Who is Eligible for services?
To receive services through Developmental Connections or any of its affiliated non-profit organizations
an individual must have mental retardation or some other developmental disability. According to state law
(Sec. 630.005, RSMo) a qualifying individual’s mental retardation must have occurred before the age of 18,
while any other developmental disability must have occurred before age 22. All conditions must be expected to
continue indefinitely.
What is a Developmental Disability?
Developmental Disability is defined in Section 630.005 RSMo as a disability which is attributable to
mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, head injury or autism, or a learning disability related to a brain
dysfunction; or any other mental or physical impairment or combination of mental or physical impairments; and
is likely to continue indefinitely; and results in substantial functions limitation in two or more of the following
areas of major life activity:
- Self-care
- Receptive and expressive language development and use
- Learning
- Self-direction
- Capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency
- Mobility
- And reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment, or other services that are lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned or coordinated.
Core Services Provided by Developmental Connections:
As directed by Section 205.968-972 RSMo, Developmental Connections will place priority attention and
financial resources on the provision of two core services:
1) Vocational services are those that focus on enabling an individual with a developmental disability to obtain and maintain meaningful work, including the acquisition of pre-vocational and vocational skills, the formation of relationships in the work environment and the use of transportation services.
2) Residential services are those that focus on the maintenance of a person with a developmental disability in his/her own residence or the residence of his/her family and include the acquisition of skills for independence, formation of social roles, relationships, self-reliance and the enhancement of progress toward normal living.
The focus of Developmental Connections' efforts will be in developing, maintaining and expanding a variety of Residential, Vocational and/or Related Services that enhance community participation of Taney County residents who have a developmental disability.
Contract Services Providers:
Tantone Industries
A Sporting Chance
Alternative Opportunities/Brooke Care, Inc.
Champion Athletes
Developmental Center of the Ozarks (DCO)
Therapeutic Riding of the Ozarks
