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DDS West Region previews Cheshire supported-housing project and RFP for group homes amid staffing shortfalls and 30 emergency placements
Summary
Department of Developmental Services staff described a new supported-housing project in Cheshire with Southington ARC (applications begin June 2025), an open RFP for 10 CLA group homes with proposals due June 13, and ongoing capacity and staffing challenges that have left about 30 emergency cases awaiting placement.
Shannon, West Region staff with the Department of Developmental Services, told the advisory council the region is launching a supported-housing project in Cheshire and is processing outreach and applications for candidate tenants.
"We are about to kick off our second project in the West Region. It is going to be in Cheshire on Highland Avenue...The supporting agency will be Southington ARC," Shannon said. The development includes 71 units overall; the West Region will have 12 one-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units set aside for DDS-eligible residents, Shannon said. Official applications will be accepted beginning June 2025; placements will be coordinated through each applicant's placement resource allocation team (PRAT).
Shannon also updated the council on a separate procurement: the West Region posted an RFP on April 7 for 10 CLA group homes (three per region plus one centrally located). The region held a proposers' conference on April 14 and expects proposals by June 13; selection committees will review submissions and forward recommendations to the commissioner. If awarded, providers must identify properties and complete development work, which council staff warned could be delayed by the current property market.
Staffing shortages and capacity constraints were a recurring theme. Shannon said the region currently lists about 30 emergency cases that need placement but cannot be filled because of limited vacancies and workforce shortages. The council discussed how hospitals press for discharges while providers and DDS search for placements and interim options; staff described using resource teams (including private-contracted crisis-response teams and in-home supports) and short-term respite to stabilize families while longer-term placements are sought.
Shannon noted the region absorbed two public programs (Northwest Regional Center and Lower Fairfield Center) and remains in a partial hiring freeze focusing on seasonal and direct-care positions; several budget lines (even for maintenance and supplies) are under scrutiny. The group also discussed outreach plans to market the Cheshire project, suggesting social media, parent Facebook groups, day program contacts, local town special-needs committees and newsletters, and on-site outreach at community events.
Council members and staff flagged broader policy concerns, including a pending state legislative discussion (House Bill 6487) on cost analyses between public and private programs and the continuing caregiver/staffing crisis affecting transitions from school and hospital settings. Shannon said the region will circulate flyers and sign-up sheets for outreach events and will share the RFP timeline with council members and providers.
