The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Arkansas DD Network
A Collaboration:
The Council, the P & A (Protection and Advocacy Organization), and the UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) are the three main partners in this collaboration. Please see graphic below.
NOTE: Links on this page will open in a new browser tab or window.
In every state and territory, programs authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) empower individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to help shape policies that impact them. DD Act programs conduct important research and test innovative new service delivery models. They work to bring the latest knowledge and resources to those who can put it to the best use, including self-advocates, families, service providers, and policymakers. DD Act programs also investigate cases of abuse and serve as advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
While each entity within the network serves specific purposes, they were established with overlapping goals to facilitate collaboration and interconnectivity among the different units. This structure allows each entity to work cross-functionally to achieve the core goals of the DD Act: self-determination, independence, productivity, integration, and disability inclusion in all facets of community life for people with developmental disabilities.
The Arkansas DD Network
The Arkansas Developmental Disabilities Network includes: GCDD Arkansas/State Council on DD, UA Partners/University Center, Disability Rights Arkansas/Protection & Advocacy.
Also active in this collaboration in Arkansas are other organizations including, but not limited to, various state agencies such as the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Services and Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, and other councils, such as the Arkansas State Independent Living Council, along with many direct service providers across the state of Arkansas.
Arkansas DD Network Contacts:
SCDD
Jonathan Taylor, Executive Director
Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities Arkansas
1515 W. 7th Street, Suite 320
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: 501- 682-2897
Email: jonathan.taylor@dfa.arkansas.gov
P&A
Tom Masseau, Executive Director
Disability Rights Arkansas
400 West Capitol
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: 501-296-1779
Email: [email protected]
UCEDD
Karan B. Burnette, Director
University of Arkansas Partners
10809 Executive Center Drive
Searcy Building, Suite 316
Little Rock, AR 72211
Phone: 800-342-2923
Email: [email protected]
State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (SCDDs)
State Councils on Developmental Disabilities are federally funded, self-governing organizations charged with identifying the most pressing needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in their respective states or territories. SCDDs are committed to advancing public policy and systems change that help individuals with IDD gain more control over their lives, live healthy & happy lives, and be part of the work to improve the service system.
Key activities include:
- Conducting outreach
- Providing training and technical assistance
- Removing barriers
- Developing coalitions
- Encouraging citizen participation
- Informing policymakers about disability issues
Councils work to address identified needs by conducting advocacy, systems change, and capacity building efforts that promote self-determination, integration, and inclusion.
State Protection and Advocacy Agencies (P&As)
Protection & Advocacy agencies (P&As) comprise the nation’s largest provider of legally-based advocacy services for people with disabilities. P&As have the legal authority to:
- Investigate suspected abuse or neglect and seek justice for victims and their families
- Have access to records and facilities necessary to investigate abuse or neglect or to monitor the treatment and safety of residents
- Pursue litigation and all other appropriate remedies under federal, state, and local law
- Provide information and referrals regarding entitlements to services and other legal rights
- Educate policymakers on needed reforms to disability-related laws and services
Your state P&A actively communicates with policymakers, state agencies that serve people with IDD, and the public, about areas of concern within public state systems that serve people with disabilities. You can view many of their reports by clicking here and following this link to Disability Rights Arkansas Publications & Reports webpage.
State University Centers for Excellence in DD Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDs)
University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDs) are unique among Administration on Disabilities (AoD) grantees in that they are affiliated with universities. UCEDDs are a nationwide network of independent but interlinked centers representing an expansive national resource for addressing issues, finding solutions, and advancing research related to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Four core functions frame the UCEDD program:
- Interdisciplinary pre-service preparation and continuing education
- Research, including basic or applied research, evaluation, and public policy analysis
- Information dissemination
- Community services, including direct services, training, technical assistance, and model demonstrations
UCEDDs support activities that address a range of issues, from early intervention to supported employment.