Programs and Services

For additional information please contact your local Regional Office .

Missouri's Autism Program
The Division of Developmental Disabilities established Missouri's autism program in 1991. The program provides support services to families and persons with autism residing in their own home.

Employment Services
In October 2008 the Division of Developmental Disabilities began a statewide employment initiative. The driving forces behind this initiative are those individuals receiving DD services, people are saying they want to work. Our vision is to increase the number of people working in integrated employment. As part of our restructure process we have hired a Director of Employment & Training and appointed Employment Coordinators in each of the 11 regional offices. This creates a concentrated effort around employment and moving the vision forward.  We strongly believe in an employment first philosophy, where employment is the priority option provided prior to any other day service option. Our expectation is if someone is of working age they are expected to explore work options, build on career planning and engage in work that makes sense to them.

First Steps
First Steps provides early intervention services to families with young children (ages birth to three) with disabilities.

Home and Community-Based Waiver
The waiver is used as the primary source of funding for people who live in the community but need residential services.

Community Support Waiver
The Division of Developmental Disabilities has had a Waiver Restructure Management Advisory Team (MAT) since last year. This MAT was charged with considering the waivers the Division of DD was currently operating and propose any changes to the structure and use of waivers by the Division. In July 2003, as a result of this work, DMRDD sought and received approval for this new waiver.

Sarah Jian Lopez Medicaid Waiver
The Sara Jian Lopez Medicaid Waiver allows access to funding for appropriate care and support for children with developmental disabilities so they may continue living at home with their families.

Self Directed Services
When a consumer or family chooses to hire, train, supervise and schedule their own workers who are not licensed professionals, U.S. Department of Labor rules prohibit the workers from being treated as independent contractors and require the workers be treated as employees. This means the worker must have an employer. The consumer or family who wants to direct their own personal assistant services becomes the employer of record for the workers they hire. The fiscal intermediary provides all necessary payroll functions for the employer of record (the consumer or family) and acts as a liaison with various regulatory and governmental agencies.