R.I. Government Agencies | Privacy Policy |
You can apply for services by contacting the Division of Developmental Disabilities at 401-462-3421 and asking to speak to someone in the Eligibility Determination Office. That person will explain the eligibility criteria and the application process to you, answer any questions you may have and mail you the specific Application for Services form and Release of Information forms that will need to be completed and signed. Once all of the forms have been completed they can be mailed back or delivered to the Social Services Office, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), at 6 Harrington Road, Cranston, RI 02920.
Top of PageHow do I get a specific service?
Anyone can call the Social Services Office of the Division at 401-462-3421 and speak to a staff person about the services that are available for adults with developmental disabilities. Services are both privately operated and publicly operated and they are typically funded in three board categories: Residential Services, Day/Employment Services and Family Supports.
After you have been found eligible for services you can speak with your individual social worker about any specific services that you may need. Your social worker will explain to you the types of services available and how services are funded by the Division. Everyone in the system gets funding for some level of day support or services. Family Support is based on individual needs.
Your social worker will be able to let you know if the service you want is available from the Division, from another state agency or from a community resource. The social worker will explain the process to talk about what you want/need at your annual planning meeting that can be included in your Individual Plan.
Top of PageThe Division will give you a copy of the list of available certified and licensed community providers. There are approximately 35 providers in Rhode Island. You can contact any of these providers and talk with them about the services you need/want. You can choose any of these providers to provide you with the support/services you need. We have a booklet available to help you think about the kinds of questions you may want to ask any provider “Some Questions To Ask When looking For A Service Provider”. You can request a copy of this booklet by calling calling 401-462-3234.
Individuals also have the option to direct their own services, which means that they can employ a Fiscal Intermediary Agency that would help him/her to hire their own staff and manage their Medicaid funding for services. We currently have one agency that you can contact that will work with you if you want to directly manage your own services/supports.
Top of PageWhat kinds of abuse should be reported?
RI law and the MHRH Licensing regulations require abuse (physical, sexual, verbal/psychological, and material), neglect and mistreatment to be reported to the Office of Quality Assurance, DDD. In addition the Division requires other types of “incidents” to be reported such as human rights violations, serious medication errors, injuries, hospitalizations, deaths, and a few other areas.
The Division has developed a Report Abuse flyer that lists what should be reported and a booklet that includes each of the specific definitions for each area (which are called “incident classifications”). The booklet is called “Requirements for Community Agencies for Reporting Serious Incidents Involving Adults with Developmental Disabilities”. You can request a copy of this booklet or the flyer by calling the Office of Quality Assurance at 401-462-2629.
Top of PageIf you suspect or know about any type of abuse involving an adult with developmental disabilities you can make a report by calling the Office of Quality Assurance (QA), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), at 401-462-2629. You will be able to speak to a staff person who will listen to what you want to report. The staff person will write down what you know on a Confidential Incident Report form. This information will be shared with other people in the Division who will decide what action that may be necessary.
If you call the QA Office after normal weekday work hours or on the weekend you will hear a voice message that will give a 24 hour pager number that you can contact to make a report. Someone will return your call and will talk with you about you know or suspect.
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