Apply for DDS Services
You need to apply for DDS eligibility. If you are eligible, you may get DDS Services. You must live in Massachusetts. You must have an Intellectual Disability. You may also be eligible if you have a Developmental Disability like Autism Spectrum Disorder, Prader-Willi Syndrome or Smith-Magenis Syndrome. DDS Adult Services are for people age 22 and older. You will need to have documentation of your disability. Documentation means that you need a diagnosis of your disability. Records from a doctor or psychological test results may be helpful. You will also be asked for your birth certificate, Social Security Card, and Health Insurance Card, for example.
People who are younger than age 22, may be eligible for Children’s Supports. You must live in Massachusetts. You must have an Intellectual Disability or Developmental Disability that is likely to continue for a long time. You will need documentation of your disability. You will need your birth certificate, Social Security Card, and Health Insurance Card.
Eligibility Applications are available in English and 7 other languages. Languages are Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese.
Eligibility Applications are available in English and 3 other languages. Languages are Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish.
DDS Eligibility Applications for Ages 5 – 22 and Ages 22 and Above (.pdfs)
Eligibility Applications are available in English and 7 other languages. Languages are Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Bengali, Haitian Creole, and Vietnamese.
DDS Eligibility Applications for Birth to Age 4 (.pdfs)
Eligibility Applications are available in English and 3 other languages. Languages are Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish.
Find DDS Regional and Area Offices
DDS Regional Map allows you to find DDS offices. Look at the map. Find your town or city. Click on your city or town to find your area and regional office.
Real Lives Massachusetts
Real Lives Massachusetts lets people with IDD find programs. Real Lives helps people with IDD decide how they want to live. There are over 600 programs run by 150 agencies.
Program areas are:
- Work
- Day
- Home
- Help
Self-directed Supports
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Self-directed Supports
DDS helps people to have more control in their lives. Helps to make decisions about services based on their:
- vision
- path
- preferences
- beliefs
- Abilities
What are Self-Directed Services?
Self-Directed service models give the participant and family the chance to create individualized supports based on goals and needs. The individual and family have authority and responsibility over a budget. They can decide who they would like to hire, when the supports will be provided, what the individual will do, where the supports will be provided and how services will be arranged. The services are flexible and can be customized to meet the changing needs of the individual as they learn and grow. Each of the two options, Agency with Choice and the Participant Directed Program, require the individual and family to share responsibility for the administration and management of the services they have created.
Self-Directed service delivery models gives a person and family the opportunity to create individualized supports. Supports are based on their vision and needs.
Participant Directed Program (PDP) .docx
Getting Started in Participant Directed Program (PDP)
In this model participants and their family identify and hire support staff of their choice. They will manage an individual DDS budget. The family works with a financial management service to process payroll and invoices. People may do this with the help of a guardian, family, friends, and will have the assistance of their DDS Service Coordinator/Support Broker.
Getting Started in Agency with Choice (AwC)
Individuals who choose this support model will have a budget allocation for the purchase of services to meet their needs. The participant/family is able to identify the people they wish to employ with the support of an agency to assist in the hiring process, payroll management, and other related tasks.
Tools for Participant Directed Program (PDP) & Agency with Choice (AwC)
Checklist for new participants:
Participant Directed Program Orientation Checklist .docx
Preventing Financial Abuse in the Self Directed Service Model:
Self-Direction Program Budget Responsibilities Preventing Financial Abuse and Exploitation .docx
Hire Your Own Staff
DDS Learning Find, Choose and Keep Direct Support Workers
DDS has a link to a toolkit with easy-to-use tips and strategies to help you find, choose, and keep high quality Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). The tools were created so you can pick and choose what strategies work best for you. It’s not necessary to use the entire toolkit, and it’s not necessary to use the tools in order.
Find, Choose and Keep Great Direct Support Professionals (.pdf)
Rewarding Work, an affiliate of TILL, Inc., helps people and agencies hire caregivers. It is a free resource for those seeking work as a care provider.
DDS Turning 22 Services
Chapter 688 provides a planning process for young adults with severe disabilities as they leave special education. It helps the transition into the adult service system. Every year, DDS transitions hundreds of young people into the adult service system.
Essential DDS Transition Information
Transition Information Fact Sheet in English.pdf
Transition Information Fact Sheet in Spanish.pdf
An Employment Planning Guide for Families of Young Adults with IDD