About CSS

History
Community Support Services, Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization under Maryland law and Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. CSS was established in June 1994 as a non-profit corporation committed to providing quality, community-based services to children and adults disabled by autism and other severe developmental disabilities. The founders and staff have long-term experience developing and operating innovative programs and support services for individuals on the autism spectrum. Services delivered to each individual are tailored and are intended both to build networks within the service delivery system and to strengthen relationships among the individual, the family, and members of the community.

CSS began its mission by working collaboratively with individuals, families, and other lead agencies to design and implement new models of service. CSS has developed effective working relationships with state and local government agencies; other human services providers; experienced, licensed consultants & clinicians; private businesses & entities; and consumers in order to pursue its mission.

Specifically, CSS partnered with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) to develop the following support services for adults: Supported Employment, 1994; Residential, 1994; Day Habilitation, 2005; and Individual Support Services/Community Supported Living Arrangement in 1995 and 2003, respectively. These services enabled adults to successfully transition from out-of-county and out-of-state facilities back to their home communities.

About CSS

History

CSS also collaborated with state and local agencies responsible for children. CSS began providing DDA-funded Family Support Services in 1995, which assisted families with needed supports to maintain in their homes their children with severe developmental disabilities. Children's services provided included after-school programs, summer camps, environmental accommodations, specialized equipment and in-home support. The Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families, working through the Local Coordinating Council, facilitated collaboration among state agencies responsible for children with intensive needs who were in out-of-state placements or at risk for such placements. In 1995, as a provider, CSS worked closely with the OCYF, other lead agencies, the Maryland State Department of Education, and the DHR in the State’s locally administered Systems Reform Initiative to provide wraparound services to Montgomery County children and their families in order to return and divert out-of-state placements. CSS partnered with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the State-established Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families to develop creative models of service, including job coaching, residential support, community instruction, and behavior management, for students with severely challenging behaviors. CSS’ staff worked with the disability services unit of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to provide in-home supports, recreational programs and transition services to youth with severe developmental disabilities. In 2005, CSS became an approved provider under the Maryland Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

CSS' growth has been spurred by its commitment to meeting the needs of the surrounding community. As a result, CSS has become one of the leading providers of specialized care to individuals with autism and other complex developmental delays in Montgomery County.

Admissions Criteria
ADMISSIONS POLICY
Community Support Services, Inc. admits individuals of any political or religious opinion or affiliation, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual preference, economic standing, physical disability, or mental handicap to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to children, students, and adults. It does not discriminate on the basis of political or religious opinion or affiliation, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual preference, economic standing, physical disability, or mental handicap in administration of its admissions policies, employment and hiring procedures, educational policies, residential policies, supported employment policies, scholarships, loan programs, athletic recreation programs, and other school or service-administered programs.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ADULT SERVICES
Requirements for admission to Community Support Services, Inc. adult programs are that individuals satisfy the following criteria: be 21-years-old or older; be eligible for DDA placement; exhibit a need for CSS services due to behaviors related to the disabilities of autism spectrum disorder, mental retardation, or other developmental disabilities; be presently unable to function in a less restrictive environment; and that either the individual or his/her guardian/advocate/surrogate has visited the program and endorses the CSS philosophy. CSS supports extremely low income level individuals, as all consumers in the CSS program are Social Security or Social Security Income recipients and use these entitlements as their primary source of income. Adults referred to CSS by the Developmental Disabilities Administration, or other agencies, persons of low income and individuals in crisis are given priority for admission.

ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Requirements for admission to CSS youth and children’s programs are that individuals satisfy the following criteria: be between the ages of five and 21; exhibit a need for CSS services due to behaviors related to the disabilities of autism spectrum disorder, mental retardation, or other developmental disabilities; be presently unable to function in a less restrictive environment; and that either the individual or his/her guardian/advocate/surrogate has visited the program and endorses the CSS philosophy. Most children are referred by public agencies responsible for children. Some families are self-referred and, therefore, fund their child’s program privately. CSS offers scholarships and tuition fees assistance to low-income level families and also offers assistance to low-income level families in obtaining financial assistance from the DDA and other social services agencies.

For more information about CSS, please contact us.