The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) is committed to assisting member state agencies in building and improving effective, efficient, and person-centered systems of services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families.
Our Technical Assistance (TA) is a core component of our member support, providing state I/DD directors and their staff with targeted expertise, resources, and collaborative opportunities to navigate complex policy and operational challenges.
Requesting Technical Assistance
NASDDDS member states can initiate a request for Technical Assistance by contacting, NASDDDS Director of Technical Assistance and Special Projects at Jzlockie@nasddds.org
Overview of Technical Assistance Services
Our member states benefit from a variety of formal and informal technical assistance options, all customized to their specific state needs. NASDDDS also makes intensive, deep-end technical assistance available through contracting opportunities when requested.
- Direct Consultation: One on one support and guidance from NASDDDS staff and subject matter experts on specific Medicaid Authorities, policy questions, programmatic design, or operational issues.
- Research: Providing research and analysis of federal policy and state best practices in service delivery.
- Networking & Peer Support: Facilitating connections with peers in other states to share successful strategies, lessons learned, and collaborative problem-solving.
Key Areas of Expertise
Our Technical Assistance can support your state agency across a broad range of I/DD system domains, including but not limited to:
| Area of Focus | Examples of Technical Assistance Provided |
| Medicaid Policy | Guidance on Medicaid policy, Medicaid authorities and Medicaid authority development. Providing consultation on drafting new or Medicaid authorities that includes ensuring compliance with federal rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Assisting with the creation or revision of service definitions. |
| Supporting People with Complex Needs | Guidance on integrating or coordinating DD services with other state systems, such as mental health/behavioral health services, to ensure comprehensive and continuous care for individuals with co-occurring conditions. |
| System Transformation | Support for continuing to build a person-centered community based system of supports and services and developing managed long term services and supports (MLTSS) for I/DD populations. |
| Self-Direction | Technical support for designing and operating self-directed service models, including guidance on financial management services, support brokerage, and individual budget development. |
| Quality & Outcomes | Implementation of quality assurance measures and development of performance-based contracting and utilizing data systems for improved service management and oversight. |
| Technology & Innovation | Guidance on implementing Enabling Technology and remote support models. |