Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities

inclusion. integration. independence.

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Council's Work Plan

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Reaching Your Own Greatness in 2026

In 2026, the Arkansas DD Network will be offering Reaching My Own Greatness (RMOG) sessions across the state.

Reaching My Own Greatness, A Self-determination curriculum created by People First of Washington. This 8-part program is designed for adults with developmental disabilities to realize their potential as individuals and set goals. It is a hands-on, activity-based curriculum designed to build self-determination and advocacy skills. This event is free of charge. Sponsored by the Arkansas Developmental Disability Network. For more information email Sherice Smith at sds006@uark.edu. Sessions to begin in Spring of 2026

What is Reaching My Own Greatness?

A Self-Determination Curriculum created by People First of Washington. People First of Washington is a powerful self-advocacy organization by and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focused on empowering members to be equal citizens, claim their rights (jobs, housing, community inclusion), and fight against segregation. The purpose and mission of People First of Washington is “to assist all people to realize and appreciate that we are PEOPLE FIRST and our
disabilities are secondary. We are equal citizens in our communities.”

This 8-part program is designed for adults with developmental disabilities to realize their potential as individuals and set goals. It is a hands-on, activity-based curriculum designed to build self-determination and advocacy skills.



In the sessions, you will explore these topics:

  • What is self-determination?
  • Who I am.
  • What do I want?
  • How do I get what I want or need?
  • Communication.
  • Roadblocks.
  • Responsibility and Community.
  • Conflict, Power, and Peace.



The sessions will be free of charge and sponsored by the Arkansas Developmental Disabilities Network.

Sessions to begin in Spring of 2026

The sessions will be coordinated by Sherice Smith, the DD Network’s Statewide Advocacy Coordinator. We have trained several pairs of trainers who will be conducting sessions across the state. Contact the Coordinator if you are interested in RMOG in your area! Additional train-the-trainer sessions will be held in the future, as the need grows.

For more information email Sherice Smith at [email protected]

The Arkansas Developmental Disabilities Network includes: GCDD Arkansas/State Council on DD, UA Partners/University Center, Disability Rights Arkansas/Protection & Advocacy.

Picture of Assiah Lewellen
Assiah Lewellen
Assiah Lewellen is the Deputy Director for the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, where she works with her colleagues to ensure that people with developmental disabilities are fully included as valued members of their communities and have equal opportunities to achieve their potential, make their own decisions, and exercise their civil rights. She supervises a small staff, oversees state plan development & implementation, manages special projects, grants, and outreach for the Council, including maintaining the Council website and social media accounts. She has served on the Council staff since 2016 in various roles. Assiah is a 2018 graduate of the Leadership Institute for Cultural Diversity and Cultural and Linguistic Competence from the National Center for Cultural Competence at Georgetown University and is a member of the Association of People Supporting Employment First. Prior to working for the Council, Lewellen spent five years in grants administration within the Department of Finance and Administration’s Office of Intergovernmental Services. Before joining the employ of the State of Arkansas, Lewellen worked in the telecom industry for ten years as a property management and due diligence specialist.

About the Arkansas Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

The Council is a federally funded state agency that promotes integration, inclusion and independence for Arkansans with developmental disabilities. Council members are self-advocates, relatives and/or caregivers of individuals with DD, state agency directors, and representation from nonprofit and private organizations. The Council works to encourage self-advocacy; to remove barriers to information, services and support; to advocate for policy changes; to develop and support coalitions; and to educate community leaders. For more information about the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and its mission, browse more pages on this website GCDD.arkansas.gov, or call 501-682-2897. Follow the Council on Facebook and Twitter @gcddar. You can also find Arkansas GCDD on YouTube.