DDS Handbook Section I

Employee Handbook

About the Department

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is a state agency funded by the State of Connecticut to purchase or provide a wide range of supports and services for citizens of Connecticut with Intellectual Disability. The supports and services DDS administers or purchases include residential services, day programs, employment supports, family supports, case management and clinical services.

DDS supports over 16,500 people within a legislatively appropriated budget. Unlike other agencies, its supports and services (with the exception of Birth to Three), are not an entitlement for people with intellectual disability and the majority of its services are provided by private non-profit organizations in local communities. The Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is organized into three geographic Regions, one Training School, and administered out of a Central Office located in Hartford. The DDS also administers the Birth to Three System, for children under the age of three.

Each person's particular situation is unique and a unique mix of assistance and supports best meets their needs. Supports and services come in many forms and are available from a variety of sources. Supports that meet an individual's needs may include information and referral, respite, leisure and recreation, employment and day services, residential options, advocacy and parent support, self advocacy, assistive technology and special adaptation, and long term and estate planning. Many families who have a family member with intellectual disabilities find all the resources and supports they need in their personal networks and local communities. They may not request any assistance from DDS. Others may ask their DDS case manager to help them to plan for the future or to apply for Medicaid or Social Security benefits through other agencies. Still others may be looking for more help to identify options or support for their family member who has intellectual disabilities.

In order to be eligible for supports or services from the Department of Developmental Services, a person must:

Be a resident of the State of Connecticut
Have an intellectual disability as defined in Connecticut General Statute 1-1g or
Provide a medical diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome

Essentially, the Connecticut General Statute (1-1g) defines Intellectual Disability as the following three conditions:

Significant sub-average general intellectual functioning (this means that the individual's cognitive functioning, as measured by an intelligence test, is approximately 69 or less.) These tests are administered and scored by a licensed psychologist. (commonly used I.Q. Tests include the Stanford-Binet, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and,
Has deficits in adaptive behavior skills (Adaptive Behavior means how a person is able to perform the day-to-day activities which would be expected for his or her age and culture). (Tests like the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale or the AAMR - Adaptive Behavior Scale are used by psychologists.) and,
Both of the above conditions (cognitive and adaptive deficits) need to have been present during the developmental period (before the age of 18).

Recent studies indicate that approximately 1% of the general population has intellectual disabilities.

As a department, and in concert with the people we serve, their families, our employees, numerous advisory and support groups, our providers, the legislature and the general public, we have initiated a number of activities to ensure we deliver services in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner. A few of the initiatives include:

participation in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Self-Determination for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Program to assist individuals and their families in becoming the primary decision makers about the supports they receive;
the DDS and Department of Social Services AFDC (TANF) program which is a collaborative between the two agencies to increase the availability of respite services to families while assisting AFDC recipients to achieve a greater degree of self sufficiency through respite training and job experience;
the case management/quality assurance initiative which centers on a support broker and advocacy role for case managers to allow them to provide services in a new way by increasing participation by people at all levels.

AGENCY MISSION

To join with others to create the conditions under which all people with intellectual disabilities experience:

Respect and dignity

Presence and participation in Connecticut town life

Good relationships with family members and friends

Opportunities to make choices in the pursuit of a personal future

Opportunities to develop and exercise competence

CONSTITUENT GROUPS AND COMMUNITIES

The Department of Developmental Services works closely with the Governor's Office (https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor), the Connecticut General Assembly (www.cga.ct.gov/) the Judicial Branch (www.jud.state.ct.us) the Council on Developmental Services (Formerly the Council on Mental Retardation), the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities (https://portal.ct.gov/CTCDD), private provider organizations, local associations for disabled citizens, other state agencies, consumer advocacy and community groups, families and concerned citizens to accomplish our Mission.

In addition we work closely with the Independent Office of the DDS Ombudsperson whose responsibility is to address complaints or problems regarding access to services or equity in treatment. Additional information about this office can be obtained at the DDS Ombudsperson's page.

DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION

DDS has over 260 separate worksites and a presence in all eight (8) Connecticut counties and nearly all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. Department services are delivered through administrative structures established in three (3) different geographic regions of Connecticut. The map below identifies these regions.

Connecticut Map with North, South and West Regions

Central Office - 460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT 06106; tel. (860) 418-6000; TDD (860) 418-6079.

Southbury Training School - 1461 South Britain Rd, Southbury, CT 06488; tel. (203) 586-2000; TDD (203) 586-2001.

West Region - 55 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702; tel. (203) 805-7400; TDD (860) 496-3093.

North Region - 155 Founders Plaza, 255 Pitkin Street, East Hartford, CT 06108; tel. (860) 263-2500; TDD (860) 263-2510.

South Region - 35 Thorpe Avenue, 3rd Floor Wallingford, CT 06492; tel. (203) 294-5049; TDD (203) 294-4475.

For questions, problems and general information regarding your employment please contact the Human Resources Generalist of the appropriate region. Some key addresses, telephone numbers and contact persons are listed below:

DDS CENTRAL HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION

Director of Administration - Kathryn Rock-Burns
Chief of Staff
460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT 06106
Telephone (860) 418-8762; FAX (860) 418-6009
Kathryn.Rock-Burns@ct.gov

Labor Relations Manager – Calie McAloon
460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT 06106
Telephone (860) 263-2610; Unit FAX (860) 622-2756
Calie.McAloon@ct.gov

Human Resources Business Partner – Rachel Fein
460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford CT 06106
Telephone (860) 418-6121; FAX (860) 622-4956
Rachel.Fein@ct.gov

Assistant Human Resources Business Partner – Jerica Ortiz-Lipowski
460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106
Telephone (860) 418-6125; FAX (860) 706-1419
Jerica.Ortiz-Lipowski@ct.gov

HR Generalist Unit – Human Resources Generalist 3 (Supervisor) – Naisha Roman
155 Founders Plaza, 255 Pitkin Street, East Hartford, CT 06108
Telephone (203) 294-5030; Unit FAX (860) 622-2791
Naisha.Roman@ct.gov

HR Staffing Unit – Human Resources Generalist 3 (Supervisor) – Carol Bailey-Laud
35 Thorpe Avenue; Wallingford, CT 06492
Telephone (203) 294-5002; Unit FAX (203) 294-5160
Carol.Bailey-Laud@ct.gov