Developmental Disabilities

Idaho Contacts

State Agency Responsible for Providing Services to the Developmentally Disabled

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Developmental Disabilities Program offer a variety of services to children and adults who have developmental delays and disabilities, and to their families. Services available to adults with developmental disabilities through Medicaid include developmental disabilities eligibility determination, plan development, and prior authorization of Developmental Disabilities Agency services and home- and community-based waiver services.

State Agency Responsible for Overseeing Employment Opportunities for the Developmentally Disabled

The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's (IDVR) program goal is to place Idahoans with disabilities into the workforce by securing and maintaining productive employment. UDVR provides services required to assist you to go to work and can assist you in locating suitable employment. Only services that you need to reach employment will be provided.

Sheltered Employment

Many individuals with disabilities throughout Idaho need ongoing support services in order to maintain their employment. The goal of sheltered workshops is to support and assist consumers with disabilities to live and work in their communities. The Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation Community Supported Employment and Work Services Program is the State of Idaho's funding source that makes long-term support services available to individuals as they work in either a sheltered or community-based employment setting. There are over thirty-five different Community Rehabilitation Providers across Idaho to provide extended employment services.

Competitive Employment

Many individuals with disabilities throughout Idaho need ongoing support services in order to maintain their employment. The Idaho Vocational Rehabilitation Community Supported Employment and Work Services Program is the State of Idaho's funding source that makes long-term support services available to individuals as they work in a community-based employment setting. There are over thirty-five different Community Rehabilitation Providers across Idaho to provide extended employment services.

Health and Safety

The Idaho Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program is hosted through Boise State University and funded by a federal grant from OSHA. Consultation staff provide services for qualifying small businesses throughout the state. Consultants provide services to a wide range of businesses. Idaho's Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program is a free service for employers who seek a proactive approach to improving their safety and health programs.

The Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) Idaho Area Office provides safety and health protections to most private sector workers and state and local government employees within the state. OSHA investigates complaints about workplace safety and health hazards.

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

The Idaho Commission on Aging, Adult Protective Services, investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation involving vulnerable adults and takes remedial actions to protect older adults. Adult Protection workers provide specialized services to assist seniors and vulnerable adults (age 18 and over) in protecting themselves. Often, Adult Protection workers collaborate with law enforcement, Health and Welfare, nursing homes, bank managers and others to reduce the incidences of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Protection and Advocacy

Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc. (Co-Ad) is a private, non-profit legal services organization designated by the Governor as the Protection and Advocacy System for the State of Idaho. Founded in 1977, Co-Ad is the only legal rights organization in Idaho exclusively for people with disabilities. Co-Ad operates federally funded grant programs to protect the legal rights of persons with disabilities. Most of Co-Ad's services are provided free of charge to their clients.