Navigating support options for adults with developmental disabilities can feel overwhelming, especially for families who are just getting started. Fortunately, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provides a framework of approved services that ensure quality, accessibility, and person-centered care. These programs are designed to empower individuals by supporting independence, social engagement, and overall quality of life.
If you or a loved one qualifies for OPWDD services, working with certified agencies like Gateway Counseling Center is the key to accessing trusted, structured, and individualized care.
Community Habilitation (Com Hab)
One of the most flexible OPWDD-approved services is Community Habilitation. This program focuses on helping adults build skills that support greater independence within their community and home.
Support may include:
Learning to manage personal hygiene or cooking.
Developing money management or transportation skills.
Practicing social communication in real-world settings.
Unlike day programs, Com Hab can take place in the individual’s home or out in the community, with staff working one-on-one or in small groups. Gateway Counseling Center offers structured, compassionate Com Hab programs that align with the person’s Life Plan and goals.
Day Habilitation (Day Hab)
Day Habilitation programs provide structured daytime support that focuses on skill-building, personal development, and community involvement. Participants attend regularly scheduled sessions that combine learning, social interaction, and recreational activities.
Key components include:
Pre-vocational training.
Activities of daily living (ADLs).
Art, music, or fitness activities.
Volunteering in local organizations.
Some agencies, including Gateway Counseling Center, also offer Day Habilitation Without Walls, where services are provided in community-based settings rather than at a fixed facility—offering more dynamic and personalized experiences.
Supported Employment (SEMP)
Helping adults with developmental disabilities prepare for and maintain competitive employment is the goal of the Supported Employment (SEMP) program.
Services include:
Job readiness and resume-building.
On-the-job coaching and shadowing.
Assistance with job applications and interviews.
Ongoing support to help maintain employment long-term.
Through OPWDD’s Employment First initiative, programs like SEMP help individuals find meaningful roles in inclusive workplaces. Agencies like Gateway match participants with employers and provide them with continued coaching as they grow.
Respite Services
Caring for a loved one with developmental disabilities can be rewarding—but also physically and emotionally taxing. Respite services offer temporary relief to caregivers, giving them time to rest, attend to other responsibilities, or take care of their own well-being.
Respite can be:
With Office for People With Developmental Disabilities approval, families can trust that respite services are safe, regulated, and delivered by trained professionals. Gateway Counseling Center offers individualized respite care designed to meet both the family’s and individual’s needs.
Self-Direction
Self-Direction is a service model that allows individuals and their families to have more control over how their OPWDD budget is spent. Instead of enrolling in agency-delivered programs, individuals can choose to hire their own staff, manage their own schedules, and tailor services to their lifestyle.
Benefits of self-direction:
Greater autonomy and decision-making.
Choice in hiring staff and support team members.
Customized schedules, services, and goals.
Agencies like Gateway can support those who choose self-direction by helping with fiscal management, staff training, and service planning.
Final Thoughts
The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities provides a vital support system for adults who need structured, compassionate, and life-enriching care. Through a wide array of services—from employment and housing to daily skill-building and recreation—individuals can thrive in the community, pursue independence, and achieve personal fulfillment.
Working with an OPWDD-approved agency like Gateway Counseling Center ensures that you or your loved one receives high-quality, person-centered services backed by state standards. Whether you’re just beginning the process or looking to expand existing supports, the right team makes all the difference.
Ready to take the next step? Reach out to Gateway to explore your OPWDD service options today.
