Our Developmental Support Specialists at RIHS will determine if you are eligible to receive Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities services in Pennsylvania. This DS Support Specialist will be your initial contact when registering for services, guiding you through the entire Intake Process.

Getting Started

There are several ways you may register for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) services. These include:

  • Call the RIHS Office at (724) 836-6215 and ask for a IDD Intake. Someone will take brief demographic information and a DS Support Specialist will call you back.
  • Register online at www.compass.state.pa.us  COMPASS is an online application for Pennsylvanians to apply for many health and human service programs. DS Support Specialist will make contact with you once they receive the notification of your application.
  • Complete the Self-Referral Information form by clicking here. A DS Support Specialist will make contact with you once they receive the completed form.
  • You can also come to our office directly to fill out the paperwork. Once the paperwork is completed, we will work with you to schedule an appointment to meet with a DS Support Specialist.
  • If you currently have a Behavioral Health Case Manager, you can reach out to them to assist with the registration process.

Intake

Be prepared to provide the following information regarding the individual for who services are being requested:

  • Full name, current address and telephone number
  • Copy of Social Security Card
  • Copy of Birth Certificate
  • Copy of Medical Assistance (MA) card
  • Medical Information
  • Educational Information
  • Copy of Photo ID, if applicable
  • Copy of Custody Agreement documents, if applicable
  • Copies of eligibility documents for diagnostic and assessment review

Documentation must include recent evaluations or assessments such as comprehensive evaluation reports, formal assessments, adaptive functioning evaluations, psychological evaluations from psychologist/psychiatrist that include IQ testing. Documents must indicate a diagnosis of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder prior to the age of 22. We can assist you with IQ testing and diagnostic reviews, if necessary.

Don’t worry if these records are not conveniently available to you. We can obtain them after you sign the necessary release of information forms.

If you are not receiving Medical Assistance and are eligible, we will provide you with information on how to enroll and can assist with the on-line application, if desired.

Next Steps

The Developmental Support Specialist will review the information you supplied and if needed will work with you to get additional information so a determination of eligibility can be made.

Validate Address
Acceptable Documents will need to have both Name and Address typed on them in order to qualify. The following options typically contain the required information: Bank or credit card statement, Driver's License or Photo ID, Government benefits statement, Insurance policy or premium bill, Lease or mortgage statement, Pre-printed paystub or tax form, or Utility bill)
Determine Eligibility: Intellectual Disabilities
  • Must have a diagnosis of an intellectual disability with onset prior to the age of 22.
  • The individual must have adaptive skill deficits in three or more areas based on a standardized adaptive functioning test*
  • A licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, or licensed physician, including developmental pediatrician or psychiatrist, must certify that the individual has significantly sub-average intellectual functioning based on a standardized general intelligence test.

*The standardized functioning test covers: Self-Care, Receptive and Expressive Language, Learning, Mobility, Self-Direction, and Capacity for Independent Living.
Determine Eligibility: Autism
  • Must be eligible for medical assistance
  • Must have a diagnosis of Autism with onset prior to the age of 22
  • The individual must have adaptive skill deficits in three or more areas based on a standardized adaptive functioning test*
  • Be recommended for ICF/ORC level of care based on a medical evaluation
  • A licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, developmental pediatrician, psychiatrist, licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, OR licensed nurse practitioner certifies that the individual has a diagnosis of autism which is documented by the results of a diagnostic tool

*The standardized functioning test covers: Self-Care, Receptive and Expressive Language, Learning, Mobility, Self-Direction, and Capacity for Independent Living.
If Determined Eligible
  • If the individual is determined to be eligible, you will receive a written notification
  • A meeting will be scheduled to obtain additional information
  • You will be given the choice of any willing and qualified provider of supports coordination service (SCO)

Once an SCO is chosen, they will assign you a supports coordinator who will contact you and help you develop an Individual Support Plan (ISP), as well as locate, coordinate, and monitor community services and supports.
If Determined Not Eligible
  • If it is determined not eligible for services, you will receive a written notification
  • Your Developmental Support Specialist will try to help you connect with other resources that may help
  • You have the right to request a review if you do not agree with the determination of not eligible

To request a review, please contact the Westmoreland County Behavior Health/Developmental Services Office at 724-830- 3617 and ask for the Developmental Services Coordinator
What is an Individual Support Plan (ISP)?
In 2000, ODP worked to establish one standardized plan to be used across the Commonwealth – a plan that would facilitate person-centered planning and meet federal and state regulations. This plan is the ISP.

The ISP reflects the presence and promotion of Everyday Lives Principles in a person’s life and addresses the full range of the person’s assessed needs as identified in ODP’s statewide needs assessment and in other written assessments. Ultimately, the ISP must be meaningful in the context of a person’s life