Developmental Disabilities
Welcome from Olivia Garland, Deputy Commissioner for Developmental Disabilities
Welcome to the Division of Developmental Disabilities webpages. We believe that Georgia citizens with disabilities have the right to meaningful lives in their local communities. Our mission is to join with others to offer the quality supports necessary for each individual to reach his or her full potential. We hope you find these webpages useful and we welcome your comments and suggestions.
People with developmental disabilities have chronic conditions that developed before age 22 and limit their ability to function mentally and/or physically. Georgia's state-supported services are geared to people with mental retardation and to people with other disabilities, such as cerebral palsy and autism, who require services similar to those needed by people with mental retardation.
State-supported services are aimed at helping the family continue to care for a relative when possible, serving people who do not live with their families in a home setting, and promoting independence and self-determination. The services a person receives depends on a professional determination of level of need and the services and other community resources available. Services may include:
- Family Support – individualized services, such as in-home personal care, specialized supplies and equipment, professional consultation and scheduled respite care, designed to help families and caregivers to continue home care for a relative with disabilities
- Supported Employment – customized assistance to help a person find and keep a job, including job development, on-site job coaching, job adaptations and promotion of coworker support
- Respite Services – short-term care during the caretaker’s planned “time off,” or during an unexpected crisis, such as a caretaker’s illness
- Community Residential Services or Personal Support– support and supervision for people who live in their own home, with a foster family, or in a small group home
- Day Supports – day and community programs, workshops and community jobs aimed at involving the person in regular community activities and tailored to individual needs
- Regional Hospitals – seven state-operated hospitals serve people with severe and profound mental retardation. Today, people may be admitted only under special circumstances for temporary and immediate care during a crisis.
Please contact your Regional Office if you have any questions or concerns.
Find A Service Near You
An alphabetical list of counties designed to assist you in locating your local county contact information.
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