What’s in Draft 1 of the Developmental Disabilities Reform Act (DDRA)? Family Supports Under the draft DDRA, the DC Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) must provide a comprehensive system of family support services for families of children, youth and adults are eligible for DDA services.
DDA will develop, administer, coordinate, monitor and evaluate all family supports.
Family support services must make maximum use of federal funds.
Family support services will include: o o o o o o o o o o o
Key DDRA Terms A family family includes people who are related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, adoption, or legal custody, or who consider themselves a family based on bonds of affection.
Support coordination; Information and referral; Family support services are designed Transition planning; to help families to support their Respite services; members who have developmental Family training and counseling; disabilities to live in the family home Temporary supports and services; or to maintain family unity. One-time cash assistance; Home modifications; Funding for items or equipment; In-home supports; and Any other assistance that DDA believes is needed to provide a comprehensive, coordinated family support system.
DDA must provide regular orientations and trainings for families of eligible children, youth and adults on supports and services, service planning, rights, and grievances.
Family support services will not replace or reduce other public benefits to families, or be considered resources or income in any eligibility determination or sliding fee scale.
A Family Support Council will guide the development of the family support system and will provide ongoing advice and oversight for DDA’s family support system. The 35member Family Support Council will have a majority of family members and a minority of government officials.
For more information, visit http://dc-ddleg.blogspot.com or contact the DDS MAC Legislative Committee through
[email protected] or (202) 636-2963.