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Background and Major Responsibilities

Background

The major tasks for the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities outlined in federal and state law is to plan for and oversee the state's responses to the needs of people with developmental disabilities, and to act as an advocate to insure the provision of adequate, appropriate, and humane services. At the same time, the Council has become very involved in advocating for self-determination for people with developmental disabilities, including basic community services, such as health care, housing, transportation, education (including transition), and meaningful work opportunities. Initial authorizing federal legislation creating the Council was Public Law 91-517, the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act, which was signed into law on October 30, 1970.

This law has been amended and re-authorized numerous times. The Federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act amended the original federal legislation (PL 91-517) and now serves as the law that authorizes the Council's existence. It was re-authorized on August 6, 1996 for an additional three years.State legislation authorizing the Council was enacted in November 1971. This legislation, Chapter 322 of the Laws of 1971, created sections 15.197(11n), 51.435 and 51.437 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

This and subsequent statutes have been amended numerous times. The current law governing this Council is found in Chapter 51, section 51.437(14r). These laws identify the Council's responsibilities, conditions that must be met for federal assistance, requirements of the Council, and requirements of the State.

Major Responsibilities

The Council has federal (Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, as amended, Section 101(b), Section 121, and Section 124(c)) and state statutory (section 51.437(14r) responsibility to:

• promote a consumer and family-centered system, with an array of services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families
• examine the federal priority areas of prevention, education, and employment
• develop, implement, and monitor a state plan for people with developmental disabilities
• review the designated state agency responsible for people with developmental disabilities
• develop pertinent reports
• develop an operating budget
• hire and supervise staff
• make staff assignments.
• contract with agencies to administer programs funded with council resources
• advise the Department of Health and Family Services on community plans and budgets
• development, review, and monitor all state plans relative to programs affecting persons with developmental disabilities
• advocate for persons with developmental disabilities
• provide counsel to the governor and the legislature.

In short, the Council serves as an advocacy and planning body to influence the direction of programs and policies for individuals with developmental disabilities in the state. To assist in carrying out its responsibilities, the Council funds staff members to implement its priorities in the areas of grassroots advocacy, self-determination, transition, inclusion, public education, and legislative advocacy.