Department of Mental Health
What is the Department of Mental Health?
The Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities, has a mission to improve the lives of Missourians with Developmental Disabilities through supports and services that foster self-determination.
Helpful Tip: The Department of Mental Health is sometimes referred to as DMH or Regional Office.
If you want to use programs and services which assist you in living independently and productively, DMH may be able to help.
If determined eligible, you will be assigned a Service Coordinator who will help you develop an Individual Support Plan which will identify what you are eligible for and assist you in accessing services.
Your Service Coordinator will give you the information and guidance about various programs and resource throughout the community allowing you to make informed choices.
Steps to Get Started
1 • Contact Regional Office
You can click here to find your local Regional Office.
Talk to an intake worker.
Complete the application provided by Regional Office and send it back.
2 • Disability Eligibility
To be determined eligible by disability you must have a developmental disability attributed to:
Intellectual disability
Cerebral palsy
Epilepsy
Head injury
Autism
Learning disability related to a brain dysfunction
Any other mental or physical impairment which occurs before age 22 expected to continue indefinitely.
Must have a lifelong extended duration.
Must show substantial functional limitations in 2 or more major life activities:
Self-care
Language development--receptive and expressive
Learning
Self-direction
Capacity for independent living or economic self-sufficiency
Mobility
3 • Financial Eligibility
To be determined financially eligible you must be Medicaid eligible.
Click here to learn about Medicaid.
If you're Medicaid eligible you'll get Support Coordination. If you're not Medicaid eligible you'll get Information and Referral.
If Found Eligible
Support Coordination
You're assigned a Support Coordinator who assists with:
Advocacy
Information/referrals
Interventions
In-home support teams
Behavioral assessments
Crisis intervention teams
Individual Support Plan
Your Support Coordinator works with you to develop an Individual Support Plan or ISP. In this process you should:
Define outcomes
Identify service/support needs
Develop an action plan
Explore natural supports
Make referrals to other agency resources
Obtain service authorization
Identify your Priority of Need (PON)
Support Options
You may benefit from any of the following support options:
Self-Direction Supports
In-Home
Crisis Intervention
Autism Projects
Crisis and Stabilization services through Habilitation Services
Waiver Services
If you are found eligible for services through the Department of Mental Health, you may also qualify for home and community-based waiver services. Click on the buttons below to learn what waivers have to offer. Ask your Support Coordinator about eligibility for waiver services.
If Found Ineligible
If found ineligible for supports through the Department of Mental Health, reach out to a Family Navigator, for assistance connecting to other resources.