State Councils on Developmental Disabilities are funded through formula grants authorized under Subtitle B of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act). Councils are uniquely composed of individuals with developmental disabilities, parents and family members of people with developmental disabilities, representatives of State agencies that administer funds under Federal laws related to individuals with disabilities, and local and nongovernmental agencies. Members of a Council are appointed by a State's governor.

Councils pursue systems change (e.g., the way human service agencies do business so that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have better or expanded services), advocacy (e.g., educating policy makers about unmet needs of individuals with developmental disabilities), and capacity building (e.g., working with state service agencies to provide training and benefits to direct care workers) to promote independence, self-determination, productivity, integration and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life.

55 State Councils
There are 55 State Councils on Developmental Disabilities in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Marianas, and American Samoa. Councils are expected to work collaboratively with other entities funded under the DD Act, including the Protection and Advocacy systems, and the UCEDDs in the State.

Strategies
Councils utilize strategies such as training, educating policy makers and communities, coalition development, barrier elimination, and demonstration of new approaches to service. These strategies are incorporated into a five-year State Plan that includes, and is based on, a comprehensive review and analysis of services, supports, and other assistance in the State available to individual with developmental disabilities.