The Community Development Unit works with local providers, consumer organizations, and other state agencies to facilitate the development of services and supports to meet the needs of people with disabilities and older Vermonters. The focus of this unit is primarily on building capacity within the broader community.

Community Development Unit Contact Information

• Phone: (802) 241-4534
• Fax Number: (802) 241-4224

List of Programs and Services

• Adult Day
  Adult Day Services provide an array of services to help older adults and adults with disabilities to remain as independent as possible in their own homes.

• Autism
  The Autism Supports role is to develop and enhance the system of support in the home and community for people with autism spectrum disorders; work with community agencies, support groups and government departments to address system issues, enhance service delivery and develop or provide training; help people brainstorm ideas, find information and locate resources.

• Dementia Respite Program
  The Dementia Respite Program offers a range of educational, community, and direct services to individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) and to their caregivers.

• Food and Nutrition Programs
  Access to nourishing food is a critical link to maintaining physical health, independence and quality of life.

• Housing and Residential Supports
  Several programs coordinate services with housing to help people live independently and with dignity in settings they prefer.

• Green Mountain Self-Advocates (GMSA)
  Green Mountain Self-Advocates (GMSA) is a statewide self-advocacy network run and operated by people with developmental disabilities.

• Mental Health Elder Care Clinician Program (ECCP)
  The Vermont Elder Care Clinician Program is a service provided to help older adults who experience mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

• Older Vermonters and Family Caregiver Services (Older Americans Act)
  The Older Americans Act (OAA) provides funding for a range of programs that offer services and opportunities for older Vermonters to remain as independent as possible and to be active and contributing members of their community. The OAA also provides a range of services to family caregivers to support them to continue in this essential role. (See below for details on each program.) The older Americans Act focuses on improving the lives of older adults and family caregivers in areas of income, housing, nutrition, health, employment, retirement, and social and community services.

• Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP)
  The Senior Community Services Employment Program is a job-training organization that offers training within partnered community service agencies. The combination of skills training and community service leads to employment for low-income individuals age 55 and older.

• Supported Employment Program
  The Vermont Supported Employment Program provides a full range of services which enable people with disabilities to access and succeed in competitive employment. The program goal is to provide full access to employment through the provision of individual support services for people who have historically been excluded from employment.

• Transportation Services
  Access to transportation services that are flexible and responsive to the varied needs of older adults and people with disabilities is critical to the success of many programs available in Vermont. DDAS works closely with numerous state and local agencies to ensure that individuals have access to transportation services to maintain independence and promote access to needed services and resources.

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