If you believe a family member has an intellectual disability or a related disability such as autism, please call the intake and referral line toll-free at 1-800-289-7012. If a head injury or spinal cord injury is suspected the consumer or the family member can contact 1-866-867-3864. This toll-free line is staffed during normal business hours; however messages can be left at any time with calls returned in the next two business days. Once they make the referral they will be given a choice of an intake provider, for which MaxAbilities is an intake provider. If the applicant meets screening criteria, he/she will be provided with a list of available case management or early intervention (CM/EI) providers. The family also has the option of contacting MaxAbilities directly at 803-628-5999 to assist with the intake process from the beginning.

You may also complete the initial screening tool online: www.ddsn.sc.gov/apply

A Case Manager will guide you once you complete the eligibility process with the intake worker. Once your family member is eligible for services and you choose your case management provider, that person will help you determine the services that you need and will assist you in applying for those services. Your Case Manager will provide you with a list of helpful and commonly used resources.

Respite services are available to families who have a higher level of need. Respite services are available through local family support funding or the CS, HASCI and ID/RD Waiver programs for those who qualify. Contact your Case Manager for more information.

Family Support Funds provide assistance to families in caring for a DSN eligible person in order to avoid out-of-home placement. This service is directed toward individuals and families who can care for themselves or their family member at home, but incur additional expenses due to the person’s disability. Family Support Funds is not an entitlement program or a general public assistance benefit. Allocation of funding will be prioritized to assist individuals and families with the greatest needs that, if not provided are likely to result in out-of-home placement. Financial information is required when applying for Family Support Funds in order to demonstrate that the cost of services and supports is above the families’ ability to pay and that the family meets established income guidelines for this funding. However, funds for respite are not income tested. Family Support Funds are time limited. Persons participating in any Home and Community Based Program are not eligible for Family Support Funds. Family Support Funds are most frequently used for respite, medical care and assistive technology needs. For more information and availability of Family Support Funds, please contact your Early Interventionist, Case Manager or Family Supports Director at 803-628-5999.

A Waiver is a provision in the Federal Medicaid guidelines that allows people who meet specific criteria the opportunity to receive services and supports that enable them to live in their community or at home with their families. There are four types of waivers administered by SCDDSN: Intellectual Disabilities/Related Disabilities (ID/RD) Waiver, Head and Spinal Cord Injuries (HASCI) Waiver and the Community Supports Waiver (CSW).

Section 1915(c) of the Federal Social Security Act enables the SC Department of Health and Human services to collaborate with the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (SCDDSN) to provide Home and Community-Based Waiver programs.

Waiver participants can receive Medicaid-funded services and supports in their own home and other community settings instead of in a nursing facility or institution. The cost of Medicaid Waiver services must be less expensive than or equal to the costs of institutional care.

Contact your Case Manager to be placed on the waiting list for the waiver program for which you best qualify.

Yes. There are waiting lists for all of the waiver programs, residential programs and day service programs. For those needing residential services, the waiting lists are prioritized by those who have the most critical need for service. The HASCI Waiver and ID/RD waiver programs have a critical and regular waiting list for services. Slots are provided off of the critical waiting list before moving to the regular waiting list. The CSW and PDD Waiver waiting lists do not differentiate between critical and regular lists.

In the past, the state set a lower level of case management, call it “Level 2 Service Coordination”. With this designation there is no requirement for bi-monthly contact, 6 month plan reviews and annual plan development. Although this designation no longer exists in this form, individuals without an active “need” do not qualify for targeted case management. However, as needs arise, you need to call your case manager, Director of Family Supports or our switchboard to let us know your situation has changed. This will begin the assessment and planning process.

As part of the intake process, records are gathered to determine the type and onset of disability for which you are applying for services. At times additional testing is recommended to determine if you qualify for services. For those pursuing eligibility under the Autism Division, if an autism evaluation is needed from the CARE Center, there is typically a 6-12 month wait for these evaluations.

Yes, please refer to the job posting list on this website.

Applications can be submitted at the Administration Building located at 7900 Park Place Road in York between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. You will be asked to take a survey which should last up to 20 minutes after you complete your application. A candidate can also apply at the SC Workforce Center on Fincher Road in Rock Hill. You will be asked to come to the administrative office to complete your survey. You can also fill out a job inquiry, which is available on this website.

Written correspondence will be provided to determine if a candidate will be considered further after an application has been processed. If there is an address change after an application is placed, the correspondence will be returned to the Agency.

Many of the part-time positions are weekend (Saturday & Sunday) – either 8am–8pm or 8pm–8am. There are a few part-time positions during the week between the core hours of 8:30 am and 3:30 pm. For openings, please refer to our job listings.

Employees applying for positions are required to attend training if offered employment. For all positions, except Respite or Temporary Community employees, there is a 90 day training program. The program for Temporary Community employees is shorter and can be completed within the 1st month of training.

Yes – once hired, you will have access to the training calendar which is located within the employee section of this website.

YCBDSN’s training requires classroom attendance. There will be “specialty” training available online from time to time, but the orientation process is all classroom.

Yes, it is paid at a training wage.

Dependent upon the classification, the following benefits are offered:

Temporary positions – no benefits are offered other than those required; the employee can opt to participate in the retirement program upon hire.
Part-time positions – employees in this classification are required to participate in retirement.
Full time positions – in addition to retirement, employees in this classification are eligible for all benefits to include insurance programs, leave/holiday, and 401K all of which have waiting periods. There are required benefits that would apply to all positions.

Positions and qualifications vary. Entry level positions require a High School Diploma/GED. Other positions require either a 2 or 4 year degree (or one is preferred). Experience is required for supervisory positions. All positions require a valid SC/NC driver’s licence.

All employees hired or volunteering are to successfully meet all screening requirements prior to reporting to work. They include: 2 work references, Central Registry Checks, CMS Excluded List Checks and background checks, i.e. South Carolina Law Enforcement (SLED) checks, background checks from states lived in within the past 10 years. In some cases FBI checks are performed. The employee/volunteer provides the level of education required for the position. A physical, drug screen, 2 step tuberculin skin test, copy of valid driver’s license and driving record are required. Other items are required when the employee reports.

Yes.

Some majors that interest the Family Supports service area include Social Work, Elementary Education, Special Education, etc. Residential & Vocational Support Program service areas utilize interns with majors in Human Services, i.e. Psychology, Sociology, etc. Other service areas where interns can be utilized are Finance, Nursing and Human Resources.

Yes.

We offer an excellent benefits package, service awards, and employee recognition functions. Some of our employees are students and can only work certain days; there are temporary positions that may work better with their schedules. Employees who are interested in advancing within the Agency and meet necessary qualifications can discuss opportunities with supervision for succession within the Agency.

It varies – most are unpaid.