The Department is dedicated to creating, in partnership with others, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate fully and meaningfully in, and contribute to, their communities as valued members.
Did you miss our April 28th, 2021 remote Transition Fair? Good news: we’ve recorded agency presentations for you! Click her image to watch Maria Stefano describe DDS services for our KP students. You can also view her slides by clicking the slide icon below.
KP typically makes this referral for you through the Chapter 688 referral process {Link to 688 info}. Please talk to your student’s liaison or the Transition Coordinator if you are unsure about whether or not the referral process has been initiated.After the referral has been completed and received by the Regional Team, applicants can expect to be contacted by a Regional Eligibility Team member to schedule a face-to-face meeting. The meeting can take place at a departmental office, or a convenient location where an interview can occur.
Generally, a written decision will be sent to applicants 60 days after the Regional Eligibility Team receives all of the necessary documentation and has had the opportunity to conduct an intake interview. There are three types of eligibility determinations: eligible, ineligible and deferral of eligibility determination. If applicants are found eligible, applicants will be given the name of the area office that will be responsible for service planning and prioritization. If applicants are found ineligible, they will be given information about their appeal rights. If DDS is unable to render a decision, applicants will be told what additional information is still needed to complete the eligibility process.
For individuals who are deemed eligible, DDS services may include:
Service Coordination: provided by Department of Developmental Services staff that arranges, coordinates, and monitors the services and supports that the Department provides, purchases or arranges for an individual.
Residential Supports:
Individual Supports: consist of assistance with a variety of activities that is provided regularly or intermittently to enable individuals to live as independently as possible in the community. Individual supports include help with food shopping, cooking, banking, and housekeeping.
Community Day Support: helps individuals to build and maintain their ability to participate in community activities by focusing on important skill areas that include communication, self-care, relationship building and community involvement.
Employment Supports: provide supervision, training, and/or transportation that enable individuals to get paid jobs. It includes help with career planning and job development as well. Here is a guide designed to help families of young adults get started with the school to work transition process.
Family Support Services: consist of supplemental supports that help a family to care for their family member at home. Types of family support services include individual and/or family education and training, support groups, family support coordination, supports planning, supports for community participation, outreach and education, and respite.
Respite: provides short term out of home care for the individual with intellectual disability. It allows parents and other primary caregivers to handle personal matters, emergencies, or take a break.
The newer DDS Autism services generally focus on family, day, and/or employment supports.
