Nevada’s Strategic Plan for Integration of Developmental Services and Early Intervention Services into the ADSD
The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) represents Nevadans who are aged or have a disability, regardless of age, and assists the broader community that touches their lives. Through advocacy, counseling and a broad array of supportive services, ADSD strives to create an environment that enables all of the Nevadans they serve to be self-sufficient, independent and safe. In the 2013 Nevada Legislature, Assembly Bill (AB) 488 took integration a step further by transferring Developmental Services (DS) and Nevada Early Intervention Services (NEIS) to ADSD. Formerly DS was housed within Mental Health and Developmental Services (MHDS) and NEIS was housed within the Health Division. (Since then, Health and MHDS have also merged to become the Division of Public and Behavioral Health.) The benefits of integrating the services include a better ability to:
- Promote community living for Nevadans with disabilities of all ages (across the lifespan)
- Create and enhance strategies to ensure the necessary services and supports
- Provide a responsive and effective service system that acknowledges unique needs
- Firmly establish no wrong door for services
- Expand outreach efforts
- Promote seamless service delivery including transitions across programs to obtain the full spectrum of care and better service coordination for participants with similar needs
- Improve access to information on community services and supports such as housing, employment, education, social participation, etc.
- Create a similar comprehensive community provider application and oversight process
- Strengthen basic infrastructure such as information technology (IT), fiscal and accountability