Developmental Concepts Inc

I am a mom of a child with Autism speaking, hoping that others will read this and consider my advice when concerning Developmental Concepts. For the last two years I have been desperately trying to find an agency to meet my daughter's needs. I turned to this site in hopes to find direction on where to start. I read the mixed reviews on Development Concepts, Inc. and didn't even consider them. So, I tried A New Leaf first. When someone did call me back, I was promised the world. Services finally got started and my staff constantly changed if they showed at all. Then, one of my daughter's staff told me that she was leaving to go to another agency due to being told by other staff members that she should go to A New Leaf's Res-Hab program because staff there take the clients medications and mark them as prns. I filed a complaint but nothing came about. So I left and went to Community Connections. It was weeks before anyone took my calls but I was so desperate I kept trying. Services didn't even get started because my daughters DS quit when CCI was going through their State Audit. I was told before she quit that the owner, Tiffany, was threatening everybody's jobs if they didn't falsify documentation to make up what she fraudulently billed for. Funny, my DS told me that I should really call Developmental Concepts because she really has heard only great things about them. So the next night, I called expecting to leave a message with someone because it was close to five and that was the norm for the pass agencies. Then the secretary told me that the owner was still there and would see if she was available. Heather immediately took my call. For the first time I found someone who really did care. She listened to me go on and on and only offered support, knowledge and encouragement. She told me the next step would be to talk Jennifer who was the supervisor in the children's department. Again, I expected to have to leave a voice mail because it was way past five now. I was shocked when Jennifer picked up. She also listened to me and understood my desperation. Because I needed services for my daughter quickly, Jennifer asked if we could meet first thing in the morning. When I walked through the doors, I was extremely impressed with the appearance of their agency. It was extremely clean and I felt comfortable the first minute I was there. I stopped into Heather's office first and she was so sweet and nice to us. She welcomed us to her family and assured me to contact her if she needed her for anything. I couldn't even tell you what Tiffany looks like or who even owns A New Leaf. I met with Jennifer for a long time. She wanted to know everything I had to say and completed assessments. She was so kind and respectful and knew that this had been a difficult experience. Jennifer was honest and said that after the intake process she would assign me to Alaina as my daughters clinical supervisor. Alaina was on top of everything and processed the paper work quickly. These three ladies care and are definitely in this business or the right reasons. I have yet to have a need or request that wasn't met. So parent to parent of a child with a disability, take my word when I say, you can't find an agency with more heart, dedication, integrity and ethics than Developmental Concepts. -Autism Mom more

DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONES. They act without integrity and lie to cover up their mistakes. They have some wonderful employees who are great with their clients but the office staff is horrible and will lie right to your face. Buyer beware!! more

I have had my child at DCI for years, I have never had anything but outstanding experiences from the direct care staff as well as management. Being an advocate for special needs children, I know that this team does the best job possible. I also know from personal experience that Ms. Walker is a person with great integrity. I highly question the first review. My child is always treated with the greatest care and staff always seems to have the very best attitude. more

I worked for Developmental Concepts for a short period of time. I was hired with the promise of a full time position. What I found was just the opposite. I would show up to pick up my assigned boy and he would not be at his daycare. I never got phone calls or anything telling me not to drive across town to pick him up. After a week straight of not getting any work and driving across town to work, I found another position. They had expressed that they needed some help if I wanted to take on positions in my off time so I decided to help them out by working nights or weekends on the side. One day I was called and asked to work taking care of a girl all day because their other employee called in and another time I took care of 3 people because two employees had called in. After some time, I called in to ask about my pay check and Heather had explained that the person who called me to fill those positions no longer worked there, so she couldn't pay me. I never received pay for what I worked and being young and naive, I didn't pursue it further. I would never put up with that now and I would have turned them in but obviously they do not know what they are doing. What kind of place doesn't realize who took care of their customers? more

It has been some time since I pulled my son from Developmental Concepts, but I am still upset at how poorly the services were provided and the time that I can never get back. In the beginning they made lots of promises to me; however, once we started services they pretty much fell off the face of the earth. I never got phone calls from the professionals and I had to train the staff myself. We went through four different staff the first 6 months and half the time, new people would show up and I wouldn't even have been informed. Their location is old and dirty and they don't seem to put any money back into the company. The owner Heather is one of the coldest people I have ever met and could care less about the clients. I am now with Community Connections and couldn't be happier. They have a beautiful center and people that actually care! more