ABOUT DIDLAKE INCORPORATED
Didlake Incorporated, located in Manassas, Va., provides outpatient services to adults with disabilities and individuals struggling with substance abuse. The organization’s mission is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by creating opportunities. Initially established in 1965 as a private school to comply with laws prohibiting the enrollment of children with disabilities in public schools, Didlake has expanded its services to cater to individuals with various disabilities such as autism, visual/hearing impairments, substance abuse/addiction, and traumatic brain injuries. In line with its mission, 78% of Didlake employees are individuals with disabilities.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Didlake offers support for individuals and families with disabilities through job support and training, day-support services, employment assistance with competitive wages and benefits, and support for individuals to pursue upward mobility.
The facility’s Community Inclusion Program (CIP) is a licensed day support program that aims to integrate individuals with disabilities into valued social roles within their community. Each participant receives an Individual Service Plan (ISP) that focuses on skill development, including social/communication skills, personal care tasks, and self-awareness/self-advocacy skills. Additionally, participants engage in cooking classes, fitness activities, arts and crafts, and education on current events.
Didlake’s Supported Employment program aims to improve the employment rate of individuals with disabilities, which currently stands at 70%. The facility uses an assessment process to match individuals with suitable employment opportunities and provide long-term support to help them maintain employment. Supported employment programs are available in both individual and group settings. Individual support assists businesses with screening, job training, and ongoing support for employees with disabilities at no cost to the business. Group support provides on-site supervision, training, counseling, advocacy, and support for employees with disabilities.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Didlake employs individuals with disabilities, constituting 78% of its workforce. Although the credentials of support staff for individuals with disabilities are not listed, the facility has an administrative board of directors. The Chair and Secretary hold PhDs, and the Vice Chair has a doctorate in education.
REVIEWS
At the time of writing, only one staff member has been polled by Best-rehabs.com. The anonymous male staff member provided a highly positive review of the facility. He rated the treatment effectiveness as five out of five stars, accommodations & amenities as four stars, and meals & nutrition as five stars. He strongly agreed that the facility adequately addresses co-occurring mental health problems alongside substance use disorders, has experienced and well-trained staff, and involves family and loved ones in treatment through facility programming. The staff member noted that a noteworthy strength of the facility is their humanized service experience and did not identify any areas for improvement. He emphasized that the organization is dedicated to providing rehabilitation services with professional experience, always ensuring the welfare and rehabilitation of the patient.
On the facility’s Facebook page, which is managed by the organization, it has received an overall rating of 4.6 out of five stars based on 11 total reviews. One client, K.C., provided a five-star rating and spoke highly of the services offered, particularly highlighting the understanding and accommodating approach of the organization towards his mental disability. In contrast, a former client, C.Y., rated the facility with one star and expressed dissatisfaction with being dismissed from employment after completing cancer treatments. On Google, the facility has an overall rating of three out of five stars based on two reviews. H.H. rated the facility with one star, emphasizing that their mother was fired when she fell ill, while the other reviewer provided a five-star rating without leaving a comment.
FINANCING
Didlake is a nonprofit organization that receives funding through service contract customers, VA Medicaid, Community Service Boards, Department of Rehabilitation Services, and other donations including fundraising efforts. There does not appear to be a cost for clients to participate in the services provided by Didlake.