DDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES SECTION provides a variety of services, including day programming (early intervention, preschool), respite care, family support, follow-along, case management, integrated supports, and community integration companions. Individuals receiving services in the local community receive supervision from trained service providers in the most appropriate setting. Service providers must meet specified standards and criteria through either DDS licensure or certification. Community Support Services includes Field Services, First Connections (Part C Early Intervention), Early Childhood, Therapeutic Services, and Integrated Services that provide wraparound support to persons with dual diagnoses (developmental disabilities and mental illness).

Early Intervention and Early Childhood Services for Children Birth to Five Years of Age:

The First Connections Program (through Parts B & C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-IDEA) is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of statewide services for infants and toddlers (0 to 36 months of age). Currently, this unit provides services for approximately 3,000 infants and toddlers. Eleven (11) Developmental Specialists and two (2) Developmental Specialists Managers provide intake, service option presentations, individual social history development, referrals, transition to public school, individual service coordination (case management), assistance and monitoring of early intervention/early childhood contracts, obtaining and maintaining client data tracking information and case notes. Early Intervention/Early Childhood services include the following 16 federally mandated components: identification; evaluation; procedural safeguards; case management; speech, physical and occupational therapies; audiological services; developmental therapy; family training, health/medical services; nutrition services; psychological services; social work services and transportation. Additionally, this program works closely with both the State and Local Interagency Coordinating Councils, whose responsibility is to provide advice and assistance regarding early intervention services in the local community. Procedures and responsibilities designated by Part B & C of the IDEA are developed and supervised by First Connections staff. Home-based early intervention for infants and toddlers provides speech/language, physical and occupational therapies, and specialized services are provided in integrated day care programs, therapeutic settings, or the child's home.

Developmental Services:

DDS Developmental Services plans and provides continuous training for Speech Pathologists serving community programs as well as technical assistance to licensed community programs.  Contracts for Early Childhood services are monitored by this unit.

Field Services:

Field Services is responsible for the initial and on-going linkage of persons with disabilities to needed/requested services and the necessary supports to make those linkages timely, accountable and satisfactory. Specifically, the function of Field Services is to listen to what is being requested in terms of services needed and respond appropriately, making service referrals and performing case management activities based upon an individual's choice from an array of service options. Field staff functions are: Intake, service option presentations, individual social history development, referrals, emergency respite and transition/re-entry, individual service coordination (case management), inter-agency coordination, case notes, requests for assistance, interstate compact transfer requests, expediting emergency service requests, monitoring of field staff functions, obtaining and maintaining client data tracking information. Field Services has 21 Service Specialists who serve as intake points for individuals ages 6 to death who are entering the DDS system and are requesting services in the 75 counties throughout the state. Each Service Specialist is responsible for case management and has an average caseload of approximately 110 persons. Services include: information and referral regarding resources available in the individuals own community such as group home admission; Medicaid waiver; individual/family support services; integrated support services and application to any of the six Human Development Centers. Consultation and technical assistance is provided in the areas of individual habilitation, program development, assessments, individual/parent/guardian rights, individual service plans, and counseling.

Resource Support:

Resource Support Services authorizes and monitors contracts administered by the Community Support Services Section, for Integrated Services through the Act 911, Integrated Supports, and CASSP Programs, prepares contractual reports, monitors/approves expenditures, and compiles and submits evaluation and financial reports to determine effectiveness and compliance with state and federal regulations.  This unit also has responsibility for development of contracts for Early Intervention and Early Childhood programs, and contracting and monitoring services for those persons with multiple needs requiring integrated "wrap around" services through the Integrated Supports, Act 911, and CASSP programs, and for locating and developing divisional grants.

Together We Can Program:

FISCAL OPERATIONS SECTION oversees the DDS budgeting, licensure, grants administration, technical support, Medicaid Income Eligibility, staff development, human resources and facilities management activities.

Grants Administration Unit. The primary goal of DDS Grants Administration is to provide funding, support, technical assistance and monitoring for the 92 DDS community-based programs in Arkansas. DDS Grants Administration works with the community programs to assure that persons with developmental disabilities receive appropriate and quality community services based on their needs and desires. In addition, the unit processes enrollment of Waiver providers and serves as a DDS Liaison with the Contracts Section of the Division of Administrative Services.

DDS Licensure and Certification oversees granting of valid licensure certificates to specific community programs in Arkansas serving individuals who have a developmental disability. The primary objective for the Licensure unit is to conduct reviews of community programs and provide an on-going mechanism for the evaluation of the impact of the programs on services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to reviews, the unit is responsible for conducting technical assistance to community programs, investigating service concerns, and evaluation research.

DDS Technical Support. The Technical Support Unit provides support to the Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver in the implementation and ongoing provision of services through the processing of approved plans of care. This is accomplished by ensuring that the funds expended by the community providers for the delivery of services is available for reimbursement by the creation of Prior Authorization numbers. Technical assistance for billing discrepancies is also provided to providers and DDS staff by this unit.

Facilities Management. The facilities management section assists the Human Development Centers in planning capitol and maintenance projects. This includes processing professional services contracts, construction contracts and all SBS requirements regarding these services. Leases, mineral rights, and timber management are facilitated in this section. This unit serves as a liaison with SBS for the Human Development Centers and assists the financial section with developing operating budgets and capitol improvement budgets.

Staff Development. DDS offers training in various DDS related areas such as the Arkansas Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waiver Guidelines and Human Development Center Waiver Conversion. Additional training is developed and provided as the need is identified. Training sessions are open to consumers, parents/guardians, provider agencies, advocates and DDS employees.