All children have the right to develop and learn in the best way possible, so that they may, in turn,share their gifts and strengths with our community.”
~Susan Lawrence, Director of Parent Outreach
Educational Committee
Since its inception by parents in 1952, advocating for quality educational opportunities for our children has been a vital part of our organization. A little over 50 years ago our local school systems excluded all students with moderate and severe disabilities. Today,by federal and state law, all children have the right to go to school, to receive a quality education, and to be served in the least restricted environment.The Council understands that this would not have happened without the dedication, hard work and tenacity of parents, determined to move school systems forward in a positive and more inclusive direction. As parents, and as an organization, our work is not done. Although many of our children with special needs receive quality educational services, this is not true for all of our children. This is NOT acceptable. All children have the right to develop and learn in the best way possible, so that they may, in turn, share their gifts and strengths with our community. Parents have always made the difference for their children.
“Voiceless and Vulnerable”
The Council’s most recent strategic plan (2009) included a goal that directs our organization to “Maintain and enhance the Council’s historic commitment to monitoring and oversight of community programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities through formal & informal reviews and investigations of client-centered and/or program issues.” In July of 2010, the Council established a Task Force on Protection and Transparency to respond to that issue. Members of the Task Force include parents and family members, attorneys, a judge, and other professionals. The goals of the Task Force include the following:
1. Identify all the current issues related to transparency & client protection as related to children and adults with developmental disabilities (e.g. medical, educational, residential, child and adult protection, guardianship)
2. Identify real and perceived systemic barriers to client protection & safety based on confidentiality and non-transparency of access.
3. Develop recommendations to rectify situations that limit transparency and consequently negatively impact the safety and well being of individuals with developmental disabilities.
4. Develop strategies to address each recommendation.
5. Forward recommendations and strategies to the Council’s Board of Trustees for approval and action.
The Task Force has been meeting regularly and will conclude its work in December. On November 11th the Task Force will approve its final recommendations for action and forward those recommendations to the Council’s Board of Trustees for action at its November 29th meeting. The recommendations and action items will be announced by the Task Force at the upcoming Government Affairs Symposium on December 3rd. If you have questions, issues for the task force to consider, or simply want to know more about this important work, please contact April DuVal