About Us

Big Lakes Developmental Center, Inc., established in 1973, is a private, nonprofit organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities in Riley, Geary, Clay and Pottawatomie counties in Kansas. Big Lakes Developmental Center is supported by county mill levy and federal and state funding. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Our administrative offices are located in Manhattan, Kansas, where we operate an Adult Training Center along with a second Adult Training Center just 40 minutes north of Manhattan in Clay Center, Kansas. Big Lakes also owns and leases various residential homes and apartments as part of our Residential Services provided for adults age 16 and older who are developmentally disabled.

Our Mission

In the belief that Big Lakes Developmental Center was incorporated to provide services for the citizen who is developmentally disabled, our mission is "to provide quality services and programs which promote independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion into the community for persons with developmental disabilities." We advocate the rights of individuals with developmental disabilties.

CARF Accreditation

You can be sure that Big Lakes adheres to the highest quality standards as our programs and services are accredited by the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF). CARF is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1966, committed to upgrading and continually improving the quality of services provided to individuals with disabilities. Big Lakes holds national accreditation in Community Housing, Community Integration, Supported Living, and Organizational Employment Services. We were initially accredited in 1980. To learn more about CARF, contact Big Lakes Developmental Center, Inc. or CARF directly at:

The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission
4891 East Grant Road Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 325-1044 - Voice/TDD
FAX (520) 318-1129
http://www.carf.org

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