusetts Real Lives law provides that every eligible DDS participant has a choice between traditional programming and self-direction programming. The law and its regulations stipulate that the budgets for those choosing self-direction through DDS should be equivalent to the budgets for those choosing traditional budgets through DDS. In FY25/26, the range of budgets provided for individuals choosing traditional Community Based Day programming range from $34,531.20 to $51,633.40, based on a needs assessment by DDS.

3LPlace offers programming six hours a day, five days a week. The payment rate is $297 per day with a minimum of two days per week.

3LPlace services may also be supported by private funding or school district funding. We will be happy to help you implement any funding streams available to you and your family. For more information about funding, email admissions@3lplace.org.

3LPlace Strengths and Needs
        
                    Good Match
                    Challenges
                
                        Department of Developmental Services (DDS):
                        Must be enrolled in DDS Participant Directed Services (PDP) Self-direction services.
Able to allocate from available annual PDP budget an amount equal to 3LPlace programming fees.
Alternately can use available PDP budget to pay for some 3LPlace services while using private pay for the balance.

                        Department of Developmental Services (DDS):
                        Not eligible for DDS services
Enrolled in DDS in traditional services. Will need to formally choose to transition to PDP Self-Direction services.

                        Private Pay:
                        Able to pay privately for all or a portion of days of programming.

Good Match	Challenges
Department of Developmental Services (DDS): Must be enrolled in DDS Participant Directed Services (PDP) Self-direction services. Able to allocate from available annual PDP budget an amount equal to 3LPlace programming fees. Alternately can use available PDP budget to pay for some 3LPlace services while using private pay for the balance.	Department of Developmental Services (DDS): Not eligible for DDS services Enrolled in DDS in traditional services. Will need to formally choose to transition to PDP Self-Direction services.
Private Pay: Able to pay privately for all or a portion of days of programming.