Based on the Council’s service and support needs assessment activities, which included public forums and needs surveys reaching more than seven hundred (700) people, seven major goals emerged during the planning process and serve as the foundation for the Five Year State Plan:
1) Self-Advocacy: People who have developmental disabilities will gain skills to take advantage of opportunities and receive necessary supports to a) self- direct their services and supports, and b) positively impact the design of and implementation of services for all people with developmental disabilities.
2)
Family Support and Training: Families of sons and/or daughters who have developmental disabilities will know their rights in order to obtain necessary services for their family members through participation in a wide range of targeted training and support.
3) Protection Against Abuse, Assuring Safety, and Rights Protection: The Council will develop strategies to increase the capacity of the West Virginia service system to reduce the risk of abuse, and incidence of mistreatment, seclusion and restraint of people with developmental disabilities.
4)
Direct Support Personnel Development and Training: In collaboration with the State developmental disabilities services authority, related State and local entities, people with developmental disabilities, families, and advocates, develop and implement a state plan for the recruitment, development, training and retention of qualified direct support professionals.
5)
Inclusive Education: Students with developmental disabilities of all ages and all levels of support needs will have access to quality, inclusive educational opportunities in their neighborhood schools and receive appropriate and timely supports at times of transition.
6)
Competitive and Valued Employment: People with developmental disabilities will be employed in the general workforce through the adoption of a State Employment First policy.
7)
Accessibility and Accountability in Public Services: Collaborate with State programs to develop and implement a method to insure timely and appropriate services and supports are provided to people with developmental disabilities in the most integrated setting, and to identify and meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities who are deemed not eligible or adequately served.