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Next Quarterly Council Meeting: January 16-17, 2025

Developmental Disabilities Services and Supports

Where can I find out about resources in my community?

There are several places where you can contact to find out about resources in your community. GCDD considers Parent to Parent of Georgia to be the first stop for people with disabilities up to age 26. Parent to Parent of Georgia offers a variety of services to families who have a child with a disability or special healthcare needs. 

Next, to access services through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, there are six regional offices. Each regional office has an intake and evaluation team that will determine if you or your family member with a disability is eligible for services. There is an application form to complete and additional documentation that must be sent in to see if you qualify. If approved, the regional offices will give you a list of providers who are approved to offer services in your region. 

Which State of Georgia agencies do I go to for services?

Finding services provided by the State of Georgia is a complex service system and there are different agenices involved in the delivery of services. This explanation of each one may assist you in knowing where to begin.

Babies Can’t Wait: Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) is Georgia’s statewide interagency service delivery system for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. BCW is established by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which guarantees all eligible children, regardless of their disability, access to services that will enhance their development.

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD): DBHDD supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a broad variety of ways in their homes and communities. To be eligible for services, a person must have an intellectual or developmental disability that substantially impacts intellectual or adaptive functioning. The disability must have originated in the developmental years birth to age 18 for an intellectual disability, or by age 22 for a developmental disability.

Georgia Department of Human Services: The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) delivers a wide range of human services designed to promote self-sufficiency, safety and well-being for all Georgians. These services include but are not limited to: child support, SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid and TANF(Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and numerous support services and innovative programs to help families in need.

Social Security Administration: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) serves children and adults with disabilities. There is an income criteria. The parents’ incomes are taken into consideration when the child is under 18. The person is considered a family of one at age 18 and only their income is counted even if they are still living at home. 

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency: GVRA helps people with disabilities access career training, find employment, and achieve independence. Their services include career counseling, assistive work technology, supported employment. 

Georgia Special Education Department of Education (GaDOE) – Division for Special Education Services and Supports: The Division provides support for leaders, teachers, and families to meet the whole child needs of each student to improve student outcomes resulting in an increased quality-of-life and workforce-ready future. The Division commits collaboration across agencies ​​and school-home partnerships to support local school districts in their efforts to provide special education and related services for students with disabilities. The GaDOE provides General Supervision for local school districts to improve educational results and functional outcomes for all children with disabilities and ensure that the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) are met. ​​​

Georgia Medicaid Waiver Programs: Medicaid waiver programs help people who are elderly or have disabilities live in their home or community instead of an institution such as a nursing home or intermediate care facility for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Each program offers several core services that are determined by each person's individual needs:

  • Service coordination (help with managing care needs and services)
  • Personal support (assistance with daily living activities, i.e. bathing, dressing, meals, and housekeeping)
  • Home health services (nursing, home health aide, and occupational, physical and speech therapy)
  • Emergency response systems
  • Respite care (caregiver relief)

A Medicaid Waiver is money that may be used to pay for services for a person with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. These services can take place in the person’s home or in the community. 

What kind of Medicaid Waivers are available in Georgia?

A Medicaid Waiver is money that may be used to pay for services for a person with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. These services can take place in the person’s home or in the community. See also the TEFRA/Katie Beckett Waiver.

TEFRA/Katie Beckett Waiver

The Katie Beckett waiver provides services to children with disabilities 18 and under, allowing them to live at home.

NOW and COMP Waivers

Individuals with significant intellectual and/or developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or neurological impairments may be eligible for the NOW or COMP waivers. 

The NOW Waiver stands for New Options Waiver. It provides support to people who do not need 24-hour care. It was designed for people with disabilities who live with family members or in their own home. There is a limit of $25,000 a year for services under the NOW Waiver. This waiver is for people who need less intensive services and support. 

The COMP Waiver stands for Comprehensive Supports Waiver. It was designed for people who need a full range of out-of-home services or intensive in-home services. The COMP Waiver is also used for people who are transitioning out of institutions into community living. It is administered through the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. 

Find out more and how to apply for the NOW or COMP Waiver here: https://georgia.gov/apply-new-option-waiver-program-now-and-comprehensive-support-waiver-program-comp. 

Georgia Pediatric Program

The Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) serves eligible children under 21 years of age who are medically complex and in need of medically necessary skilled nursing care and/or medically necessary personal care support. Eligible members should be getting physician ordered services to be considered eligible for this program.

Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program

The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, formerly called the Community Care Services Program, provides in-home and community-based services as an alternative to a nursing home.

SOURCE Waiver

The Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) is a waiver program that provides in-home and community-based services as an alternative to a nursing home.

Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP)

Individuals with physical disabilities or traumatic brain injury acquired between ages 21-64 could be eligible for the Independent Care Waiver. 

Other Resources

The following are other resources to look into:

Note: GCDD does not endorse any of these particular providers/organizations and encourages families to develop a set of questions unique to their situation to help determine if a provider is a good match for your family member.