What type of Community Living Services and Support does DDS provide?
The department’s mission is to provide individuals with the services and supports necessary to develop relationships, exercise personal choice, develop competence and participate in community life. Residential services and supports take the form of individualized supports tailored to meet the needs of the person in his or her family home, Community Companion Homes (CCH), Community Living Arrangements (CLAs), Individual Supports in the person’s own home (formerly known as Supported Living Services) and campus settings such as regional centers and Southbury Training School.

Individual Supports (family home or own home)

Individualized Residential Supports are designed by and for children and adults with intellectual disability and families, guardians and friends to tailor a package of services and supports that best meet their needs, goals and preferences to live in the community in a home of their choosing.  These services and supports may be delivered in a family or an individual’s own home, and are provided either by private agencies or can be self directed i.e. employees are hired by the individual or his/her legal representative.  Individual Supports in the person’s own home (formerly known as Supported Living Services). Individuals who self direct their own supports are required to utilize a Fiscal Intermediary to assure appropriate payment, reimbursement and overall fiscal accountability.

Supportive Housing

• Map of DDS Supportive Housing in Connecticut

Community Companion Homes (CCH)

Everyone needs at least one family.  Some people with intellectual disability have more than one – their own and the family they live with in a Department of Developmental Services (DDS) licensed Community Companion Homes (CCH).  When circumstances make it impractical for a child or an adult to live in their family home, placement in a CCH is often the best choice for both the family and the family member with intellectual disability. Families of diverse cultures, backgrounds and composition are needed to serve. A CCH is not a group home, it’s a family that shares their home with an individual who is eligible for services from the department.

Community Companion Homes licensees (i.e. the CCH family) accept the responsibility for caring for one, two, or in some instances, as many as three individuals with intellectual disability.  A signed agreement between DDS and the provider is completed when an individual moves in.

Their first and most important job is to provide a home – with all that means in the way of comfort, understanding and concern. This includes involvement in the life of one’s family, the neighborhood and the CCH family.

For many, the most important reward is not financial. It is the satisfaction that comes from becoming part of a dedicated group of service providers who make life better and more fulfilling by opening their hearts and their homes.

CCH licensees receive a tax free room & board rate established by DSS and a tax free monthly stipend from DDS to cover additional costs of care for each individual with intellectual disability who lives in their home.

Community Living Arrangements (CLAs)

Community residences—CLAs also known as group homes, are operated by DDS regions or private agencies offer individuals opportunities to live in typical community housing.  Homes are small in size and generally serve six or fewer individuals.  To capture federal reimbursement, the majority of CLA residences are enrolled under a Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver. A small number of homes are certified Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities(ICF/IID).