Making Opportunities Happen Since 1978

We offer numerous services to help serve our community of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Behavioral Fitness Services
We provide comprehensive, professional behavior services in Southwest Missouri, supporting adults and children with autism and other developmental disabilities in the home and community.
Case Management
Case Management assists individuals eligible for services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Case Managers help find supports and services to meet your personal goals.
Community Services
Activities and Programs are geared toward adults with developmental disabilities.
Services include Growing Opportunities and Life Skills (GOALS), Short-Term Community Living, Personal Assistant, Individual Skill Development, Community Networking, Day Habilitation and Summer Camp.
Early Childhood Services
First Steps of Missouri, Missouri's Early Intervention program, provides services for children from birth up to 3 years old with developmental disabilities or diagnosed conditions associated with developmental delays. The CSS Early Learning Center is a licensed child care facility serving children through age 6. The ELC serves children with or without a diagnosis or developmental delay.
Residential Services
CSS is committed to providing a home that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families choose. Our approach is to assist individuals enhance their quality of life by finding a home that suits them and their specific needs and goals in life.

CSS provides two types of residential services, supported living and group homes.
How We Make It Happen
Nearly 300 dedicated, caring staff members help to give over 1,600 individuals the most independent life they can achieve every day.
Advocate dances with Community Support Services Participant

Our Mission

The mission of Community Support Services of Missouri is to foster and promote maximum independence, quality of life, personal growth, health and safety for the individuals we serve.

Annual Report

Leadership Team

Ryan Melton
Ryan Melton
President/CEO
Derek Cole
Derek Cole
Executive Vice-President/CFO
Rebecca Rivette
Rebecca Rivette
Vice-President, Case Management
Candice Goebel
Candice Nail
Vice-President, Residential Services
Janet Thompson
Janet Thompson
Vice-President, Community Services
Kirstie Smith
Kirstie Smith
Vice-President, Administrative Services
Jeremy Gibson
Elizabeth Nicholson
Vice-President, Behavioral Services
Jeremy Gibson
Jeremy Gibson
Senior Director, Special Projects
Jamy Spry
Jamy Spry
Senior Director, Quality Assurance
Jayde Thomas
Jayde Thomas
Senior Director, Development
Tiffany Stout
Tiffany Stout
Senior Director, Human Resources

Board of Directors

Bryan Shallenburger
Chairperson
Mark Elliff
Past Chairperson
Brad Baker
Treasurer
Rob O'Brian
Secretary
Nancy Good
Luke Boyer
Janel Harding
Jennifer Little
Jim Willis
Gary Duncan
Tom Franz

Our Greatest Milestones

1978
Corporation established as Jasper County Sheltered Facilities Association by the Jasper County Sheltered Facilities Board
1978
Opened First Group Home
1981
Established Leisure and Summer Camp Program
- the longest running recreational programs for people with developmental disabilities in Southwest Missouri
1985
Established Day Program Services
1989
Established Community Advocacy Supports Program
1994
Established Individualized Supported Living Program
2000
Separated from Jasper County Sheltered Facilities Board
2003
Established First Steps Program in Southwest Missouri
2003
Agency name changed to Community Support Services of Missouri in reflection of expanded service area
2004
Received first CARF accreditation - still accredited today
2005
Established Carl Junction Group Home
2005
Carl McConnell Activity Center Opens
2007
CARF reaccreditation through 2010
2008
Celebrating 30 years of "Making Opportunities Happen!"
2009
First Non-Profit Developmental Disabilities Agency in Missouri to contract for Targeted Case Management Services with the Division of Developmental Disabilities in 6 Southwest Missouri counties
2010
CARF reaccreditation through 2013
2011
Established accessible duplex in response to need for additional accessible housing after the May 22, 2011 tornado
2013
Established Inclusive Playground through partnership with KaBOOM! and the McDonald's Foundation
2013
CARF reaccreditation through 2016
2015
Behavioral Fitness (BFit) program established
2016
CARF reaccreditation through 2019
2018
Celebrated 40 years of Making Opportunities Happen!
2019
Acquired the Cerebral Palsy Center, renaming it to the Early Learning Center, to serve some of our youngest individuals.
2022
Acquired the old Joplin Senior Center location and transformed it into the CSS Jackson Center housing Community Services and Behavioral Fitness.