D'Arcy Robb, GCDD Executive DirectorEverything, everywhere, all at once. 

I have never seen the movie before, but that’s how I have been feeling. 

Winter is typically our busiest season at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). Public policy is a big part of our work, and during Georgia’s 40-day legislative session this year, we are all in and all over the Gold Dome. I love it, and I am so proud of our community’s advocacy work and accomplishments, but it is an intense time. 

And this year, the federal landscape is unprecedented. Under President Trump and the 119th Congress, major changes are in play that will make significant impacts on Georgians with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families. You can check out thisarticle for the details on Medicaid, the federal Department of Education, and the Section 504 Lawsuit. We’re working hard at GCDD to stay on top of the latest developments and to keep you informed. You can also get the latest updates and information by following GCDD on our social media channels. 

GCDD is currently in the planning process for our Five-Year Strategic Plan. This is important because it will guide GCDD’s work from 2027 to 2031. To make sure our work is impactful, we need to know what our community needs. Please take our survey and share it with your family and friends.

To complete the GCDD Survey, click the link below:

GCDD Five-Year Strategic Plan Survey

Did I mention that I love my job? I do. These days seem uncertain and there is a lot going on. I think the only way to get through these times is to get through together.

The GCDD staff frequently refer to each other as ‘team’, because we are. There is no way we could handle this volume of work without collaborating and working together. And, giving each other the grace to take a breather when we need it. I believe a million percent that makes us better and happier as people, and actually allows us to do our best work. 

Our team only begins with the staff. We could not do the work we do without our powerhouse Council members. Our members review, evaluate, and select our project grantees. They steer our policy agenda, come to the Capitol to testify and assume leading roles during Advocacy Days and at press conferences. They set aside time every three months to engage in day and a half long meetings, keep up with regular and ad-hoc committee work in the interim, and jump into last minute meetings as needed. Additionally, multiple Council members have said to us, “Tell me if there’s anything I can do” – and when we identify a need, they deliver.

I am so grateful for our Council members, their passion and their leadership. And from now on, these monthly “Letters from Leadership” will be shared between the members and me. 

But our community’s leaders and our team extend well beyond our members. Our full power is in the community – you. 

I think one of the most important things we do well as an agency is to stay heavily engaged with the members of our community, giving you information and opportunities for action and involvement. Thank you so much for participating in projects, coming down to the capitol, jumping on advocacy alerts, attending our events, and giving us feedback.

If you are reading this and thinking, “But I don’t do all those things” – you definitely don’t have to do everything. I believe you know where you can contribute and play your part alongside GCDD in our work during this season of your life. It could be calling your Congressperson when you see an advocacy alert. It could be participating in one of GCDD’s projects, or teaching a group of friends what resources are available in your community, or befriending your local legislator. The list of possibilities is endless, but it’s all needed and valuable, and it all builds into impact.

I hope you find the information in this issue of Making a Difference valuable, that it motivates you to act.

D’Arcy Robb
Executive Director
GCDD

I just returned home from the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee hearing, where I spoke about my support for Senate Bill 55, known as the Dignity and Pay Act. Excitingly, the committee unanimously voted to move the bill forward. If, or even better when, the Georgia General Assembly votes to approve, this law would end the use of 14(c) certificates in Georgia. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) has invested significant time and energy to ensure Georgians who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) receive fair compensation for their work, something long past due for our country and now a close reality for Georgians.

Passing this bill is especially timely as we greet March, which is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The National Association for Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) selected “We’re Here All Year” as this year’s theme to encourage people in and beyond the disability community to meet the people and know the work of NACDD, and to involve NACDD as appropriate in initiatives that promote self-determination, integration and inclusion for all people in the U.S. who have developmental disabilities. We are fortunate to have a strong relationship with our NACDD colleagues as well as priorities that align, such as our work to end 14(c). Together, we can and must overcome this antiquated rule to remove barriers people with disabilities still face and to create a world where everyone can succeed.

With success top of mind, I am pleased to share GCDD’s updated mission statement now includes “lead” – GCDD’s mission is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for the wide spectrum of diverse people with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, LEAD, work, play and worship in their communities. We are fortunate to have so many among us leading the way, and it was time for our mission to reflect their success and inspire others toward leadership in our communities and state.

I am humbled by the commitment of our community, inspired by GCDD’s history of success and motivated by the opportunities before us. Please let me know what more I can do as GCDD’s chairperson to represent the Council and you, to further our work and collaborations, and to ensure we continue Making a Difference in your community, Georgia and beyond.

Lisa Newbern
GCDD Council Chair