This is the OFFICIAL page of Big Lakes Developmental Center, Inc.
02/14/2026
We had a great start to our Valentine’s/Kindness Week! We decorated sugar cookies for Valentine’s Day with the Sunflower Pilot Club and it was a sweet time. Also special thank you to Dillons for donating over 150 roses to our clients and staff. It sure made us smile! And of course, we’ve been snapping photos at our Valentine’s Day Photo Booth all week! ❤️
02/08/2026
🏈 It’s game day!
Who are you rooting for? Our clients and staff are ready to cheer for their team this weekend !
On Friday, we had a blast with our staff Soup-er Bowl cook-off. Congratulations to our winners: Michelle, Carmen, and Melisa! 🍲
02/04/2026
On Friday, we had the honor of celebrating Fatuma's retirement! After 28 years of dedicated service, she is beginning a truly well-deserved new chapter. Her compassion, commitment, and care have made a lasting impact on our clients, our team, and our organization as a whole.
Fatuma, you will be greatly missed, and we are so grateful for the many years you shared with us. We wish you happiness, relaxation, and new adventures in retirement. Thank you for everything you've given to Big Lakes.
💙 From your Big Lakes family
01/31/2026
Today we celebrated Big Lakes’ birthday! 53 years of support, inclusion, and impact 💙
01/14/2026
Heartfelt thanks to the St. Thomas More Knights of Columbus, Council 8488, for their generous donation in support of Big Lakes!
01/12/2026
We’re excited to share our new and growing library at Big Lakes, featuring our hardworking librarians! With a variety of books available, there’s something for everyone.
Don’t miss our Word Wall, where new words will be added regularly to help expand vocabulary and encourage learning.
If you’re interested in contributing to this space, book donations are always welcome. Thank you for being part of learning at Big Lakes! 💙
01/11/2026
Thank you to all the donors who have supported us this year. We couldn't have done this without your support! 💙
01/04/2026
Tool Time with Carley! 🔨
Together, we can build something truly great. With every donation, it helps us toward making homes safer, cozier, and welcoming for everyone.
biglakes.org/foundation
01/01/2026
✨ As we step into the new year, we want to give one last shoutout to our amazing staff!
Our Holiday Appreciation Week was filled with fun activities, including a DIY hot chocolate bar, mini games, raffle giveaways, photo opportunities, our annual potluck, and some truly impressive ugly sweaters.
💙 Congratulations to all of this week’s winners! Thank you to our incredible team for everything you do all year long. Here’s to a new year of teamwork, growth, and continued success together! 🎉
12/31/2025
What a fun evening at our Job Club holiday celebration a while back! With hot chocolate, games, and great company, it was the perfect way to celebrate friendships and a year of dedication and hard work. 🎉💙
12/30/2025
💙 Tomorrow, December 31, is the last day you can vote for Big Lakes using your Target Circle votes. If you haven’t already, we’d be so grateful if you’d give your votes to Big Lakes. If you already have, thank you so much! We truly appreciate your support and the kindness you show our organization and the people we serve. Happy New Year! 🎉✨
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Here's how:
Step 1: Choose 'My Target' in the Target app or 'Account' on Target.com
Step 2: Tap 'Cast votes'
Step 3: Find us & vote
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Big Lakes Developmental Center, Inc.:
Big Lakes Developmental Center, Inc, established in 1973, is a private, nonprofit-organization serving individuals with intellectual/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 intellectual/developmental disabilities.
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.