Making a Difference Improving the Quality of Life of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and their families.

Title I of the DD Act promotes Independence– Independence– To have control Productivity– Productivity– To work or make other contributions to a household or community Integration– Integration– Right to the same opportunities, services, community resources as all other Americans Inclusion Inclusion To fully participate, be welcome in social, educational, work and community life

Self Determination: The Ability and Opportunity to: Make personal choices Make personal choices Exercise control over the type and intensity of services, supports and other assistanceExercise control over the type and intensity of services, supports and other assistance Control resources to obtain needed services, supports and other assistanceControl resources to obtain needed services, supports and other assistance Participate in and contribute to their communitiesParticipate in and contribute to their communities Advocate for themselvesAdvocate for themselves Develop leadership skillsDevelop leadership skills

Activities funded under the DD Act shall be consistent with the principles that IWDD and their families have competencies, capabilities and personal goals that should be recognized, supported and encouraged.IWDD and their families have competencies, capabilities and personal goals that should be recognized, supported and encouraged. Services should be individualized consistent with their unique strengths and resources.Services should be individualized consistent with their unique strengths and resources. All activities shall be culturally competent.All activities shall be culturally competent. Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are the primary decision makers and shall have a role in decision making.

The DD Network The DD Act through its programs -the Council, the P&A, the University Centers and projects of national significance - has created a mechanism for change in each state.The DD Act through its programs -the Council, the P&A, the University Centers and projects of national significance - has created a mechanism for change in each state. Each partner plays an important and unique role in improving the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Purpose of the Council Engage in advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activitiesEngage in advocacy, capacity building and systemic change activities Contribute to a coordinated, consumer and family centered, consumer and family directed, comprehensive system of community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance

Ultimately the Council must Enable individuals with developmental disabilities to –exercise self-determination, –be independent, –be productive, and –be integrated and included in all facets of community life.

The Council must be free to act The State Plan must provide assurance that the designated State agency (DSA) or any other agency, office or entity of the State, will not interfere with the advocacy, capacity building activities, budget, personnel, State plan development, or plan implementation of the Council …

Council Responsibilities Serve as an advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities Conduct or support programs, projects and activities that improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities Develop a state plan Implement the state plan Monitor progress of the state plan and adapt it as necessary and appropriate

More Council Responsibilities Periodically review the designated state agency Report activities to ADD Prepare, approve and implement a budget using the amount provided to it Recruit and hire a Director consistent with state law Have staff who assist the Council in carrying out its responsibilities

And More... Establish or strengthen a program for the direct funding of a State self-advocacy organization led by individuals with developmental disabilities; support opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities who are considered leaders to provide leadership training to individuals with developmental disabilities who may become leaders; and support and expand participation of individuals with developmental disabilities in cross-disability and culturally diverse leadership coalitions.

Areas of Emphasis Quality Assurance Child-care Education and early intervention Employment Health Housing Recreation Transportation Other Services including formal and informal supports that affect quality of life

The State Plan The big picture of how services and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families should be five years from now. Provides guidance to the Council regarding how it spends its resources. Includes long term goals to be accomplished within five years.

Membership It is a group of people, not less than 60% of whom must be individuals with developmental disabilities or their family members (parents, relatives or guardians), who will be the decision makers about how the resources allocated to the Council will be spent.

Required Members Specific representatives of relevant State entities and other organizations including: –Vocational Rehabilitation –Special Education –Aging Agencies –Medicaid agency (Title XIX) –Maternal Child Health –University Centers –Protection & Advocacy System

Mechanisms for Change Outreach Training Technical Assistance Supporting and Educating Communities Interagency Collaboration and Coordination Coordination with Related Councils, committees and programs

Mechanisms for change Barrier Elimination, systems design and redesign Coalition Development and Citizen Participation Informing Policymakers Demonstration of new approaches to Services and Supports Other activities

How? 70% of annual allocation to priority areas 30% to administration Contracts with entities to achieve outcomes Staff as lobbyist Staff & members on committees, other councils, task forces

Projects/Activities InfoNet Iowa COMPASS ID Action Community Change Projects Guardianship & Conservatorship Papers Civic Participation Advocating change Day

Projects & Activities Public Awareness Iowa News Service People First Key Coalition Improving Employment Outcomes Improving Transition Outcomes Enhancing Community Alternatives