History of the Council within the State: Executive Order by the Governor; The Council has always been located in the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, serving as the Designated State Agency.

  MISSION STATEMENT

The Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities is a body of advocates, appointed by the Governor, who promote quality of life for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the community at large. Improvement in quality of life is provided through initiatives that have potential for replication, thus creating systemic change.

NUMBER of PEOPLE with DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES in MISSISSIPPI:

Estimated to be 40,000

NUMBER of COUNCIL MEMBERS

30 Council members; 19 members are either persons with developmental disabilities or family members; agencies/entities included are Department of Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Health, Private/Non-Profits, Mental Health Center, UCEDD and MS P&A Services.

NUMBER of STAFF: 2

STANDING COMMITTEES: Executive, State Plan, Rules, Monitoring and Evaluation

FREQUENCY of MEETINGS: Quarterly and Special Events

DESIGNATED STATE AGENCY/ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY:

Mississippi Department of Mental Health

2005 FEDERAL ALLOTMENT: $941,330

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CURRENT COUNCIL PROJECTS

Current projects organized by areas of emphasis (projects funded for FY 2005):

• Quality Assurance:

Harrison Council Schools (Planning for Transition to Quality Community Life): During FY 2004 107 participates learned to individualize instructional teaching strategies for students with significant and multiple developmental disabilities.

Mississippi Film Video Alliance (On A Roll/The Strength Coach with Greg Smith): During FY 2004 Mr. Greg Smith spoke to approximately 26,000 people as a keynote address speaker at various state regional and national conferences supporting systemic change for individuals with developmental disabilities.

ARC/MS (Developing Self-Advocacy and Leadership Skills): During FY 2004 approximately 70 self-advocates participated in leadership development activities and made presentations to approximately 3,600 people throughout the state.

ARC/MS (Direct Support Professional Opportunity): During FY 2004 102 direct support professionals (direct care staff) participated in the College of Direct Supports.

• Transportation

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (Choctaws Have Options Concerning Transportation and Work - CHOCTAW): During FY 2004 141 individuals from 5 Choctaw communities received 627 vouchers for personal mobility.

Lift, Inc. (Social Integration and Leadership Initiative – SIL): During FY 2004 131 individuals received approximately 5,000 rides to destinations of their choice through flexible mobility (where and when you want to go).

• Recreation

Promoting Systemic Change in Community Recreation: During FY 2004 883 people were actively involved in supporting inclusive recreational activities, primarily supporting the development of a inclusive model in a city park and recreation service.

Fitness Circuit: The Council is investing a significant amount of money to develop a Fitness Circuit, previously referred to as the Fitness Trail, with exercise stations along the route. The University of Southern Mississippi is partnering with the Garth Brooks Foundation to include an accessible tree house along the Fitness Circuit route.

• Education

Pearl River Community College (Project SUCCESS): During FY 2004 approximately 130 students received support services an higher education throughout the state, primarily within the fifteen community colleges. And approximately 400 persons attended training activities supporting higher education for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Success with Vision (Individual Portfolio Development Project): During FY 2004 a model for providing support to students with deaf/blindness, their parents and teachers was developed providing support/training to approximately 450 individuals.

University of Mississippi Medical Center (Model Autism Support Project for Children, Families and Teachers): During FY 2004 18 children with autism, their families and teachers received support for the purpose of maintaining children in their school and community as opposed to being sent to a segregated service or special school.

• Formal & Informal Community Supports

4-H Club of Mississippi (MS 4-H Statewide Developmental Disabilities Inclusion Project): This is a new initiative to promote inclusion activities for all 4-H Chapters within the 82 counties within the state. The project is expected to have an impact on approximately 75,000 4-H participates.

• Housing

Living Independence for Everyone – LIFE (Creative Community Living Options): The Council funded this new housing initiative, managed by parents of children and adults with developmental disabilities, to explore and develop creative living options other than segregated or clustered living arrangements.

 

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EXAMPLES OF SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS

Results of representative past (or ongoing) projects

A “smart car”, to be used by people with disabilities who are unable to have a regular vehicle modified for them, was developed by the T.K. Martin Assistive Technology Center at Mississippi State University.

A DVD entitled “Living with Disabilities” was developed by Mississippi Film Video Alliance Project featuring best/positive practices for individuals with development disabilities in areas such as Employment, Housing, Recreation, Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination, Person-Centered Planning and information about the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities.

A product entitled “Justice for All” was developed to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families who are victims of crime. The final product, of this three year initiative, features a Training Manual, Victim Service Provider Resource Guide, Advocate Handbook, and an Attorney Handbook. Each of these products is also on video.

Other achievements during FY 2004:

• 351 students have the education and support they need to reach their educational goals through Council efforts
• 113 people have needed health services through Council efforts
• 883 people were active in recreational activities through Council efforts
• 242 people have transportation services through Council efforts
• 353 people were trained in leadership, self-advocacy and self-determination
• 2 people obtained membership on public and private bodies
• 3007 copies of product distribution to policymakers
• 701093 members of the general public estimated to have been reached by public education and awareness

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