dds

Department on Disability Services

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Defined Contribution Pension Plan

The District government's primary retirement plan for eligible employees first hired on or after October 1, 1987, is a "defined contribution" plan, with benefits based on 100% employer-provided contributions plus earnings over the course of the participant's working years. The District funds this plan; there is no employee contribution. The current employer-paid contribution is 5% of the base salary (5 .5% for Corrections Officers).

Employees must have one year of continuous service to participate, and they are fully vested in the Defined Contribution Pension Plan after five years of continuous service.

Person-Centered Thinking

Person-centered thinking is a philosophy behind service provision that supports positive control and self-direction of people’s own lives. DDS is working to implement this through training sessions and other agency wide initiatives.

Employment First Initiative

Two people clasping hand, one in wheelchair

Under the Employment First philosophy, competitive, integrated employment is the first and overwhelmingly preferred option for working-age youth and adults with disabilities.