Department of Mental Health:  Developmental Disability Division

The Division operates 17 entities that provide or purchase specialized services. Eleven (11) are regional offices that provide service coordination and work with individuals, families and providers in the following areas:  Albany, Central Missouri, Hannibal, Joplin, Kansas City, Kirksville, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, Sikeston, Springfield, St. Louis. 

The regional offices, the primary points of entry into the system, provide assessment and case management services, which include coordination of each individual's person centered plan.

 Individuals can be referred to their regional autism project through their regional office.  The Department of Mental Health’s Division of DD funds five regional autism projects that collectively provide services to approximately 2500 families statewide.  The programs and services are designed to assist in skill development of individuals with ASD and provide needed training and support for families.

OFFICE OF AUTISM

Purpose:

The role of the Office of Autism Services is to provide leadership in program development for children and adults who have Autism Spectrum Disorders, including establishment of program standards and coordination of program capacity.  Using Missouri’s 2007 Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Autism, the Office will develop action steps and implementation plans for certain recommendations, both short and long-term, as defined in the Blue Ribbon Report. 

For more information, please contact Julia Kaufmann at 573-526-3848 or by e-mail at julia.kaufmann@dmh.mo.gov.
 

PROGRESS:

Missouri Commission on ASD

Office of Autism Services 

Family Navigation Guide

MIssouri Standards Project

Missouri Centers for Excellence

Intensive Behavior Support Pilot 

Interactive Autism Network

DMH Website

 Missouri Autism Projects

DMH Autism Page

(contains FACT SHEET on Autism Projects)

View: Blue Ribbon Panel Report

ABA Directive

Division Directive regarding ABA

Division Directive Number
4.010
Effective Date:  August 1, 2002
Revised:  September 1, 2008

Title:  Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applies to:  MRDD Regional Offices

Purpose:  To prescribe the scope, duration and circumstances under which Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) will be authorized.

1. This policy addresses only early intensive behavioral intervention services: Applied Behavior Analysis. 

2. This service applies to children who have autism spectrum disorders as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed., TR. 

3. No Division funds will supplement this service for a child enrolled in First Steps or who is eligible to receive services through First Steps.

4. After the child exits the First Steps program, the Division will participate in funding early intensive behavioral intervention services when it is determined through the IHP process that the child could significantly benefit from such services.   The Division will fund this service as a supplement to a child’s formal public or private education program.

5. Consideration of the family’s unique support needs, as well as the level of commitment which the family can pledge to the success of this program, will occur before funding is approved, as with all Department of Mental Health (DMH) programs.  This is not an entitlement program.

6. An annual cap of $10,000 applies to this service, regardless of DMH funding source.  Funding for ABA services is time limited to 36 consecutive months and must begin prior to a child turning 10 years of age.
Note:  ABA is not reimbursable as all or part of services in the Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waivers.  Services will be funded as money is available, up to the level each child needs, and only to the extent the service is needed to supplement and coordinate with school-based program and funding.

7. Service coordinators will assist families in advocating for school-based programs funding for children ages three and older.  It is expected that for children over the age of three schools will take the lead in funding this service.  The service coordinator can assist in locating a consultant and implementers for both the home and school-based programs. Every effort should be made to work cooperatively with the schools to develop an ABA program that will follow the child from home to school and maximize the behavioral goals.