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Developmental Disabilities


The Developmental Disability Program at Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare provides specialized services to meet the unique needs of those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Our program serves children and adults throughout Clatsop County, partnering with service providers and government agencies to offer the education and resources needed to help give every member of our community the opportunity to live well.

Eligibility and Screening

Every referral is carefully screened for eligibility according to State of Oregon guidelines. Not sure if you or a loved one qualifies for developmental disability services? Here are a few questions to get you started:

  • Is the person living with an intellectual or physical impairment or combination of intellectual and physical impairments?
  • Did the disability first appear before the person was 22 years of age, or 18 years of age for an intellectual disability?
  • Does the disability directly affect the brain and has continued, or is expected to continue, indefinitely?
  • Does the disability cause significant impairment of daily living skills such as, but not limited to, communication, grooming, dressing, safety or social skills?

To find out more, or to see if you or your loved one qualifies for services, please call the Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare Developmental Disability Program at (503) 325-5722 to schedule an appointment with an eligibility specialist.

Case Management

Case managers, called Services Coordinators, work directly with clients and families to identify needs, define goals, and connect clients with appropriate services and resources.  Services include client advocacy, access to brokerage services, connection to in-home services and personal support workers, referrals to residential services, and resources for employment and/or alternatives to employment. 

Advisory Committee

The Developmental Disability Advisory Committee functions in an advisory capacity to the Department of Human Services on program development, planning, monitoring and funding issues. The committee members include recipients of services, advocates, professionals in the field, key referral sources, provider representatives and lay citizens.

For more information on the Advisory Committee, or to find out how you can participate, call the Clatsop Behavioral Healthcare Developmental Disability Program at (503) 325-5722.

Protective Services and Abuse Investigation

Individuals living with disabilities are at a higher risk of being a victim of abuse than those not living with disabilities, including physical and sexual abuse, and may have difficulty finding help after abuse has occurred. The Developmental Disability Program takes a proactive approach to prevent abuse and/or neglect through our Protective Services and Abuse Investigation Program. We partner with the State of Oregon to ensure background checks and mandatory training for all providers, regular audits of direct care providers, prompt screening and investigation of all reports of suspected abuse, and coordination with law enforcement when a suspected crime has been committed.

Protective services are provided to all individuals with developmental disabilities who currently or have previously received services through the Developmental Disability Program.

If you believe an individual is currently being hurt or is in danger right now, immediately call 911. 

If you suspect abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an adult living with disabilities may be occurring, please call the Developmental Disability Program at (503) 325-5722 and share your concerns.

To report suspected abuse of a child, please call DHS Child Welfare at 1-855-503-SAFE.

You can also report any suspected abuse in Oregon by calling the statewide hotline at 1-855-503-SAFE.

If you believe the situation is an emergency, immediately call 911.