What We Do

The Council engages in advocacy, systems change, and capacity building activities that contribute to a coordinated, individual and family-centered, individual and family-directed comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that enable individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise self-determination, be independent, be productive, and be integrated and included in all facets of community life.

To build capacity and effect systems change, Councils are charged with carrying out specific activities in the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act:

To Organize and Enlist Others to Influence
To Empower
To Change Public Attitudes
To Advocate and Influence
To Demonstrate Innovation
To Provide Training and Technical Assistance
To Redesign the System
To Remove Barriers
To Educate Policy Makers
To Educate the Public
To Develop & Support Coalitions
To Outreach

The Council has four committees to address the objectives in the Council’s Five Year Plan and functions of the Council.

  • Executive Committee – takes immediate action when necessary, makes policy and other recommendations to the full Council, and evaluates the performance of the Executive Director.
  • Self Determination/Community Inclusion Committee – monitors plan activities that fall under the areas of Community Supports and Advocacy and Leadership Development.
  • Education/Employment Committee – monitors plan activities that fall under the areas of Education and Early Intervention, Employment, and Child Care.
  • Act 378 Sub-Committee – oversees implementation of the Community and Family Support System.
  • Ad Hoc Committees are appointed on an as-needed basis.