Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
We provide services to anyone four years of age and older who lives in Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, or Walker Counties and who is in need of Mental Health and Addictive Disease Treatment.
This is a CARF International accredited program designed to promote independent advancement for persons with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). In keeping with the agency’s mission to serve and enhance the lives of every member of our community, this program offers many opportunities for those with I/DD.
With over 40 years of experience, the IDD program has an outstanding reputation due to its commitment to providing individualized and community-based support and services. The program provides year-round, quality-driven social, recreational, vocational, and programs.
Through a strength-based approach, a team of dedicated professionals assists individuals and families to achieve goals. Using this process, the team helps each person discover and reach their hopes and dreams for the future. Emphasis is placed on building self-advocacy skills, confidence, and independence.
We recognize that individuals are unique in their strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences. Our person-centered program offers many opportunities for individuals to realize their goals and reach their optimum potential.
The goal of our program is to achieve independence, productivity, and integration into the community by receiving the following services with Bridge Health:
Community Access Individual
Creating social capital is achieved when individuals enjoy access to community resources and important connections with others. Our one-to-one Community Access Services are designed to satisfy an individual’s personal preferences for an engaged community experience. Our goal is to improve the socialization and networking capabilities of individuals, along with developing the skills needed for self-sufficient utilization of resources found in the community. Furthermore, our services provide mentoring and training to assist people in honing their adaptive skills, thereby enabling active community involvement outside of their homes.
Day Program
With locations in Chickamauga and Summerville, our day programs offer engaging activities throughout the year, including social, recreational, vocational, and educational activities. We embrace a person-centered approach in which we strive to achieve an equilibrium between the needs of the individual and what is important for their growth and development.
PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System)
The PAES Lab provides exploration through hands-on experience, helping individuals identify a job that fits their unique skills and interests. The Lab creates a simulated environment where individuals receive guided practice to help them build problem-solving skills, identify areas of need, and remove barriers to success. It also allows them to experience setbacks in a safe environment and learn how to overcome them. Individuals who participate in PAES gain a thorough knowledge of many job skills, have a better understanding of the real working world, and are prepared for success in community employment.
Residential Host Homes
Bridge Health works in tandem with residential host homes to provide personalized services and living assistance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, taking into account their needs, abilities, and health conditions. The family-oriented, nurturing atmosphere of these homes creates environments where individuals can cultivate interests and develop positive social relationships while taking part in everyday community activities with others.
Supported Employment
Bridge Health’s IDD Supported Employment Program partners with GA Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to serve job seekers in our four-county area who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Key components of the Supported Employment program are Job Development, Job Coaching, and Ongoing Support, all designed to help persons with disabilities secure and maintain the employment of their choice. We consider strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences as we provide person-centered, individualized support through each step of the process. It is our belief that working contributes significantly to one’s overall satisfaction with life, and having a job encourages the development of true community connections. Our goal is to see that all individuals with I/DD who want to work are included in the fabric of their communities through achieving employment that is meaningful and rewarding.
Eligibility Information
According to the Office of Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD):
- Have an intellectual disability since birth or before age 18, or another closely related condition since birth or before age 22, which requires similar services to those needed by people with an intellectual disability
- Be at risk of going into an institution for people with intellectual disabilities if you do not get the services you need in your community.
Application Process
Adults (ages 18 and up)
Click here or call the DBHDD Region 1 Field Office toll-free at 877.217.4462 to complete an application for I/DD services.
In addition, an application for Family Support Services may also need to be submitted.
Children (ages 4-17)
A Family Support Services application will be required to determine eligibility.
If you need assistance with these applications, please call 706.375.2142.
