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In 1955, the Arkansas General Assembly created the Arkansas
Children's Colony with the passage of Act 6. This act has been revised and extended
by numerous statutes, the latest being Act 1165 of 1975. Act 265 of 1969 created the
Arkansas Department of Mental Retardation. It also expanded the authority of the
Children's Colony Board to include certain responsibilities for the individuals who,
because of other disabilities, show characteristics of mental retardation.
In 1971, the Governor designated Mental Retardation/ Developmental
Disabilities Services to administer the provisions of the Developmental Disabilities
Services and the Facilities Construction Act, or Public Law 91-517, (as amended).
This legislation expanded the responsibility of the agency to serve individuals with
cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism.
In 1971, Act 38 transferred the Arkansas Department of Mental
Retardation and its functions, powers, and duties to the Department of Social and
Rehabilitative Services, which is now the Department of Human Services.
In 1981, Act 513 was passed and changed the name and official title
of the agency and Board to the Division and the Board of Developmental Disabilities
Services. Under this Act, the Arkansas Children's Colonies became the Human Development
Centers (HDCs). There are six HDCs across the state; the first opened in 1959 at Conway,
and the last opened in 1978 in Warren. The HDCs are located in Conway, Alexander,
Arkadelphia, Jonesboro, Booneville, and Warren. These programs provide services to 1,278
individuals (as of 06/30/00) with developmental disabilities who are in need of
24-hour residential, medical, and habilitative services.
Act 348 of 1985 authorized the reorganization of the Department of
Human Services, and under this change DDS became one of 13 divisions/offices comprising an
integrated services system. This Act designated control and administration of the HDCs
under the management and direction of the DDS Board with daily operation authority
extended to the DDS Director, in coordination with the Director of DHS.
DDS also provides an extensive range of services to individuals in
community settings. These services are provided through private, not-for-profit programs
whose service areas include all 75 counties of the state. There are 96 DDS Licensed
Providers and 43 Early Intervention Voucher Providers. Additionally, DDS offers
wrap-around services which include Medicaid Waiver, individual/family supports and
adaptive equipment.
The mission of DDS is to provide a variety of supports to improve
the quality of life for individuals with mental retardation, autism, epilepsy, cerebral
palsy or other conditions that cause a person to function as if they have mental
retardation. DDS also provides services for individuals with a developmental delay,
ages birth to 3 years.
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Donaghey Plaza North
P.O. Box 1437, Slot N505
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
(501) 682-8650
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