The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by
state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people
with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and
supports they need. SCDD is uniquely composed of individuals with a
developmental disability, parents and family members of people with
developmental disabilities, and representatives of State agencies that provide
services to 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:
Roster
of Area Boards on Developmental Disabilities
The Council and Area Boards are covered by the Public
Records Act. A copy of the Public Records Access
Notice is posted to this website.
Click the links below to learn more about:
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