PDD vs. Family Managed Services: Choosing Support in Edmonton

If an adult with a developmental disability is eligible for Alberta’s Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program, one of the next decisions may be how approved services will be arranged. Families often hear “PDD,” “agency services,” and “Family Managed Services” together, even though they do not mean the same thing.

PDD is the provincial program. Family Managed Services (FMS) is one way a person can access some or all of their PDD-funded supports. An eligible person may use an agency, FMS, or a combination of both, depending on the approved plan and the arrangement confirmed with their PDD worker.

This Edmonton-focused guide explains the practical differences. It is general information, not a decision about eligibility or funding. Confirm current rules and the person’s approved services with their PDD worker.

WHAT IS PDD?

Alberta’s PDD program helps eligible adults with developmental disabilities plan, coordinate, and access services intended to support community living and as much independence as possible.

Depending on assessed needs and the approved plan, services may include home-living support, respite for caregivers, community access, employment support, short-term caregiver assistance, or specialized supports. Approval is individual; not every person receives every type or amount of service.

PDD staff work with the person and support team to create a service plan. The provider and/or FMS administrator then helps develop an Individual Support Plan describing goals, how support will be delivered, who will provide it, and how changes will be reviewed.

WHAT ARE AGENCY SERVICES?

With the agency option, approved services are delivered through one or more provider organizations. The agency generally takes responsibility for employing workers, scheduling, supervision, payroll, workplace requirements, and service administration within its agreement and scope.

The person and their family or guardian should still participate in choosing goals, explaining routines and preferences, reviewing service fit, and raising concerns. Agency-managed does not mean the person loses their voice. It means the organization carries more operational responsibility.

Agency services may suit a household that wants an organization to recruit and employ workers, manage scheduling and administration, provide established policies, and offer a clear service contact.

Ask how workers are selected, how the person participates in matching, what happens when a regular worker is unavailable, and how communication works.

WHAT ARE FAMILY MANAGED SERVICES?

FMS allows the eligible person, a family member, legal guardian, or close friend to sign an agreement with PDD and become the unpaid FMS administrator. The administrator can directly hire staff and may also work with a PDD-approved provider, depending on the agreement.

FMS can offer more direct control over who provides support and how approved support is organized. It also brings administrative responsibilities. These may include developing the Individual Support Plan, recruiting and directing workers, meeting employer obligations, keeping required records, managing approved funds, submitting claims, and responding when needs or staffing change.

FMS may suit a support team that wants greater hands-on involvement and has the time, knowledge, and backup capacity to manage those duties. It is not automatically better or more person-centred than an agency arrangement. The best fit depends on the individual, the support team, and the approved plan.

AGENCY SERVICES AND FMS AT A GLANCE

Agency services

The provider generally employs staff and handles payroll, scheduling, supervision, and its required records.

Family Managed Services

The administrator may directly hire staff and usually carries the related employer, scheduling, financial, and record-keeping responsibilities.

Alberta states that a person may choose one option or both when confirmed in the arrangement.

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE CHOOSING

1. How much administration can the support team manage reliably?

FMS provides flexibility, but hiring, payroll, scheduling, records, supervision, and backup planning take time. Be realistic about who will complete these tasks.

2. How important is direct control over worker selection?

Some people want to recruit and direct their own workers. Others prefer an agency to handle recruitment while involving the person in matching.

3. What support does the person want during an ordinary week?

Start with real life: home routines, meals, appointments, errands, recreation, community participation, employment goals, and caregiver relief. Then confirm which needs are included in the approved plan.

4. What happens when a worker is sick or leaves?

Ask who finds replacement staff, whether backup coverage is available, how changes are communicated, and whether the person can decline an unfamiliar worker.

5. What training, supervision, and safety requirements apply?

Clarify screening, orientation, training, supervision, incident reporting, communication, and the boundaries of non-medical support.

6. What costs and records must be managed?

Ask what rates, hours, expenses, documentation, invoicing, claims, and employer costs are approved. Do not assume every expense will be reimbursed.

CAN AN FMS ADMINISTRATOR WORK WITH A PROVIDER?

Potentially, yes. Alberta explains that an FMS arrangement can involve directly hired staff and/or a provider approved by PDD. The exact structure must fit the agreement.

For an initial provider conversation, share only what is needed to assess general fit: broad goals, Edmonton-area location, schedule, non-medical activities, communication considerations, and whether the enquiry relates to PDD/FMS. Avoid sending detailed medical records, government identification numbers, or unnecessary private information through a general website form.

HOW AVELORA LIFE MAY FIT

Avelora Life provides person-centred, non-medical home and community support. Depending on the approved arrangement, service fit, location, schedule, staffing, and availability, support may include everyday routines, appointments and errands, community participation, companionship, respite, caregiver relief, and support toward independence goals.

Avelora does not determine PDD eligibility, approve funding, interpret an individual agreement authoritatively, or guarantee coverage. It also does not replace emergency response, nursing, diagnosis, treatment, therapy, or regulated health services.

A PRACTICAL NEXT STEP

Before contacting a provider, write down four things:

1. Who needs support and what matters to them.

2. The Edmonton address or nearby community.

3. Preferred days, times, and activities.

4. The general PDD, FMS, agency, or private-pay context.

That is enough for an initial fit conversation. If Avelora appears suitable, the next discussion can clarify scope, availability, communication, written service terms, and appropriate documentation.

OFFICIAL ALBERTA REFERENCES

Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD): https://www.alberta.ca/persons-with-developmental-disabilities-pdd

PDD — How to get services: https://www.alberta.ca/pdd-how-to-get-services

PDD supports and services: https://www.alberta.ca/pdd-supports-and-services

Family resource centres: https://www.alberta.ca/family-resource-centres

Last reviewed September 10, 2026. Program information can change; confirm current requirements with the Government of Alberta and the person’s PDD worker.