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Children’s Services

DBHIDS understands the earlier we provide supports, the faster we are able to provide professional care as a community, and assist children in participating in their communities. We do this by partnering with city agencies, including the criminal justice, housing, school, and child welfare systems, as well as the general public with behavioral health issues, the faster we are able to provide professional care as a community.

This requires paying attention to social determinants of health, which include the availability of support, experiences of trauma, access to behavioral health care, educational and economic opportunities, and the social and physical environment. We do this by partnering with city agencies including the criminal justice, housing, school, and child welfare systems, as well as the behavioral health treatment system and the general public.

Early Intervention Services

The Philadelphia Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program is an entitlement program for infants and toddlers between the ages of birth to 3 years of age who have or are at risk for having a developmental delay. IDS coordinates this program in Philadelphia County and reports to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning who also provides the funding for this program. Anyone can make a referral to Early Intervention and all referred children will receive a developmental assessment and many will also receive a multidisciplinary evaluation. Eligible children will be assigned a service coordinator and all Early Intervention Services are delivered at no cost to the family.
Learn More About the Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program

Transition Planning

The purpose of Transition Planning for individuals with an intellectual disAbility, is to facilitate a successful transition for young people from school to adult life. While it is essential that transition planning occur for all students 14 and older, there are things families can do to prepare their child for a successful transition throughout the various stages of their lives.
Learn More About the Various Resources Available

Visit the IDS Resources Page to learn about the additional array of resources available for children with intellectual disabilities.

Getting Started

What to Bring When You Meet with Us

If you are eligible, a registration appointment will be scheduled at IDS. You will be asked to bring:

• Personal and demographic information
• Social Security card
• Medicaid or Access card
• Birth certificate
• Any supporting medical or psychiatric evaluations

IDS will request that you provide a completed physical exam form to the Supports Coordinator.

If you are not receiving Medical Assistance and are eligible, we will provide you with information on how to enroll.

The Process

Step 1: Meet with a Registration Specialist
The Registration Specialist will complete forms with you and your family. This includes the waiting list form, application for waiver services (if applicable), services preference, voter registration, and a social summary.

Step 2: Discussing Services
The registration specialist will help you begin to plan by discussing services you may need and offer you a choice of a supports coordination organization (SCO).
More information about SCOs

Step 3: Eligibility Notification
Within 10 days after the registration process is complete, you will receive an eligibility determination letter. Your rights in the mediation and appeal process will be included in the letter.

Step 4: Refer to an SCO and Develop an ISP
Within two weeks later you are referred to the SCO, you will be assigned to a supports coordinator. The supports coordinator will help you develop an individual support plan (ISP), as well as identify, locate, coordinate, and monitor community and system services and supports. Please note that you can transfer your SCO at any time you are not satisfied with services.

Additional information about state-funded benefits are available on the Compass website.

My City, My Place

Philadelphia Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS) is an administrative entity under contract to Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to administer services in Philadelphia. IDS works with service providers to offer quality supports and services so individuals will have choices in their lives, meaningful relationships, and participation in their community as valued citizens.

• Philadelphia IDS Overview
• Contact Information
• Learn About IDS Resources

We at IDS keep the emphasis on ability, rather than disability, and so we use the big “A” and little “d” on our letterhead, signage, and websites. As part of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Srvices, our acronym is DBHIDS.

Respect and dignity towards all our citizens is one of the ways a great nation will be judged. The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services is pleased to support the growing movement to eliminate stigma, and stop using the r-word.

People and their family members want to have an everyday life that is typical of the general population, and Philadelphia DBHIDS supports these values. To learn more about the Values, Beliefs, and Guidelines of Philadelphia IDS, use the links below.

• Everyday Lives: Making It Happen
• Beliefs
• Values
• Guiding Principles

IDS Events

You can keep track of IDS events by following the link below. Be sure to keep up to date on everything that’s happening in the city and within the IDS community.

IDS Calendar and Events

Our Services

Children’s Services

Adult Services

Our Initiatives

Employment 1st, Employment Now!

LifeSharing

Everyone Communicates

Resources

• IDS Service Directory

Connect with IDS