DOVER (Oct. 13, 2021) –The Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) announced today that Easterseals of Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore will become the Division’s new “Agency with Choice” Provider, providing self-directed services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Self-directed supports provide additional flexibility to individuals and families to build the service system that suits them best.
Marissa Catalon, Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services said, “Self-directed care options empower people to control the supports they receive – whether those supports are needed at home, at a job, or out in the community. It’s our most flexible option, and we’re excited to have Easterseals as a new provider of this service option for our community.”
Easterseals will work with individuals receiving personal care and respite services via the DDDS Lifespan Medicaid Waiver Program and their families to provide assistance with training, enrollment, staff-hiring and onboarding.
Pam Reuther, Chief Operating Officer of Easterseals of Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore, shared the enthusiasm for this new partnership. “Easterseals has a long history of working to meet the unique needs of every individual we support. We’re excited to have been selected as the new Agency with Choice Provider for DDDS and look forward to enabling more individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families to play a stronger role in building the supports they need.”
DDDS first made self-directed care through the Agency with Choice program available to its service recipients in 2017 in partnership with Consumer Direct Care Network. “We’re incredibly grateful for the work Consumer Direct Care Network did in partnership with the State to build and grow this program over the last four years,” said DDDS Director Catalon. “Because of their commitment and stewardship of this service, we feel confident in our ability to transition this program to our new partner and continue its expansion in our service system.”
DDDS is one of 10 divisions in the Department of Health and Social Services. It serves more than 5,000 service recipients statewide.