Community Development Services

Community Developmental Services, Inc. (CDS) is a private non-profit community based agency with a rich history in serving adults with mental retardation. CDS is chartered by the state of Tennessee and has been providing services for 35 years. Originally a component of the West Tennessee Easter Seal Society, CDS now provides services to approximately 150 individuals in Northwest Tennessee in the following counties: Weakley, Obion, Henry, Carroll and Lake. CDS' service area has grown over the years and our service components have changed to meet the needs of service recipients.

CDS provides programs for adults with mental retardation or developmental disabilities with the purpose of promoting self-determination, self-advocacy, productivity and integration into the community. The agency will commit its resources to providing or seeking advocacy services for those who cannot advocate for themselves in order to create a caring and hospitable environment that protects people from harm, the loss of dignity and respect and any infringement of their entitled rights.

CDS has adopted the following management and operating standards:

Competence - To have staff that are qualified for their duties and committed to the individuals served providing both administrative and direct care services.
Integrity - To be honest in our dealings fiscally and with the individuals served.
Professional Responsibility - To adhere to established policies and procedures of both the agency and the state.
Respect - To respect a person's right to confidentially, freedom from abuse, freedom from discrimination, privacy, choice and dignity.
Accountability - To support full disclosure to families and individuals and to be open and forthcoming with information to relevant funding sources regarding use of funds and programmatic information.
Teamwork - To deliver services that require the timely and accurate completion of tasks to support each other and the willingness to help out wherever needed.
Community - To maintain our sense of community as an employee and citizen, recognizing the critical role our agency plays in the lives of others.