For many years, the developmentally disabled population in the United States survived under a "one size fits all" system of institutionalized care. Regardless of whether a person’s disabilities have been mild or severe, all have been treated much the same, with every move dictated—when to get up, when to eat, and what limited activities may be participated in. Only in the past few years has this model been changed to treating the clients as individuals, affording them a variety of opportunities that enable them to live meaningful lives.

    Individual Support Systems (ISS) was formed in 1995 by Kathy and Dale Stiffler, former top-level managers at the Kansas Neurological Institute, as a better way to provide services to Kansans with developmental disabilities than what was available in state institutions. ISS is incorporated in the State of Kansas and is licensed by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). ISS is one of several affiliate agencies of the Topeka Association of Retarded Citizens (TARC). Under Kansas law, TARC, a Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) is one of several agencies by which developmentally disabled Kansans enter the state system. ISS contracts with TARC to provide services.

    ISS decided at the outset to offer services to a unique population—those developmentally disabled adults with "severe reputations." These are individuals who may be a liability because of behavior problems such as attempted suicide attempts or self-mutilation, and are not generally accepted by other agencies because of special staff skills that are required. In June of 1996, ISS began supporting 3 persons with disabilities, and by the end of the year, was providing services to 12 persons. Twelve people with disabilities were added each year in 1997 and 1998. ISS has maintained a capacity for 36 full-service persons (residential and day care), and provides day services for 38 additional individuals.

    Learning opportunities come in many forms, including skills in personal care, interpersonal communication, housekeeping, personal financial management, and employment assistance. Most ISS persons have not had the benefit of learning these skills prior to coming to ISS, thus excluding them from living successfully in their local communities. ISS's mission is to help them build meaningful lives through learning experiences that increase life-enhancing choices, productivity, and independence.