Understanding the Language of Disability Services in Oregon
If you’re new to Oregon’s developmental disabilities system, you’ve probably already encountered a wall of acronyms — ODDS, ISP, DSP, OHP, and more. If you’re wondering what they all mean, you’re not alone. The system has its own language, and learning it takes time.
This glossary is here to help. Whether you’re just starting to explore services for individuals or you’ve been navigating the system for years, we hope this makes things a little clearer.
If you have questions that aren’t answered here, contact us anytime. We’re always happy to help families find their footing.
Organizations
ACC — Access Community Care
That’s us. Access Community Care provides home and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Portland metro area and surrounding counties.
Brokerage
A nonprofit organization that helps eligible adults coordinate developmental disability services. Brokerages employ Personal Agents who help individuals access supports and choose service providers.
CDDP — Community Developmental Disabilities Program
The local agency in each Oregon county responsible for coordinating developmental disability services. These agencies employ Service Coordinators who help both adults and children access supports and choose service providers.
ODDS — Office of Developmental Disabilities Services
The state office within Oregon DHS that administers developmental disability services, sets policy, and oversees providers like ACC.
OHP — Oregon Health Plan
Oregon’s Medicaid program. Many developmental disability services, including those provided by ACC, are funded through OHP/Medicaid. Get in touch to learn more about our programs and eligibility.
People
DSP — Direct Support Professional
The person who provides day-to-day support to individuals. At ACC, DSPs work directly with participants in their homes and communities.
Job Developer
This person assists participant job seekers in developing skills needed to obtain and maintain competitive, integrated employment in the community. They assist in connecting employers with participant job seekers to find the ideal match between the employer’s needs and the participant’s skills and interests.
Job Coach
The person who provides ongoing support after a job has been obtained to ensure that the participant is successful in maintaining their employment.
PA – SC — Personal Agent / Service Coordinator
These professionals help coordinate developmental disability services. If you receive services through a Brokerage, you’ll work with a Personal Agent (PA). If you receive services through a County Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP), you’ll work with a Service Coordinator (SC). They help develop your ISP, authorize services, and connect you with providers like ACC.
PSW — Personal Support Worker
An independent provider who delivers in-home supports directly to an eligible individual through Oregon’s developmental disabilities system. Unlike a DSP, a PSW is not employed by a provider agency.
Plans and Documents
IEP — Individualized Education Program
A legally required document for school-age children with disabilities that outlines their educational goals, services, and accommodations.
IR — Incident Report
A formal document completed when something unexpected or concerning occurs during service delivery — such as an injury, a medication error, or a behavioral incident.
ISP — Individual Support Plan
A personalized plan developed collaboratively with individuals, their PA, and their providers. It outlines their goals, the services they’re authorized to receive, and how those services will be delivered.
K Plan
Oregon’s Medicaid waiver that funds many in-home and community-based developmental disability services.
Medicaid Waiver
A program that allows eligible individuals to receive long-term support services in their homes and communities instead of institutional settings.
PBSP — Positive Behavior Support Plan
A personalized guide that helps individuals thrive by treating behavior as a form of communication. It gives families and providers practical tools to create a supportive, stress-free environment where the participant feels safe, understood, and empowered.
RIT – Risk Identification Tool (or Risk Tracking Information depending on county usage)
A document used to communicate important health and safety risks that providers should know before services begin.
PSIT — Participant Specific Information Training
A training form completed by ACC staff that documents specific information about a participant — their preferences, routines, support needs, and any important health or safety considerations.
Nursing Delegation
When a registered nurse trains and authorizes a DSP to perform specific healthcare related tasks for a participant.
EI/ECSE
This means: Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education
ODDS Eligibility
Before receiving many developmental disability services in Oregon, individuals must first be determined eligible through their local CDDP or Brokerage.
Programs and Services
ADL / IADL — Activities of Daily Living / Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
ADLs are the basic tasks of everyday life: eating, bathing, dressing, mobility, and personal hygiene. IADLs are the more complex tasks that support independent living: cooking, managing money, using transportation, handling medications, and navigating appointments and errands. Learn more about our attendant care programs for ADL/IADL supports.
CIIS — Children’s Intensive In-Home Services
An Oregon program that provides intensive in-home support for children with significant behavioral or developmental needs.
DSA — Day Support Activities
A community-based group activities program that helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build friendships, develop independent living skills, and participate more fully in their communities. Learn more about our DSA activities.
ES — Employment Services
Supported employment services that help adults with disabilities find and keep meaningful work in the community. Learn more about employment services at ACC.
Rules and Regulations
OAR — Oregon Administrative Rules
The formal regulations that govern how services are delivered in Oregon, including developmental disability services.
OIS — Oregon Intervention System
A statewide training program that teaches support professionals how to prevent, de-escalate, and safely respond to challenging behaviors while respecting the rights and dignity of the individual.
Still have questions?
The terminology can be overwhelming, especially when you’re just getting started.
At ACC, we work with individuals, families, guardians, Service Coordinators, Case Managers, and Personal Agents every day who are navigating this system for the first time.
We’re always happy to help. Reach out to our team at (503) 751-2040 or send us a message. We’ll do our best to answer your questions and point you in the right direction.