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DESE/DDS Supports Keeps Students Living at Home

Charles River Center partners with the the MA DESE and MA DDS to provide home-based, therapeutic support and wraparound services for students with autism and developmetnal disabilities in Middlesex and Norfolk counties who need intensive supports at home to prevent a more restrictive residential school placement.

The DESE/DDS Program is administered by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) with funding from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The goals of this program is to help families support their child in their home and community. Skill development focuses on increasing the child’s ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADL), enhance the child’s ability to communicate, and/or increases positive behaviors. It’s an intensive committment for families who are able to create and follow an individualized Support Plan to promote skill building, independence and social integration for their child.

Program Highlights

A CRC Family Navigator works with your family to develop and implement a Support Plan for services, help identify in-home staff and other resources and monitor the budget
Families receive approximately 3-6 hours a week of behavioral/skills training services in-home or in the community

Eligibility

Serves children ages 6-22 years of age at the time of enrollment in the Program
Eligible for MA DDS services as a child
Student must remain in an educational program provided by their local school district
DDS accepts Interest Forms from families at specific posted timeframes, pending funding and availability