Address: 2003 East Sunshine, Suite D, Springfield, MO 65804

Nova Center of the Ozarks, Inc, strives to make possible the potential for positive change in the quality of life for every individual with a developmental disability, regardless of the nature of that disability.

Provides a group home and other services for the Autistic.

Nova Center of the Ozarks was founded on June 5, 1990 as a non-profit organization. It was formed by a group of concerned parents with autism. Prior to 1990, there were no agencies in Southwest Missouri providing services for individuals with autism. These parents created a petition to be submitted to the state legislature for funding. In 1992, after having been granted funding from the Missouri State Legislature, Nova Center opened up a five-bedroom group home called the Nova House. Just one year later, Nova Center opened its first Individualized Supported Living arrangement (ISL). Currently, Nova has six ISL’s. Not only has Nova Center expanded in residential services, but it has also expanded in the array of services offered to those with developmental disabilities. Nova Center not only provides residential care for those with autism, but a variety of developmental disabilities and those with challenging behaviors as well.

• Individualized Supported Living (ISL): This service is designed to provide a supported environment in an individual’s home or apartment. Due to Nova’s focus on autism and challenging behaviors, most current ISL’s are staffed 24 hours a day.
• Community Integration: The purpose of this program is to assist individuals with disabilities to increase independent living skills and to become more fully integrated into their community.
• Personal Care Assistant: This service provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). It is available to individuals in the natural home only.
• Respite: In-home respite may be authorized through the Springfield Regional Center when other sources have been exhausted. Nova will also serve families wishing to pay privately.
• In-Home Behavior Management: This program involves a trained Behavior Specialist going into the home of an individual with a developmental disability and providing support to the family by educating and training them to understand and work with the individual’s behaviors that are problematic to the family.
• Evaluation and Consultation: Nova provides evaluation and consultation to individuals, agencies, and schools. A Behavior Management Specialist will do an on-site observation and assessment then write a behavior plan. Support will be given in implementing the plan, working with the team, and in follow-up sessions.
• Professional Training-Behavior Management, Autism, Information and Education: Nova can provide training to agencies, schools, or interested groups. A list of desired topics is preferred to tailor the training needs of the requestor.
• First Steps: This program is funded by the DESE and is designed to assist children, birth to age three. To qualify, the child must be diagnosed with a developmental disability or show a 50% developmental delay. A Developmental Therapist will visit the child in their home or daycare center to work on specific developmental goals set in the Individualized Family Support Plan (IFSP). It is also the goal of the therapist to share any information with the parent(s) that will help them further support their child.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): ABA is an early intervention program typically used with young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. It is a program designed to help build language skills, while also addressing social skills and inappropriate behavior. The program is highly structured and therapy is provided on a one-to-one basis. Nova provides services both through the First Steps program as well as to families who wish to pay privately.

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