Washington County Mental Health Services, Inc.

Developmental Disabilities

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (CDS), with main offices located at 50 Granview Drive in Barre Town, provides comprehensive services to children and adults with developmental disabilities, mental retardation, autism, and other pervasive developmental disorders. The agency’s designated service area is all of Washington County. All individuals receiving support from CDS are assigned a Service Coordinator (Case Manager) who is responsible for the consumer’s Individualized Support Agreement, and assisting the individual in achieving success to the community.

United Employment Services places individuals in competitive employment and provides on-going support to assist the individual in achieving maximum independence in their vocational placement. Staff provide on-the-job training and follow along during individual vocational careers. Transition supports are available to individuals who are placed in competitive employment, trained on the job, and then followed during their vocational careers. Funding for this support comes from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

The Facilitated Communication Program enables individuals to gain the necessary motor control and confidence to communicate through typing and other augmentative methods. Many of the traditional assumptions about developmental disabilities and autism have been challenged as a result of Facilitated Communication.

Residential Programs provide a spectrum of support models to meet the needs of each person. A residential home on Hill Street in Barre provides intensive, 24-hour support for persons requiring assistance in personal skills and medical overview. A home at Arioli Avenue in Barre is staffed 24-hours a day and serves adults who are capable of greater independence both within the home and community. Developmental homes are options for people who need 24-hour support but would like to live with a family or roommate. The CDS supported apartment program works with individuals who live independently, maintain health, safety and community access.

Flexible Family Funding provides state funds to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to enhance their ability to live together.

Adjunct Services to Area Nursing Homes teach daily living skills to individuals with a diagnosis of developmental delay who reside in local nursing homes. Consultation is also provided to nursing home staff.

Community Integration/Day Services includes activities which increase community access and involvement, to reduce reliance on federally funded programs. These may include community living skills, such as but not limited to teaching banking skills; facilitating access to voting; providing access to generic recreational activities; providing assistance in applying for SSI and other benefits, etc.

For more information call 802-479-2502.