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 All actions of the Executive Committee arel be reported to the Council at its next meeting and may be altered or rescinded by a vote of the Council.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 in PDF*

*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.

Public Policy Committee

Mission

To contribute to, and advocate for, an integrated public policy for persons with disabilities. This policy will enhance their ability to be independent, productive and included fully in community life.

Goals

A. Provide a forum for the development of sound public policy relating to persons with disabilities.

B. Provide a structure for influencing legislation, rules and policies affecting persons with disabilities.

C. Initiate and promote networking among advocacy groups, local and statewide, on legislation, rules and policies related to persons with disabilities.

Action Plans

A. Review periodic summaries of pending legislation and proposed administrative rules prepared by Council staff.

B. Review written staff analyses on items of highest priority.

C. Reach consensus or vote, as appropriate, on recommended positions and actions to be taken by the full Council on items of priority.

D. 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.

Guidelines for Developing Public Policy Recommendations

A. All positions will be consistent with the Council's mission statement and the Five-Year Strategic State Plan.

B. In the event there is an emergency and action must be taken quickly, the Council's director will contact the chairs of the Public Policy Committee and Council to decide on a course of action. If there is disagreement, no action will be taken until the issue is brought before the Public Policy Committee.

Nothing in this procedure is meant to preclude individual Council members from bringing an issue directly to the attention of the Council, nor is it meant to preclude individuals from taking action as private citizens.

Staff Roles and Responsibilities

A. Review pending legislation for impact on people with disabilities.

B. Prioritize bills after consultation with the Council director.

C. Prepare summaries and analyses of bills for Committee consideration.

D. Work with the Council director to make recommendations to the Committee regarding further Council action.

Public Policy Committee Roles and Responsibilities

A. Review information and recommendations from the policy analyst and Council director on: public policy; legislation; and administrative rules.

B. Arrive at a consensus or a vote, as appropriate, on priority positions and actions. Resulting recommendations are taken to the full Council for a vote.

C. Work with staff to identify and implement advocacy strategies and appropriate actions. They may include testifying at hearings, assisting in drafting position statements, or contacting legislators.