Realizing the Intent of the DD Act
How the DD Network Advances the Independence, Productivity, and Integration of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Audience:
- Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD), University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (UCEDDs), State Protection and Advocacy Systems, State Councils on Developmental Disabilities
- Topics:
- DD ACT
- Types:
- DD ACT, Statute
- Tags:
- DD Act, Disabilities Law
Conclusion
For several decades, the DD Network has positively affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities — assuring their rightful place as full community members through advocacy, research, training, and programs that directly support individuals, families, and communities across the country. The DD Network fills critical gaps in state services systems. State systems are complex and do not have the resources to fund research and pilot projects, to test new ideas or provide extensive training to teachers or medical practitioners — and they are prohibited from engaging in the types of advocacy that the DD Councils are in fact chartered to do.
The DD Network is central to moving the entire field of intellectual and developmental disabilities toward improved effectiveness and efficiency, and is essential in securing positive outcomes in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and communities. This vital network continues to advance state and national policies and practices in the disabilities field in ways that enhance the quality of our communities and the lives of all U.S. citizens.
Notes
1 ADD is located in the ACF although the populations ADD mainly relates to are within the Department of Education (children) and CMS. See, "Rising Expectations: The Developmental Disabilities Act Revisited," NCD, February 15, 2011, pp. 38–40 for an analysis of ADD's position within the federal structure.
2 The DD Act can be found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/add/resource/dd-act
3 According to the federal Developmental Disabilities Act, Section 102(8), a developmental disability is: a severe, lifelong disability attributable to mental and/or physical impairments which manifest themselves before age 22 and are likely to continue indefinitely and result in substantial limitations in three or more of the following areas: self-care, comprehension and language skills (receptive and expressive language), learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and ability to function independently without coordinated services.
4 DD Councils received $75 million; P&As received $41 million; UCEDDs received $39 million. Projects of National Significance and Help America Vote Act were funded at 14 and 17 million respectively.
5 ADD is located in the ACF although the populations ADD mainly relates to are within the Department of Education (children) and CMS. See, "Rising Expectations: The Developmental Disabilities Act Revisited", NCD, February 15, 2011, pp. 38–40 for an analysis of ADD's position within the federal structure.
6 Information found at the Partners in Policymaking website: www.partnersinpolicymaking.com.
7 In 1981 federal Medicaid regulations under 1915(c) of the Social Security Act were changed to allow states to apply for a waiver that permits states to spend funds on community services for individuals who are otherwise eligible for institutional care.
8 Institutions for individuals with ID are facilities licensed as Intermediate Care facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICFs/MR) having 16 beds or greater. All data taken from, K. Charlie Lakin, et al., "Residential Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Status and Trends Through 2009," University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration/UCEDD, 2010.
13 Alabama and Georgia recently announced they are fully committed to closing all their state-operated facilities.
14 Steve Eiken, et al., "Medicaid Long Term Care Expenditures in FY 2009", Table: FY 2009 InstitutionCommunityRankings.xls, Thompson Reuters, August 2010.
15 NPRM CFR 441.304 indicates when applying for a HCBS waiver, the state agency, "must establish and use a public input process…[and] ensure meaningful opportunities for input for individuals served."
16 University of Massachusetts ICI, www.Statedata.info.
17 Centers for Disease Control statistics found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html.
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