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Developmental Services of Dickson County

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Developmental Services of Dickson County

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Building A Community For All In 1975 the agency assumed management of a group home in White Bluff housing 17 adults. Eighteen children and families were served.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES OF DICKSON COUNTY

The Dickson County Adult Activity was initiated by a group of parents and other interested citizens in 1974. Services began for 18 adults with intellectual disabilities in the old Jackson Clinic building, then a part of the United Methodist Church of Dickson. In 1976 the program, then serving 35 adults, was moved to the old Sylvia schoolhouse. In 1979 the agency opened a group home for six women in Dickson. Later that year, the program moved to a newly renovated facility on East College Street in Dickson. In 1980 a group home for ten individuals opened on Poplar Street, closing the larger group home in White Bluff. In 1981 the agency began operating early intervention services, initially serving seven children in a program the families named Foundations. Also in 1981 the agency changed its name to Developmental Services of Dickson County. In 1982 the agency assumed management of the former Goodwill program. It was called DS Industries and Budget Store and was located on Mulberry Street in Dickson. Later in 1982, the first newly constructed group home, the W.V.Lightfoot home, was opened on West Fifth Street in Dickson. This home replaced the home on Main Street and was home for eight women. In 1984 the agency moved its day services and administrative offices to a facility on North Main Street in Dickson. Later the DSI Budget Store was moved to the same location. In 1985 the Foundations Preschool Program expanded and hired its first full-time teacher. A collaborative program with six other programs to employ a pediatric physical therapist to serve young children was also started in 1985. Subsequently Foundations expanded into Cheatham and Robertson counties and today serves over 85 children and families. Also in 1985, the newly constructed Buckner Group Home was opened on Highway 48 North. Serving ten adults, it brought the number of persons served in residential programs to twenty-one. In 1985 fifty adults were served in day services. In 1986 the agency initiated services in Houston County for adults. A new position to develop community-based jobs for persons with disabilities was created and the first consumer gained full-time employment in the community. 1986 featured the first Balloon Flyaway, an agency fund raising event held in conjunction with Old Timer’s Day in Dickson. In 1987 the agency began offering Medicaid funded services for persons previously institutionalized or at risk of institutionalization. A home for eight elderly women, the Michael Group Home, was opened on Sylvis Street, the Cauthen Group Home for four women was opened on Center Avenue, and the Burns Group Home was opened for four men. The DSI Budget store was closed to create more space for the new adults entering the program. In 1987 the agency received its first grant for developing community jobs from the state Division of Rehabilitation Services. In 1988 the agency also opened its first work crew site at Maxwell Graphics, later Quebecor. Services continued to expand in community jobs and community participation until in 1999 the agency closed its sheltered workshop and transitioned everyone into community-based day activities. In 1991 the first supported living services opened, providing in home services to two women in their own home. Other sites followed in 1992 and most every year afterward. As people moved into supported living and more community-scale homes, the group homes began to downsize or close. In 1993 the agency began providing Family Support services to families containing a member with significant disabilities. These services were initially offered in Dickson, Houston, and Humphreys counties. In 1994 services were expanded to Cheatham County. In July 2012 services will begin in Montgomery and Stewart counties. In 2001 the agency initiated the Mid-Cumberland Child Care Resource Center to provide training and technical assistance to child care providers in Dickson, Houston, Cheatham, Robertson, Montgomery, Stewart, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Trousdale, Humphreys, and Sumner counties. Later renamed as the Mid-Cumberland Child Care Resource and Referral, the program expanded in 2003 with several programs to assist military families in the state and region. In July 2012 the program will also provide services in Davidson County. Today, Developmental Services supports over three hundred adults and children in a variety of home and community-based services. Developmental Services employs over two hundred and eighty staff members in eight counties and expends an annual operating budget in excess of $9.0 million.

11/04/2026

See below for an Adaptive Performance schedule and a message from the Dickson Middle School music and direct theater teacher. This is great! 🙌

"Hello - my name is Emily Murphy and I teach music and direct theatre at DMS. We have our adaptive performance of Newsies Jr. coming up next week and I wanted to share some information of what an adaptive performance is and looks like.

If you’ve got a little who has never seen a show bring them! We will have designated spaces in the front and back of the house (seating area) where they can move freely while watching the show. If you’ve think they will be too loud or wiggly - they won’t (plus my kiddos will be right there with them😅).

If you end up needing a quiet room we will have space available in our library where you can come get regulated for a minute.

If you use closed captions at home we will have a digital script projected so you can follow along.

For the first time we will have ASL interpretation! VERY excited about this!

Theatre is for everyone and we hope to see you next week!"

🎭 Theatre is for EVERYONE!!! We would LOVE to see you at Newsies Jr. for our Adaptive Show!

Adaptive performance accommodations: no flashing lights, reduced sound, quiet space available, area to stand and wiggle during the show available, character introduction before the show at 1:30, closed captioning, and ASL interpretation. 🎭

📰📰📰 The headlines are changing—and the newsies are ready to be heard!📰📰📰
Join the talented middle school cast of Dickson Middle School’s Disney’s Newsies JR. as they discover the power of speaking up, standing together, and telling their story. Packed with energetic songs, bold characters, and plenty of heart, this inspiring show celebrates what can happen when young voices refuse to be ignored.
Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable performance!
Shows:
Nov. 12 - 7 PM
Nov. 13 - 7 PM
Nov. 14 - 2 PM * Adaptive Sensory-Friendly Show
Nov. 15 - 2 PM
🎟️ Get your tickets now to come see Newsies Jr.! https://dragonpa.ludus.com/ 🎟️
Presale General Admission tickets: $8. General Admission Tickets at the door: $10
DMS students: $5
5 and under free
*Adaptive performance accommodations: no flashing lights, reduced sound, quiet space available, area to stand and wiggle during the show available, character introduction before the show at 1:30, closed captioning, and ASL interpretation.
DISNEY’S NEWSIES JR. is PRESENTED through SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT with MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI).
ALL AUTHORIZED MATERIALS ARE ALSO PROVIDED BY MTI.
www.mtishows.com

11/03/2026

Thank you to our Compliance Director, Richard E. Streck for our DSDC-November Newsletter!

Always available on our website, as well, at www.dsdc.org ⬇️📰

11/03/2026

🌎 ¡La independencia comienza con oportunidades! / Independence Begins with Opportunity!

At Developmental Services of Dickson County, we want to make sure that every family in our community has access to information, resources, and opportunities.

We are sharing our MAPs (Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence ) informational flyers in Spanish to help us reach and connect with more of our Spanish-speaking families.

MAPs helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities build skills, explore opportunities, and work toward greater independence in their communities.

Please help us spread the word! If you know a Spanish-speaking individual or family who may benefit from learning more about MAPs, please share this information with them.

¡Estamos aquí para ayudar! We are here to help answer questions and connect families with resources.

💚 Building a Community for All!💚

10/31/2026

What a wonderful time we had at the Developmental Services of Dickson County Halloween Party yesterday! 🎃

It was such a joy to come together, celebrate, and make special memories. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it a fun-filled day for all! 🧡

These are just a few of the moments we captured—more pictures are coming soon, so keep an eye on our page!

We can’t wait to share even more of the Halloween fun!

10/31/2026

Looking for a career with purpose?

Join our amazing team at Developmental Services of Dickson County!

Check out our current openings below—we’d love to have you on our team! 💙

Developmental Services of Dickson County Careers Page - View all jobs and opportunities at Developmental Services of Dickson County and apply today. | Powered By Paylocity

10/29/2026

Open to all ages!! 🎃🎃

It's about that time again! Our Special Needs-Friendly Trunk or Treat (for all ages) is coming up on Halloween from 5-7 at the Burns Church of Christ Fellowship Hall! We can't wait to see you!

10/28/2026

Austin is super excited to be welcomed into the MAPs (Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence) Program today!!

And we are thrilled to have him. Go Austin!! 🙌

10/27/2026

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Developmental Services of Dickson County Careers Page - View all jobs and opportunities at Developmental Services of Dickson County and apply today. | Powered By Paylocity

10/26/2026

⬇️⬇️

As part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re excited to share our new Tennessee Businesses for the Better Inclusive Workplace Guide! Inside, you’ll find practical steps your business can take to build a more inclusive workplace, plus insights into the benefits of inclusion for your team, business, and community. For example: "Did you know that most workplace accommodations are free or cost less than $500? That's often less than two computer monitors! (Source: Job Accommodation Network)"

Ready to take the next step toward a more inclusive workplace? Check out our new guide at this link: https://tndisability.org/resources/how-to-turn-your-business-into-a-more-inclusive-workplace/

A special thank you to our TDC members for sharing their support, insights, and feedback throughout the development of this resource. Their contributions helped make this guide possible!

10/22/2026

Another wonderful Financial Management Class today
With First Federal Bank!

Robin Matlock Lunn spoke on "Budgeting"
And provided the class with some great materials and education.

Then! At the end of class, surprised them with a tour of the bank. And they loved it!!

Can't wait for next month's class

Address

115 Luther Road
Dickson, TN
37055

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16154412668

Website

https://dsdc.org/

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