The Children’s Services Division (CSD) supports individuals who are no more than 22 years of age. The goal of the division is to provide specialized case management that supports young individuals in transitioning to adult services. To be eligible for the Children’s Services Division, the individual must receive state-agency support, which can include DDS, DCF, VCM, LEA Residential Placement, etc.
The Children's Services Division also oversees an in-home support program for individuals under the age of 21 who are eligible for DDS services.
What is the in-home support program?
The in-home support program is for individuals up to 21 years old with annualized DDS funding. Individuals must have needs beyond what community, state or federal programs provide. This is not an entitlement program and funding for the program is only within available appropriations
For additional information regarding the in-home program, please email: DDS.CSD.General@ct.gov
Eligibility for the Children's Services In-home program
Eligibility for the in-home support program will require that an individual is eligible for DDS services, and has one or more of the following hardships which cannot be met with parental, age-dependent support only:
- The individual has significant medical needs beyond current nursing services, authorized through insurance.
- The individual has physical disabilities with an extraordinary need for support with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) beyond current home health aide services, authorized through insurance.
- The individual has challenging behavioral needs, not related to a mental health diagnosis or a mood disorder that results in the functional impairment of the individual. The individuals’ behavioral limitations must interfere with their functioning in the family or community activities, pose a risk to the health and safety of themselves and others, and interfere with their ability to achieve goals and make progress.
Eligibility for the program must be made prior to the age of 18. Service requests for out-of-home placement will not be considered for this program.
Services available to individuals eligible for the Children’s Services Program
Services in the in-home program typically include Respite, Individualized Home Support (IHS), and Behavioral Support, along with other waivered services.
Case Management
Case Managers will work closely with the individual and their family to implement supports in the family home and plan for a fulfilling future (STEP (ct.gov)). Once a plan is in place, individuals will transfer to traditional Case Management in the appropriate region.
Respite Centers for those eligible for the Children’s Services Program
- Adelbrook Respite Center: Residential Living - Welcome to Ädelbrook (adelbrook.org)
- Benhaven Respite Center: Careers | Individual & Family Support | Benhaven
How to apply
For additional information regarding the in-home program, please email: DDS.CSD.General@ct.gov. To begin the application process for the in-home program, caregivers must contact one of the DDS Regional Help Lines (DDS Help Line (ct.gov)).
Helpful resources
- Carelon Behavioral Health: Carelon Behavioral Health | Behavioral Health Services (Beacon)
- Children’s Services Division Fact Sheet for Families & Providers
- Connecticut Advocacy Center: Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center - CPAC (cpacinc.org)
- Connecticut Family Support Network: Home - CT Family Support Network (ctfsn.org)
- Connecticut State Department of Education/Special Education: Special Education (ct.gov)
- DDS Help Line: DDS Help Line (ct.gov)
- Department of Children and Families: Connecticut Department of Children and Families
- Department of Children and Families Voluntary Care Management: Voluntary Services Program (ct.gov)
- Individual and Family Grant: Individual and Family Grants (ct.gov)
- Paid Family Caregivers: Paid Family Caregivers Information (ct.gov)
- Respite Centers: Residential Living - Welcome to Ädelbrook (adelbrook.org) | Respite_Flyer_062624.pdf (benhaven.org)