More Support Available for Missourians with Developmental Disabilities

Jefferson City, MO – Some Missourians with developmental disabilities will now be able to receive services while living at home, thanks to a new county, state and federal partnership.

The program will provide up to $12,000 per year per person for 470 disabled Missourians in 37 counties, including several in the Kansas City region.

Roger Garlich, with the State Department of Mental Health, says the program includes about 18 services.

"It has services in it like dental services, employment related services, temporary residential for relief of caregivers, behavior management training," says Garlich.

Garlich says he hopes more Missouri counties will participate in the future. Those taking part contributed $1.5 million, which was matched by the state in order to draw down more than $5 million from Washington.

The program begins enrolling developmentally disabled clients Friday, October 1st.