Autism Delaware Adult Services POW&R Program
DDDS and the Lifespan Waiver get most of the attention when Delaware families plan for adult services, but Autism Delaware operates programs that fill specific gaps the state system does not cover — particularly around employment, social connection, and family navigation during the transition years.
The POW&R Program
POW&R (Productive Opportunities for Work and Recreation) is Autism Delaware's adult employment and community participation initiative. The program serves adults on the autism spectrum and focuses on two things the formal waiver system often struggles with: meaningful daytime structure for individuals who are not yet in competitive employment, and direct support from staff who specialize in autism.
POW&R participants work in small groups on community-based projects, vocational skill building, and social activities. The program operates in partnership with local employers and community organizations, and its structure is more flexible than traditional day habilitation — participants rotate between work activities, community outings, and independent living skill sessions rather than spending the full day at a single facility.
For families whose young adult is DDDS-eligible but waiting for a funded waiver slot with a provider, POW&R may be a meaningful bridge program while the family navigates provider capacity. Ask Autism Delaware how the current program is funded and whether an active Lifespan Waiver slot is required.
Family Support Staff
Autism Delaware assigns family support staff to help newly diagnosed families and families in transition navigate the state agency landscape. These are not case managers in the DDDS sense — they are peer-level navigators with direct experience parenting or supporting someone on the spectrum.
Family support staff help with practical tasks: identifying which DDDS office handles intake in your county, understanding the difference between a Community Navigator and a Support Coordinator, connecting with respite providers, and interpreting letters from SSA or DMMA. They are especially valuable for families who are managing the age-18 transition and dealing with multiple agencies simultaneously.
Contact is free, but some Family Support services require a formal referral. Families can reach Autism Delaware directly through their website or by calling its main office to confirm the current intake route.
How Autism Delaware Connects With the Formal System
Autism Delaware is also a credentialed Medicaid waiver provider in Delaware. This means they deliver some Lifespan Waiver services — community participation, employment support, and social skills programming — under contract with DDDS. A young adult whose person-centered plan includes employment or community support goals could be matched with Autism Delaware as their provider agency.
The distinction matters for families choosing providers after waiver enrollment. When the DDDS Support Coordinator presents a list of available providers, Autism Delaware is one of the options for specific service categories. Their specialization in autism can be a better fit for individuals whose support needs are shaped primarily by communication differences, sensory processing, and social interaction challenges.
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The Arc of Delaware
For families whose young adult needs broader intellectual or developmental disability services, The Arc of Delaware provides a parallel set of services — supported employment, vocational training, and residential property management — through its own provider contracts with DDDS. The Arc is one of Delaware's longest-standing disability service providers and manages several group homes and day programs across the state.
Both Autism Delaware and The Arc can serve the same individual if their person-centered plan includes services that both agencies provide. The case manager coordinates between providers.
The Delaware SSI at 18 & Adult Disability Benefits Guide covers the full provider landscape — how to evaluate agencies, request specific providers in the person-centered plan, and coordinate Pathways to Employment with waiver-funded services.
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