1. What services does DDSN provide, who do they serve, and how do individuals apply?
DDSN is a state wide agency that provides services to support individuals with severe and lifelong disabilities in their homes and communities.
A. Want more information on who DDSN serves and services provided?
Click link for printable information: Overview of Services (PDF)
B. Want more information on how to apply for services?
Click link for a printable information sheet: How to Apply Flyer (PDF)
Visit our Webpage on How To Apply.
C. Have you heard about Employment First at DDSN?
View our flyers: Employment First Information for Young Adults (PDF) and
Employment First Information for Parents/Educators/VR Counselors (PDF).
2. How can I assist my students and families in connecting with DDSN services?
• Share the Overview of Services flyer (PDF) and explain to parents that DDSN provides long term services that may be needed
after high school.
• Educate families about the differences between school and adult services
• Inform families that adult services are not automatic and they must apply and be determined eligible.
• Inform families that they need to apply for services before they need them to have a seamless transition.
• Families need to research options prior to graduation and the requirements for these options.
• Review our information sheets on the Waiver services that DDSN provides and share with families.
• Work with your DDSN Transition Coordinator to be sure all your students are connected with DDSN.
• Encourage families to apply before the student is age 14. Help the family who is applying by:
• Sharing information about how to apply by providing the How To Apply flyer (PDF).
• Providing information about the child's disability category (may wish to highlight this on the flyer)
• Providing the families with a recent IEP and Psychological Evaluation to help with eligibility determination.
• Encouraging families to respond to DDSN requests to complete the process.
• Understand the role of the DDSN case manager and how to involve them in the transition process
• Case managers are local contacts for families. Know the name of the case manager and provider for each student.
• Involve the student's case managers in transition planning. Use this tool to communicate with case managers (PDF).
3. How can I tell if my student is already connected with DDSN?
If you or the family is unsure if the student is connected to DDSN you can:
1) Share this flyer with families or the individual and they can contact DDSN at the numbers
listed. Case Management Flyer (PDF)
2) Have the individual/family sign the release of information form and DDSN staff, including the DDSN Transition
Coordinator, can share this information with you.
By filling out the Release of Information form (with individual/guardian signature), information can be shared with the school (and other agencies indicated as needed) to promote transition outcomes. This permits DDSN Transition Coordinators to share information such as the student's eligibility, case manager, waiver funding status and documents needed to determine eligibility. Teachers can obtain forms for their classroom and the Transition Coordinator can assist you in being sure your entire class is connected.
Please print and have signed the Release form (Release of Information Form English PDF) (Release of Information Form Spanish PDF)
Once the form is completed, follow the instructions below.
Instructions:
All release of information forms can be returned by the following methods:
1) Forms can be scanned and sent to the appropriate person by e-mail (see below)
2) Forms can be mailed to the following address:
South Carolina DDSN
Attn: Transition Specialist/ ID/RD Division
PO Box 4706
Columbia, SC 29240
3) Forms can be faxed to the ID/RD Division to the attention of the Transition Specialist at (803) 898-2242
Laura Elder, Director of Transition, serves the following counties: Chester, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Richland, Sumter, and York. Contact Laura at LElder@ddsn.sc.gov or 803-898-1031.
Rhonda Mumford, Post-secondary Transition Coordinator, serves the following counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, and Union. Contact Rhonda at RMumford@ddsn.sc.gov or 803-528-9817.
Jennifer Quinn, Post-secondary Transition Coordinator, serves the following counties: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper, Lexington, Orangeburg, and Williamsburg. Contact Jennifer at JQuinn@ddsn.sc.gov or 803-898-1004.
Click link for DDSN Transition Coordinator Technical Assistance Territories (PDF)