What is the State Council on Developmental Disabilities?

State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Their Purpose

What is SCDD? SCDD was established by State and Federal law. SCDD's purpose to ensure that those with developmental disabilites receive the services and supports they need. SCDD is comprised of individuals with developmental disabilties, their families, and those who care for them, as well as, professionals from state agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.

SCDD consists of 29 members appointed by the Governor, with individual and family consumers representing a minimum of 60 percent of the membership. By law, Chairs of SCDD and its committees are individuals with developmental disabilities or members of their families. SCDD meets at least six times yearly and is assisted in carrying out its mission by SCDD staff and Area Boards.

Consumers know best what supports and services they need to live independently and to actively participate in their communities. SCDD advocates for coordinated, comprehensive community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance and works to ensure full access to these services. Federal law requires the Council to identify ways to improve and increase services for individuals and their families, and to submit these to the federal government in the form of a State Plan.

This Plan identifies priority areas for improving and increasing services for individuals and their families. Plan objectives are achieved through by SCDD and Area Board activities and Community Program Development Grants. The Plan must by approved by the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

The Plan addresses specific information required by federal law within specified priority areas, and includes the Council's determination of California's priority issues and resulting Council goals and objectives for the time period covered by the Plan. The Plan must by approved by the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

Councils on Developmental Disabilities are established in each state through the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. This Act also creates state protection and advocacy systems, university centers for excellence, and projects of national significance (see Council Links and Resources page). Each entity has a federally-assigned responsibility designed to improve services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and enhance independence, productivity and inclusion.

The Council's vision is:

• Californians with developmental disabilities are guaranteed the same full and equal opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as all Americans.

Toward that vision, the Council's mission is: 

• The Council advocates, promotes and implements policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with developmental disabilities and their families.

The Headquarters Office of the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities is located at:

1507 21st Street, Suite 210
Sacramento, California 95814

You may contact the Council by:
Mail: (see above address)
Toll free: 1-866-802-0514
Phone: (916) 322-8481
Fax: (916) 443-4957
TDD: (916) 324-8420
E-mail: council@scdd.ca.gov

As of January 1, 2003, the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities includes the staff and offices of the Area Boards on Developmental Disabilities. The Council's Area Board Offices are located throughout the state.

This information is from the SCDD's website. For further information please click on here: www.scdd.ca.gov/   

For more resources please click on the SCDD on-line library : www.edgateway.net/scdd/home.csp