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Administration for Children and Families US Department of Health and Human Services

Administration on Developmental Disabilities logoAdministration on Developmental Disabilities

Making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities
   
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About ADD


Welcome to the Website of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities!

What is ADD?

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is the U.S. Government organization responsible for implementation of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, known as the DD Act. ADD, its staff and programs, are part of the Administration for Children and Families, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What is a Developmental Disability?

Developmental Disabilities are physical or mental impairments that begin before age 22, and alter or substantially inhibit a person's capacity to do at least three of the following:

  1. Take care of themselves (dress, bathe, eat, and other daily tasks)
  2. Speak and be understood clearly
  3. Learn
  4. Walk/ Move around
  5. Make decisions
  6. Live on their own
  7. Earn and manage an income

 

What does ADD do?

The DD Act requires ADD to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need and participate in the planning and designing of those services. The DD Act established eight areas of emphasis for ADD programs; Employment, Education, Child Care, Health, Housing, Transportation, Recreation, and Quality Assurance. ADD meets the requirements of the DD Act through the work of its four programs:

  1. State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)
  2. Each state has a Developmental Disabilities Council that functions to increase the independence, productivity, inclusion, and community integration of people with developmental disabilities. DDC activities demonstrate new ideas for enhancing people's lives through training activities, through community education and support, by making information available to policy-makers, and by eliminating barriers.

  3. Protection and Advocacy Agencies (P&A)
  4. Each state has a Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System to empower, protect, and advocate on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. The P&As are independent of service-providing agencies and offer information and referral services for legal, administrative, and other remedies to resolve problems for individuals and groups of clients. P&As enhance the quality of life of people with developmental disabilities by investigating incidents of abuse and neglect and discrimination based on disability. The P&As also provide an annual opportunity for the public to comment on the objectives, priorities, and activities of the system. This gives clients and others in the community an opportunity to voice their concerns and needs to the P&A.

  5. University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Services (UCEDD)
  6. UCEDD is a grant program providing support to a national network of University Centers to support interdisciplinary training, exemplary services, technical assistance, and information/ dissemination activities. University Centers positively affect the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing their independence, productivity, and integration into communities. University Centers have four broad tasks: conduct interdisciplinary training, promote community service programs, provide technical assistance at all levels (from local service delivery to community and state governments), and conduct research and dissemination activities.

  7. Projects of National Significance (PNS)
  8. The PNS program awards grants and contracts that promote and increase the independence, productivity, inclusion and integration into the community of persons with developmental disabilities. These projects focus on the most pressing issues for people with developmental disabilities across the country. These projects may involve research, technical assistance, projects which improving supportive living and quality of life opportunities, projects to educate policymakers, and efforts to create interagency Federal collaboration.

How does ADD keep up with the state programs?

Program Performance Reports- SCDDs and P&As are required to submit annual Program Performance Reports (PPRs). PPRs give the reporting agencies the opportunity to identify achievements, new initiatives, and pervasive challenges.

Monitoring and Technical Assistance Review System- MTARS (pronounced em-tarz)

MTARS is the tool ADD uses to evaluate all the ADD programs working in a state, and how those programs work both independently and collaboratively. Each states ADD programs receive an MTARS at minimum every fifth year. MTARS assessments examine compliance and performance of ADD-funded programs and provide programs with recommendations and technical assistance for improvement. To learn more about MTARS check out the MTARS Guide.

Government Performance and Results Act of 1993- GPRA (pronounced gep-ra) is the Federal law that demands results from Government spending. GPRA was initiated to place an emphasis on accountability in the Federal government. Under GPRA there are specific reporting requirements that ADD, as with all Federal Agencies, must meet. PPRs and MTARS help ADD to remain in Federal compliance.

Where can I get help?

ADD programs are at work in every state and U.S. territory. ADD does not provide direct consumer support or financial assistance. ADD provides funding, monitoring, and policy guidance to it's programs Nationwide. To obtain services, contact the program offices in Your State. Or, check our listing of other resources for non-profits and local organizations that may be able to assist you.

Resources:

Disabilityinfo.gov - The newly launched web-site is a comprehensive guide to government-wide disabilities programs, services, and information.

National Associations

Still have questions? Try ADD Frequently Asked Questions page for some of the most commonly requested information.

DHHS web site
HHS WEB SITE


INDEPENDENCE PRODUCTIVITY INCLUSION SELF-DETERMINATION INTEGRATION