Self-DirectionJune 18, 2026
Understanding Your Self-Direction Budget Rights in Maryland
Many participants don't realize the full scope of what their authorized budget can cover. Here's what you need to know to advocate for yourself effectively.
Maryland Self-Direction Support
Your Self-Direction Journey,
Guided with Expertise.
Empowering individuals and families in Maryland to take control of their care — with the right support, every step of the way.
About Karlene
Expertise You Can Trust. Compassion You Can Feel.
With 5 years of experience supporting individuals and families in Maryland's Self-Directed programs, Karlene Thompson brings both professional expertise and genuine compassion to every client relationship. At The Thompson Experience, the mission is simple: help clients understand their rights, manage their budgets, and build the support teams they deserve — all while staying fully compliant with Maryland Department of Disabilities guidelines.
Learn More About UsOur Vision
Leading the Way in Support Brokerage
At The Thompson Experience: Support Brokerage, our vision is to be the leading support brokerage firm in the industry. We aim to achieve this by providing exceptional support services that exceed our clients' expectations.
What We Offer
Comprehensive Support for Every Step
From financial management to workforce guidance, we provide the full spectrum of Self-Direction support services.
Financial Management Services
We handle the financial complexities of your Self-Directed budget — payroll, vendor payments, and full compliance with Maryland DDA requirements.
Support Brokerage
Your dedicated support broker helps you navigate the Self-Direction process, develop your person-centered plan, and coordinate services that align with your goals.
Budget Planning & Compliance
We work with you to build a realistic, compliant budget that maximizes your authorized funds while meeting all Maryland Department of Disabilities guidelines.
Hiring & Workforce Support
From job descriptions to onboarding, we guide you through hiring, managing, and retaining the right support workers for your unique needs.
Self-Direction Education
We educate clients on their rights within the Self-Direction model — helping individuals and families fully understand how their DDA funding works, what they're entitled to, and how to make the most of their authorized services.
Advocacy
We advocate on behalf of our clients to ensure they receive the full benefits they're entitled to — standing beside them in conversations with case managers, DDA coordinators, and service providers.
Our Team
The People Behind Your Experience
A dedicated team of professionals committed to your success in Self-Direction.
Karlene Thompson
Founder & Lead Certified Support Broker
With over five years in Maryland's Self-Directed programs, Karlene Thompson pairs real expertise with genuine compassion in every client relationship. She founded The Thompson Experience on a simple mission: to advocate for clients to understand their rights, manage their budgets, and build the support teams they deserve.
Christine Arhu
certified Support Broker
Christine brings precision and care to every plan, helping clients stay compliant while making the most of their authorized Self-Direction funds. She sees the person behind the paperwork, and her clients trust her to catch the details that keep their plans on track.
Marcia Godfrey
ADMINISTRATIVE Assistant
Marcia is the warm voice clients hear first — coordinating services, answering questions, and making sure every family feels supported throughout their journey. She keeps the day-to-day running smoothly so nothing falls through the cracks, and no question ever goes unanswered.
Resources & Insights
Knowledge to Empower Your Decisions
Practical guidance for navigating Maryland's Self-Direction programs with confidence.
Hiring TipsMay 30, 2026
How to Hire the Right Support Worker for Your Needs
Finding the right support worker is one of the most important decisions in Self-Direction. We walk you through the process from job posting to first day.
BudgetMay 12, 2026
Staying Compliant with Maryland DDA Guidelines
Compliance doesn't have to be complicated. Learn the key requirements every Self-Direction participant should understand to protect their program status.
Honoring Disability Advocates
Champions Of Change
Honoring the trailblazers whose courage, resilience, and self-determination paved the way for the rights and freedoms we champion today.
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph was born prematurely on June 23, 1940, in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee — the 20th of 22 children. During her early years she suffered from pneumonia, scarlet fever, and at age five, infantile paralysis from polio, which weakened her left leg. For much of her childhood she wore a leg brace, yet walked unaided by age twelve. As a sophomore at Tennessee State, Rudolph set a world record in the 200-meter dash at the U.S. Olympic trials and went on to earn fame at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Upon retiring she held world records in the 100-meter (11.2 sec), 200-meter (22.9 sec), and the 4×100-meter relay, and was inducted into the Black Sports Hall of Fame, U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, National Women's Hall of Fame, and the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame.
The triumph cannot be had without the struggle. Never underestimate the powers of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. The potential for greatness lives within each of us.
— Wilma Rudolph
Roland Johnson
Roland Johnson was a disability rights activist born with a developmental disability. Institutionalized at 13, he survived 13 years of abuse at Pennhurst State School and Hospital. In 1971 he gained his freedom through the landmark case Halderman v. Pennhurst. Through his testimony and speeches across the country, Johnson played a part in shutting down Pennhurst and contributed to the release of numerous people from other state institutions. He became President of the Board of Speaking for Ourselves and a Board Member of Self Advocates Becoming Empowered, and witnessed the Americans with Disabilities Act signed into law in 1990.
The only way to break that barrier is to tell people that you are in control over your own life.
— Roland Johnson
Judy Heumann
Known as the "Mother of the Disability Rights Movement," Judy Heumann spent her life fighting for equal rights and accessibility for people with disabilities. She helped lead the historic 1977 Section 504 sit-in, which paved the way for stronger disability protections and influenced the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives.
— Judy Heumann
Ed Roberts
Often called the "Father of the Independent Living Movement," Ed Roberts challenged barriers to education and independence after becoming paralyzed by polio. He became the first wheelchair user to attend the University of California, Berkeley, and helped establish the first Center for Independent Living, transforming opportunities for millions of people with disabilities.
If we have learned one thing from the civil rights movement in America, it's that when you don't include everyone, you lose.
— Ed Roberts
Justin Dart Jr.
Known as the "Father of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)," Justin Dart Jr. traveled to every U.S. state collecting stories from people with disabilities. His advocacy helped shape the ADA, one of the most significant civil rights laws protecting people with disabilities from discrimination.
ADA is not a gift. It is the result of the hard work and sacrifice of thousands of people with disabilities.
— Justin Dart Jr.
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