The North Dakota State Council on DD was established by state statute in 1979 under chapter 25-01-01.1 of the North Dakota Century Code. In addition to naming the North Dakota Department of Human Services as the Council’s designated state agency for administrative support purposes, this statute also identifies the Council’s responsibilities. Council meetings are usually held quarterly.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Council advocates for policy changes that promote choice, independence, productivity and inclusion for all North Dakotans with developmental disabilities. The Council supports projects and activities that maximize opportunities in these areas for consumers and families.
NUMBER of COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Council consists of 20 members appointed by the Governor for terms ranging from 2-6 years. At least 60 percent of the members are persons with DD or the parents, guardians or immediate relatives of such persons. Along with 12 such consumer representatives, state agency representation includes the State Developmental Center, Job Service, Human Services, Health Department, Public Instruction, University Center for Excellence in DD and Protection and Advocacy.
NUMBER of STAFF :
The Council employs a fulltime executive director and a part-time secretary.
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CURRENT COUNCIL PROJECTS
- Education/Early Intervention
Family to Family Network, Provider: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks
The ND Family to Family Network will continue to provide emotional and informational support to families with children having all kinds of disabilities and special healthcare needs.
NDACF Conference, ND Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minot, ND
This funding partially supports the 19th Annual Conference of the North Dakota Association of Community Facilities (NDACF) scheduled for April 27-29, 2005 in Fargo, and subsidizes a consumer participation component to that conference.
Disability Justice Initiative, ND Center for Persons with Disabilities, Minot, ND
Under this project, a systems change curriculum will be developed to improve interaction between North Dakota’s criminal justice/law enforcement system and citizens with disabilities.
Journey of Hope Training, Mental Health Association of ND, Bismarck, ND
This project will train family members to become effective peer to peer instructors to provide education and training on mental illness to other families.
Brain Injury Conference, Brain Injury Association of ND, Valley City, ND
This funding will be used to support consumer participation at the statewide Brain Injury Conference scheduled for October 15, 2004 in Fargo.
Partners in Policymaking, Dakota Center for Independent Living, Bismarck, ND
Partners in Policymaking is a self-advocacy model used by more than 40 states which provides leadership training for consumers with developmental disabilities, parents and family members to become knowledgeable about DD issues and to further their competency in becoming effective advocates for themselves. In FY 2005, the program is expected to train 25 people.
Advocacy Consortium, ND Disabilities Advocacy Consortium, Bismarck, ND
This grant supports continued development and maintenance of a statewide Disability Advocacy Consortium in North Dakota which will inform and educate policymakers on disabilities issues.
Self-Advocacy Solution, Listen, Inc., Grand Forks, ND
This project assists local self-advocacy groups in eastern North Dakota to become more effective in achieving systems change. The project will continue to identify and address consumer self-advocacy training needs.
Turtle Mountain Advocacy, ND Protection & Advocacy Project, Bismarck, N
This project will employ a fulltime disabilities advocate with an office located on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation.
Accelerated Independence Training, Community Living Services, Inc., Fargo, ND
This project provides intensive training and support services over a very limited time period for 36 DD individuals, resulting in job placement into competitive employment.
Inclusion Project, Rehab Services, Inc., Minot, ND
This project assists people with DD to achieve employment of their choice and creates and improves inclusion opportunities away from work in the community for those persons.
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EXAMPLES OF SIGNIFICANT LONG TERM ACHIEVEMENTS
Most Council-funded initiatives are intended to result in quality of life enhancements and improved service systems for people with DD. Below are listed a few of the Council’s more notable achievements:
• Assistive technology loan libraries including access to adaptive equipment services statewide.
• Corporate guardianship services for people with DD who have no family member or friend willing to serve as their legal guardian.
• Development start-up for accessible public transportation in Bismarck-Mandan.
• Ongoing leadership training for people with DD and their family members to further their ability to be effective advocates for themselves.
• Ongoing training for DD service system professionals on best practices for delivery of community-based supports.
FY 2004 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In its annual Program Performance Report to the federal Administration on DD for FY 2004, the Council reported a number of performance outcomes including those highlighted below:
• 34 adults with DD obtained jobs of their choice with 32 employers through Council efforts.
• 62 schools improved their Individual Education Planning (IEP) practices.
• 218 parents were trained regarding their child’s educational rights.
• 284 public policymakers were educated about disability issues.
• 182 individuals with DD received formal and informal community supports through Council efforts.
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