Developmental Disabilities

Services and supports for people with developmental disabilities come in many forms and cover the arenas of medication, employment, education, habilitation, community living, leisure, and health. Providers of these services may specialize in one area or provide an array of supports and services. They serve people with developmental disabilities of all ages and their families and may sometimes serve others in the community. For instance, an employment support provider may work with people who have both mental health problems and developmental disabilities.

Supports are planned with the individual, their family and field professionals, while customarily overseen by state and federal bodies. Providers are licensed by their respective states to operate. They can be private or state operated; “for-profit” or “non-profit.” They range in size from one house “Mom and Pop” operations to multi-state, multi-facility operations. Most include a Board of Directors and are subject to minimum safety and quality of care standards.