Department of Developmental Services
Articles and Spotlights
Department of Developmental Services Self-Direction
DDS Self-Directed Services Delivery Models allow the participant and family the opportunity to create individualized supports based on their vision and needs.
* INQUIRE ABOUT DDS ELIGIBILITY, THE TWO SELF-DIRECTION MODELS: PARTICIPANT DIRECTED PROGRAM (PDP) AND AGENCY WITH CHOICE (AWC), AND HOW TO GO ABOUT SETTING UP A BUDGET *
DDS Eligibility Fact Sheet for Adult Autism Spectrum Disorder
In order to be eligible for adult supports and services from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) under Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a person must meet the Department's criteria.
* REVIEW THIS FACT SHEET TO SEE IF YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE MAY QUALIFY FOR SUPPORTS AND SERVICES FROM DDS UNDER AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) *
DDS - The Path Forward Project
DDS is introducing a person-centered assessment tool, SIS-A 2nd edition that measures support needs.
* OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (AAIDD) WILL WORK WITH DDS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SIS-A 2ND EDITION. DDS AND AAIDD IS CURRENTLY ASSESSING A SAMPLE OF SELF-DIRECTION CLIENTS TO GATHER DATA TO GUIDE EVENTUAL IMPLEMENTATION *
DDS - Self Direction
Participant Directed Program
(PDP)
Participant Directed Program (PDP) - How do I get started? At what age can someone enroll? What is a Support Broker? What is the Financial Management Service? Do my employees have taxes withheld from their paychecks? How do I find employees? Can I hire a family member? What do employees complete to get hired? How is the budget determined?
* LEARN THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS AND OTHERS. INQUIRE ABOUT GETTING STARTED WITH THE PARTICIPANT DIRECTED PROGRAM *
DDS - Self Direction
Agency with Choice
(AWC)
Agency with Choice (AWC) offers the option to partner with an agency. For those individuals that prefer to share the responsibility of selecting their support staff and directing their day-to-day activities, the Agency with Choice model may be an option to consider.
* AWC OFFERS MEDIUM FLEXIBILITY WITH MEDIUM RESPONSIBILITY AS OPPOSED TO PDP WHICH OFFERS HIGH FLEXIBILITY WITH HIGH RESPONSIBILITY. LET'S DISCUSS IF AWC IS THE SELF-DIRECTION MODEL FOR YOU *
DDS - Traditional Model
The Traditional Model is the most commonly used model in Massachusetts. The provider agency has full responsibility for the program development, budget, scheduling, support staff (hiring, training, supervising), and payroll. Examples of Traditional Services include: Community Based Day Supports (CBDS), Supported Employment, Day Habilitation (funded by MassHealth), Shared Living, Group Homes and Individual Support Services.
* IT IS POSSIBLE TO COMBINE TRADITIONAL SERVICES WITH SELF DIRECTED SERVICES. INQUIRE ON HOW TO DO THAT *
DDS Self-Direction Budgets
Each individual Self-Direction budget is based on the unique needs of the individual, the supports that are needed and the frequency of these services. A DDS approved individual budget is necessary for enrollment in the Self-Direction program.
* PARTICIPANTS IN THE PARTICIPANT DIRECTED PROGRAM (PDP) HAVE ACCESS TO VIEW THEIR INDIVIDUAL BUDGET ONLINE IN REAL TIME THROUGH THE FMS WEB PORTAL THROUGH PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS LTD. (PPL). PARTICIPANTS CAN ALSO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THEIR BUDGETS WITH THEIR DDS SERVICE COORDINATOR. *
DDS Flexible Funding
DDS Flexible Funding, provided through a Family Support Center or the Self-Direction program, can be used for purchases such as goods and services that provide direct benefit to the participant and support specific outcomes as identified in the Individual Support Plan (ISP), the Life Plan and/or vision. These individual goods and services ideally promote community involvement and engagement or provide resources to expand opportunities for self-advocacy.
* INQUIRE ON FLEXIBLE FUNDING BUDGET LIMITS AND DEVISING A PLAN TO OBTAIN AND SPEND DDS FLEXIBLE FUNDING *
DDS CAB
Citizen's Advisory Board
Join your DDS Area Office CAB and make a difference. CABs consist of self-advocates, family members, guardians, professionals, and other citizens who advise the area director on community needs and the quality of programs. CAB members contribute to positive change through legislative advocacy, community education, other activities to acknowledge the work and partnership of direct care workers and families. CAB members are appointed by the DDS Commissioner to serve on the board.
* CONTACT YOU DDS AREA OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ITS CITIZEN'S ADVISORY BOARD *
New Fiscal Intermediary for the DDS Self-Direction Program: Acumen
Effective 12/22/24
​​​DDS announced that it will partner with Acumen to provide fiscal intermediary services for the Participant Directed Program (PDP), Autism Waiver Program (AWP), and DESE Program. Acumen will replace Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) as the new fiscal intermediary for Massachusetts effective 12/22/24.
* TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ON THE NEW SYSTEM WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND STAFF IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2024. *
Eligibility for Adult Services and Supports from DDS
A person that is 22 or has graduated from high school prior to the age of 22 may be eligible for MA DDS adult services. Eligible individuals must meet DDS's definition of intellectually disabled or developmentally disabled. However, meeting these definitions does not guarantee eligibility and meeting eligibility does not guarantee services.
* LEARN ABOUT DDS ELIGIBILITY OF SERVICES, DEFINITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY OF SERVICES, AND AFTER THE ELIGIBILITY DECISION. *
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Appeals
The MA Department of Developmental Services regulations explain the specific issues that you can appeal such as denial of eligibility for services and DDS assignment of priority of services. You must file the appeal in writing with the DDS regional director for the DDS region in which you live. You must file the appeal within 30 days of receiving the written decision or the Individual Support Plan (ISP).
* LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT ISSUES YOU CAN APPEAL, HOW TO FILE AN APPEAL, AND STEPS AFTER FILING AN APPEAL. *