Committees provide a forum for the development of sound policy for the Council. They provide a structure for educating policy makers, department directors, and legislators on legislation, rules, and policy that affect the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Committees use the products of the workgroups to develop policy for the Council. Committees identify and implement strategies that set priorities for the Council.

Committee meetings are open to the public. Please contact the Council office for current times and meeting dates. The telephone number is: 517-334-6123.

Executive Committee

Committee Mission

The Executive Committee directs the policy of the Council and implementation of the Five-Year Plan Strategic Plan. It acts on behalf of the Council between meetings. All actions of the Executive Committee arel be reported to the Council at its next meeting and may be altered or rescinded by a vote of the Council. Coordination, implementation, and oversight responsibilities are carried out by the Executive Committee.

Committee Membership

The Executive Committee consists of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, Council of RICC Chairs (CRC) chairperson, chairpersons of standing committees, and a maximum of two other members of the Council appointed by the chairperson. A majority of the Executive Committee are individuals with disabilities and immediate relatives or guardians of persons with developmental disabilities.

Diversity Committee

Mission

The mission of the Diversity Committee is to make the DD Council and all its activities more cultural competent so that people with disabilities from diverse populations can achieve equity of access and participation.

The committee advances the diversity issue throughout the council, placing value on all individuals and the different perspectives of those individuals, and promoting the process for all to feel included as part of a whole. Diversity includes race, gender, creed, age, life-style, national origin, disability, personality, educational background, and income level.

Methods of Outreach

• Recruiting members from RICCs across the state
• Building collaborations with other agencies that service diverse populations
• Participate in diverse conferences
• Joining diverse groups

Activities and Benefits of Being a Member:

• Committee works to identify and promptly address diversity issues as they arise and makes recommendations to the council
• Works to identify and help remove barriers that prevent people from diverse populations with disabilities from being included
• Help raise awareness of  the DD Council in diverse communities
• Diversity training
• Members help to create a more diverse council
• Members help to increase the visibility and involvement of people with disabilities in diverse communities.

Multicultural Committee Brochure *  

*The Diversity Committee was formerly the Multicultural Committee. An updated brochure is forthcoming. There are brochures available of all of our Council committee and workgroups in Arabic and Spanish languages.

Program Committee

Mission

To assure the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council's impact on improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Michigan by:

A. Overseeing, on behalf of the Council, implementation and evaluation of the Council's Five-Year Strategic State Plan (the Plan);

B. Providing oversight to the Council's grants program;

C. Making recommendations to the Council about the Plan and its implementation, evaluation, grants and other program issues.

Objectives

A. To insure that grant projects are developed and executed in accordance with Council intent as described in the Council‘s Five-Year Strategic State Plan, the committee will:

2. Periodically review and make recommendations to the Council's Executive Committee regarding procedures used to award grants;

3. Receive and review reports from selected grant projects in order to:

a. assess progress in implementing specific initiatives;

b. assist Council staff and grantees with solving complex implementation

problems, and;

c. support staff monitoring efforts by reviewing project progress reports and recommending alternative approaches when grant contract compliance is

questioned.

B. To develop strategies for assuring that the Council's program efforts:

1. Are evaluated for adherence to Council intent and for positive outcomes in the lives of people with disabilities and their families;

2. Lead to sustainable capacity development and systems change; and

3. Broadly disseminate findings and other information developed by Council-sponsored efforts.

Membership

The committee is always looking to enhance its membership. Working for the committee may include oversight of the council's active grants. This is a great way to keep up with issues and gather ideas for your own community's projects and activities. Members also take part in planning the council's future projects and stay in contact with key advocates around the state. The program committee is committeed to maintaining a culturally diverse environment that reflects the makeup of the people and communities we serve.

Public Policy Committee

Mission

To advocate for public policies for persons with disabilities that will enhance individual choice.

Activities

A. Introduce broad policy statements on key issues to the council with recommendation for adoption.

B. Plan and coordinate the annual council Legislative Day and awards ceremony.

C. Train RICC Public Policy Coordinators and members to advocate with legislators and other policy makers. 

D. Create ideas for new council grant projects

E. Develop position papers on issues important to public policy

F. WIth staff support, identify and implement advocacy strategies and appropriate actions that may include: testifying at hearings, assisting in drafting position statements, and contacting legislators.

G. Monitor websites and media to gain information on issues to share with RICCs and council members.

H. Build partnerships with allies to advocate for policies responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.

I. Attend conferences and seminars such as the National Disabilty Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C.

Membership

Members include advocacy partners such as Disability Network, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services, and the Developmental Disabilities Institute. Other members are self advocates, RICC members and their Public Policy Coordinators, and state angecy representatives. The committee is a place to discuss issues and is an opportunity to be part of planning and advocacy.

Public Policy Committee Brochure