State Plan

West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council
Five Year State Plan
FFY 2022-2026

Click here to view the FFY 2022-2026 Five Year State Plan

The Developmental Disabilities Council is an independent, self-governing State agency established by Executive Order of the Governor in 1972 and is funded by the Federal Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). Council membership is by appointment of the Governor and is composed of over sixty percent (60%) persons with developmental disabilities and family members. The Council also includes representatives of State government and other public and private organizations.

Council Mission

The Council’s mission is to assure that West Virginia citizens with developmental disabilities receive the services, supports and other forms of assistance they need to exercise self-determination and achieve independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in their communities.

Developing the Plan
The issues and priorities described in this Plan were identified by people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), family members, advocates, service providers and the general public. To gather input for this Plan, the Council conducted forums, focus groups and disseminated an on-line survey reaching more than six hundred (600) people. Three major focus areas emerged that participants of those activities suggested the Council work to improve or strengthen: 1) Service Systems, 2) Advocacy and Self-Advocacy, and 3) Community Building and Engagement.

This Plan seeks to strengthen advocacy and self-advocacy coalitions; improve how public services are provided to people with I/DD and their families; provide greater assurances that people with I/DD will be protected from abuse, isolation and neglect; improve opportunities for children to be educated in inclusive classrooms; facilitate efforts to improve supports for people who want to work; and assist and support communities in welcoming people with I/DD. The finalized Plan will include measurable objectives and performance expectations.

Council State Plan Goals

Service System: Public service systems will be more responsive to the needs of people with I/DD and their families so the people with I/DD will have better opportunities to learn, work and thrive in their communities. Activities will be carried out to address improvements in the service systems’ performance in critical areas such as: the use of person-centered approaches; the development and retention of a quality workforce; and the assurance of personal safety and rights protections.

Advocacy: People with I/DD, their families and allies will gain knowledge and develop necessary advocacy skills and use them to advocate for their rights, access to needed services and systems’ changes. Activities will support self-advocacy, cross-disability advocacy and leadership training.

Community Building and Engagement: Communities will include people with I/DD as participating, valued members. Activities will support and strengthen greater community engagement of people with I/DD; help people improve their self-image; and engage in healthy lifestyles and wellness programs.