Committees provide a forum for the development of sound policy for the Council. They provide a structure for educating policy makers, department directors, and legislators on legislation, rules, and policy that affect the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Committees use the products of the workgroups to develop policy for the Council. Committees identify and implement strategies that set priorities for the Council.

Committee meetings are open to the public. Please contact the Council office for current times and meeting dates. The telephone number is: 517-334-6123.

Executive Committee

Committee Mission

The Executive Committee directs the policy of the Council and implementation of the Five-Year Plan Strategic Plan. It acts on behalf of the Council between meetings. All actions of the Executive Committee arel be reported to the Council at its next meeting and may be altered or rescinded by a vote of the Council. Coordination, implementation, and oversight responsibilities are carried out by the Executive Committee.

Committee Membership

The Executive Committee consists of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, Council of RICC Chairs (CRC) chairperson, chairpersons of standing committees, and a maximum of two other members of the Council appointed by the chairperson. A majority of the Executive Committee are individuals with disabilities and immediate relatives or guardians of persons with developmental disabilities.

Multicultural Committee

Goal

Develop recommendations and procedures to help the Council fulfill the policy statement: "The special needs of minorities and culturally-diverse populations will be recognized and supported in all goal areas activities." These recommendations and procedures will: incorporate activities that address special issues of outreach and involvement; and promote service equity for multicultural populations in the disability network.

Method

The committee, at minimum, represents these minority groups:

A. African-American

B. Arab-Chaldean

C. Asian-American

D. Hispanic

E. American Indian

Members are either a person with a disability or have a working knowledge of disability issues.

Charges

A. Develop a vision and workplan for the committee.

B. Identify issues unique to specific multicultural ethnic groups.

C. Suggest specific methods for removing barriers to full participation for those with disabilities who are from culturally-diverse populations.

D. Assist the Council to identify and develop incentives that increase minority participation.

E. Target potential members from each minority group, with the objective of increasing the Council's minority "pool" from which contributors are drawn for sundry Council activities.

F. Generate tools and methods to accomplish the above.

Outcomes

A. A policy statement on multicultural involvement in Council activities.

B. List of recommendations and action steps.

C. An increase in Council's awareness and understanding of special needs required by culturally-diverse minority groups; ability to support these needs.

D. Identification of present practices strategies. Objective: addressing barriers to minority participation in disability-related activities.

E. More minority presence in grants process. Result: more participation in present and future projects.

F. A leadership role by the Council to expand minority participation in the disability network.

Program Committee

Mission

To assure the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council's impact on improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Michigan by:

A. Overseeing, on behalf of the Council, implementation and evaluation of the Council's Five-Year Strategic State Plan (the Plan);

B. Providing oversight to the Council's grants program;

C. Making recommendations to the Council about the Plan and its implementation, evaluation, grants and other program issues.

Objectives

A. To insure that grant projects are developed and executed in accordance with Council intent as described in the Council‘s Five-Year Strategic State Plan, the committee will:

2. Periodically review and make recommendations to the Council's Executive Committee regarding procedures used to award grants;

3. Receive and review reports from selected grant projects in order to:

a. assess progress in implementing specific initiatives;

b. assist Council staff and grantees with solving complex implementation

problems, and;

c. support staff monitoring efforts by reviewing project progress reports and recommending alternative approaches when grant contract compliance is

questioned.

B. To develop strategies for assuring that the Council's program efforts:

1. Are evaluated for adherence to Council intent and for positive outcomes in the lives of people with disabilities and their families;

2. Lead to sustainable capacity development and systems change; and

3. Broadly disseminate findings and other information developed by Council-sponsored efforts.

Public Policy Committee

Mission

To contribute to, and advocate for, an integrated public policy for persons with disabilities. This policy will enhance their ability to be independent, productive and included fully in community life.

Goals

A. Provide a forum for the development of sound public policy relating to persons with disabilities.

B. Provide a structure for influencing legislation, rules and policies affecting persons with disabilities.

C. Initiate and promote networking among advocacy groups, local and statewide, on legislation, rules and policies related to persons with disabilities.

Action Plans

A. Review periodic summaries of pending legislation and proposed administrative rules prepared by Council staff.

B. Review written staff analyses on items of highest priority.

C. Reach consensus or vote, as appropriate, on recommended positions and actions to be taken by the full Council on items of priority.

D. With staff support, identify and implement advocacy strategies and appropriate actions that may include: testifying at hearings; assisting in drafting position statements; and contacting legislators.

Guidelines for Developing Public Policy Recommendations

A. All positions will be consistent with the Council's mission statement and the Five-Year Strategic State Plan.

B. In the event there is an emergency and action must be taken quickly, the Council's director will contact the chairs of the Public Policy Committee and Council to decide on a course of action. If there is disagreement, no action will be taken until the issue is brought before the Public Policy Committee.

Nothing in this procedure is meant to preclude individual Council members from bringing an issue directly to the attention of the Council, nor is it meant to preclude individuals from taking action as private citizens.

Staff Roles and Responsibilities

A. Review pending legislation for impact on people with disabilities.

B. Prioritize bills after consultation with the Council director.

C. Prepare summaries and analyses of bills for Committee consideration.

D. Work with the Council director to make recommendations to the Committee regarding further Council action.

Public Policy Committee Roles and Responsibilities

A. Review information and recommendations from the policy analyst and Council director on: public policy; legislation; and administrative rules.

B. Arrive at a consensus or a vote, as appropriate, on priority positions and actions. Resulting recommendations are taken to the full Council for a vote.

C. Work with staff to identify and implement advocacy strategies and appropriate actions. They may include testifying at hearings, assisting in drafting position statements, or contacting legislators.