Sponsor of the Month-Developmental Disabilities Systems, Inc. DDSI

BY MARIA SMIETANA

For more than 30 years, one Hancock County family has been a pioneer in providing community-based services to Hoosiers with developmental disabilities. It all started with Bob Dugger, who had an intellectually disabled son. Bob naturally became concerned about the care his son would receive as he progressed through his adult years. In the late ‘80s, only a few years after the Medicaid Waiver became law in Indiana, Bob opened New Adventures, which provided residential services in a group home setting.

By 2003, Bob’s other son, Doug, had grown the business to 16 group homes and, with a business partner, opened Developmental Disabilities Systems Inc. (DDSi), a behavior support program serving individuals throughout the state of Indiana.

Today, DDSi is a family supports waiver (FSW), community integration and habilitation (CIH) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) Medicaid provider offering behavior support and participant assistance and care (PAC). The company also offers day habilitation (small group fouron-one or one-on-one) through their community integration-based program, New Adventures 4 You. This service is available to individuals with the CIH or FS waiver.

Doug’s children, Allison Davis and DJ Dugger, who grew up in Hancock County and graduated from New Palestine High School, both joined DDSi and support their dad in managing all the services the company provides. DJ was more interested in the business side, while Allison said she fell in love with the clinical work on her first day as a direct support professional (DSP) in a group home. She went on to become a behavior consultant with a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. She hopes to add ABA to DDSi’s services to complete the family’s vision for a behavior center

where individuals with special needs can grow up and live their lives in a safe and supportive atmosphere.

“DDSi is a team, and we serve [our clients] well,” Allison said. “When an individual becomes part of our program, they become part of our family. We do an incredible job of being focused on what the individual wants out of their life and the goals they have in place.” She adds, “Behavior is communication. Listen to what it tells you.”

When you choose DDSi, you also get an advocate. DDSi serves clients ranging from 3 years old to 89 years old.

DDSi gives back to the community by offering many free events throughout the year, including their Easter Trunk Hop, Monster Mash, Pool Party, Prom and Santa Meet and Greets. The company also supports Special Olympics of Hancock County and FUSE Inc. “We also do an event with Special Needs Living magazine in January called The New Year Bash,” Allison added. We support Special Needs Living because it offers a way to get information to families that need support but are not sure where to go. It’s a great addition to the disability community!”

Business Contact Information Allison Davis — Director of Operations DDSi/New Adventures 4 You 317-364-2885 www.ddsi-in.com allison.davis@ddsi-in.com

Adult Day Habilitation • Behavior Services Participant Assistance & Care

MAKE CHOICES • GAIN SKILLS • CUSTOM EXPERIENCES Give us a call today to learn more about being involved.

ddsi-in.com • info@ddsi-in.com • 317-477-8240 5999 W Memory Lane Greenfield, IN 46140