Oregon CDDP vs Brokerage: Choosing Adult Disability Services

The Two Case Management Models

When a young adult in Oregon becomes eligible for developmental disability services through the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS), they face a structural choice that shapes how their adult supports will be coordinated for years. The two options are a county-run Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP) and a private Support Services Brokerage.

Both deliver case management under the same state-funded Individual Support Plan (ISP). Both use the Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA) to determine service hours. The difference is operational philosophy and what kinds of living situations each model supports.

CDDPs are administered by county governments or the Department of Human Services. They assign a Services Coordinator who manages the full continuum of residential and community supports — including 24-hour residential care, group homes, adult foster homes, and supported living arrangements. CDDPs serve individuals of all ages, including children, and they're the only entry point for initial state-level eligibility determinations.

Brokerages are private nonprofits governed by boards composed largely of self-advocates and families. They assign a Personal Agent instead of a Services Coordinator. Brokerages serve adults 18 and older who live in their own homes or family homes, and they're grounded in self-determination principles — the client chooses, arranges, and monitors their own providers and supports.

How to Apply for ODDS Eligibility

The pathway always starts with the county CDDP, regardless of which model you ultimately choose. The CDDP conducts the initial eligibility screening and determination. Once eligibility is established, the CDDP Services Coordinator can refer the individual to a regional brokerage if that's the preferred model.

Eligibility for ODDS services requires documentation of an intellectual or developmental disability that originated before age 22 and is expected to continue indefinitely. The CDDP will request medical records, psychoeducational evaluations, and functional assessments. Starting this process while the student is still in school — ideally around age 16 or 17 — establishes the administrative foundation before school entitlement ends.

When the CDDP Is the Stronger Choice

Choose the CDDP when the young adult needs or may need residential supports beyond the family home. If there's any possibility of a group home, supported living arrangement, or adult foster home placement, the CDDP is the only model that coordinates those residential options. The CDDP is also the right choice when the family prefers a single agency handling everything from residential placement to employment supports to day services.

Rural families often have fewer practical options here. Some rural counties have only one local brokerage, while others rely primarily on the county CDDP for adult case management.

When the Brokerage Is the Stronger Choice

Choose the brokerage when the young adult lives at home or in their own apartment and the family wants maximum control over provider selection and service design. The brokerage model is built for people who want to direct their own supports — picking their own Personal Support Workers, scheduling their own community activities, and managing their own budgets with guidance from a Personal Agent rather than a coordinator.

Portland Metro area families have the most brokerage options, including Community Pathways, Inclusion Inc., and Independence Northwest. The self-determination philosophy works well for young adults with strong self-advocacy skills or families who are actively involved in coordinating services.

The ISP and Choice Advising

Under both models, the case manager has a legal duty of "Choice Advising." They must provide a standardized, unbiased list of qualified local providers and personal support workers, helping families compare options without making the decision for them. Every individual's plan is documented in an annual Individual Support Plan (ISP) established through a person-centered planning process.

The ISP is reviewed annually. If circumstances change — a new job, a move, or a shift in support needs — ask the CDDP or Brokerage how to request an amendment and what timelines apply.

The Oregon IEP Transition to Adulthood Guide includes a CDDP vs. Brokerage selection worksheet that walks through the decision factors for your specific county and living situation.

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