How is a person found eligible for Specialized Support Services?

To receive employment services and training from Specialized Support Services, a person must have a Developmental Disability, or other cognitive limatation which is documented by qualified professional (usually a physician).

What is a "Developmental Disability"?

The Oregon Administrative Rule (section 309-047-0000) definition:

(17) "Developmental disability" means a disability attributable to mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and/or other neurological handicapping condition which requires training or support similar to that required by individuals with mental retardation, and the disability:

(a) Originates before the individual attains the age of 22 years, except that in the case of mental retardation the condition must be manifested before the age of 18; and
(b) Has continued, or can be expected to continue, indefinitely; and
(c) Constitutes a substantial handicap to the ability of the person to function in society; or
(d) Results in significant subaverage general intellectual functioning with concurrent deficits in adaptive behavior which are manifested during the developmental period. Individuals of borderline intelligence may be considered to have mental retardation if there is also serious impairment of adaptive behavior. Definitions and classification shall be consistent with the "Manual of Terminology and Classification in Mental Retardation" by the American Association on Mental Deficiency, 1983 Revision. Mental retardation is synonymous with mental deficiency.

For more information on Eligibility and Screening contact Lane County Office of Developmental Disabilities