DD Advocates

Who We Are

Developmental Disability Advocates has been planning, linking and advocating for individuals with developmental dissabilities in Jefferson County for 45+ years. Our services are funded by Jefferson County taxes and have assisted hundreds in our community.

Our Mission

The mission of Developmental Disability Advocates is to provide resources to create opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities in Jefferson County to live full and enriched lives.

Our Vision

The vision of Developmental Disability Advocates is that individuals with developmental disabilites live a life of their choice and are fully included in the community.

Core Values

Developmental Disability Advocates believes in the following Core Values and will adhere to these values in all that it does on behalf of individuals with disabilites:

Person-Centered

  • Respect & Dignity:  All individuals are treated with respect and dignity and their rights are ensured by persons providing them with services and supports.
  • Valued: All individuals are viewed holistically as valued members of their family and the community.
  • Choice:  Individuals and/or the support team design their services to enhance their lives and achieve their personal vision.
  • Quality Services:  Individuals and/or the support team determine the quality of services based on the outcomes experienced.

Financial Accountability

  • Management:  All public and private funds shall be administered with transparency and in full compliance with acceptable accounting standards.
  • Sustainability:  Developmental Disability Advocates' own financial status, along with those organizations it funds, shall have a strong viability for the short and long term.
  • Stewardship:  Developmental Disability Advocates shall utilize its available resources in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
  • Outcomes:  Providers seeking funding from Developmental Disability Advocates shall define and demonstrate their positive impact on the lives of individuals served.

Leadership

  • Staff Excellence:  the organization strives to recruit, hire, train, and retain employees with the best skill sets and provide opportunities for professional growth.
  • Board/Staff Partnership:  Board members and staff work together to fulfill the organization’s mission through open communication in a spirit of collaboration and consensus building based on trust and respect of each other’s roles and responsibilities.
  • Community Partnerships:  Developmental Disability Advocates facilitates a service delivery system that maximizes coordination to increase effectiveness and efficiency without infringing on individual choice.
  • Creativity / Innovation: Developmental Disability Advocates will explore new service models and trends that represent best practice for consideration and implementation.

Our History

In the late 1960s, the State of Missouri passed legislation referred to as Chapter 205.968 through 205.972 of the Revised Missouri Statutes which permitted counties to establish a mill tax for the purpose of developing and expanding sheltered workshops, residential, and support services for their citizens with developmental disabilities.

In August of 1978, the voters of Jefferson County established the Jefferson County Commission for the Handicapped through the passage of Proposition S - "The Special Ones." On August 17, 1978, pursuant to Section 205.968 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, the Jefferson County Court County Commissioners established and appointed the first handicapped facilities board consisting of nine members, four board members related to handicapped persons and five members unrelated.

Through the passage of Proposition S, a 10-cent levy was assessed on each one hundred dollars of property evaluated. The funds collected from the 10-cent levy are used to develop community-based supports for developmentally disabled citizens of Jefferson County. In June 1980, the Jefferson County Commission for the Handicapped established a non-profit corporation: "Exceptional Ones, Inc." Exceptional Ones was established and administered by the Jefferson County Commission for the Handicapped (JCCH). The JCCH served as the board of directors for Exceptional Ones. The Director of Exceptional Ones reported directly to the Executive Director of the Jefferson County Commission for the Handicapped. The board of directors for the Jefferson County Commission for the Handicapped voted to change the name of Exceptional Ones, Inc. to "Developmental Services of Jefferson County, Inc." The name change was filed with the Secretary of State and became effective July 1, 1991.

In 1985, the 10-cent levy was rolled back to 6 cents as a result of reassessment. With the passage of Proposition H in 1988, the levy increased by 4 cents restoring the levy back to the original amount of 10 cents on each one hundred dollars of property evaluated.

In 2003, the JCCH Board of Directors voted to change the name to Jefferson County Developmental Disabilities Resource Board (JCDDRB). The name was changed to better reflect the individuals being served and the mission and purpose of the board.

In June of 2016, to be in compliance with Conflict-Free Case Management regulations, the board voted unanimously for a separation of the JCDDRB and NextStep for Life effective July 1, 2017.

In 2017, NextStep for Life and the JCDDRB officially separated and began operating under two different Board of Directors and Executive Leadership.

In 2018, JCDDRB officially changed the agency name to Developmental Disability Advocates.

In 2023, the agency consolidated two office locations into one, located at 901 Jeffco Executive Drive, Imperial, MO 63052.