The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act(DD Act) requires Councils to establish goals and objectives under any of the Federal Areas of Emphasis, including Child Care, Community Supports, Employment, Education and Early Intervention, Health, Housing, Quality Assurance, Recreation, Transportation, and/or Cross Cutting. The Council develops a State Plan every five years to address the most important issues impacting the lives of people with developmental disabilities, and the Plan is updated annually based on community feedback and state and national policy developments that may require a shift in Council priorities.

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

2012 - 2016 State Plan Goals and Objectives

 

TRANSITION

 

GOAL 1: Youth with developmental disabilities will develop the prerequisite skills and receive the supports they need to live productive lives as adults.

OBJECTIVE 1.1: 500 youth with developmental disabilities will graduate from the Self-Advocacy Leadership Series for Youth in Transition by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 1.2: A transition specialist licensure program will be established by December 31, 2014.

OBJECTIVE 1.3: The Chapter 766 Individual Education Plan process will be integrated with the Chapter 688 Individual Service Plan process through the Bridges to Success and Passages to Independence initiatives by December 31, 2014.

OBJECTIVE 1.4: Short-term measurable objectives will be a requirement for all Individual Education Plans by December 31, 2014.

OBJECTIVE 1.5: The number of students with developmental disabilities attending college in the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (ICE) program will increase by 20% by September 30, 2016.

 

LEADERSHIP

GOAL 2: People with developmental disabilities will be actively engaged in leadership and systems advocacy.

 

OBJECTIVE 2.1: 100 people with disabilities will become effective new leaders in disability advocacy by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 2.2: 350 adults with developmental disabilities will graduate from the Self-Advocacy Leadership Series for Adults by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 2.3: 400 people with developmental disabilities will become new advocates in disability advocacy by September 30, 2016.

 

EMPLOYMENT

GOAL 3: People with developmental disabilities will have opportunities to work in meaningful jobs that meet their career expectations.

OBJECTIVE 3.1: The number of people with developmental disabilities acquiring and maintaining jobs in integrated work settings will increase by 25% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 3.2: 100 individuals with developmental disabilities will establish portfolios for competitive employment by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 3.3: The number of people living with autism and other developmental disabilities receiving employment supports will increase 50% by September 30, 2016.


SUPPORTING FAMILIES

GOAL 4: Families will have the supports they need to ensure fulfilling lives in the community for them and their children with developmental disabilities.

OBJECTIVE 4.1: The number of families accessing individualized community support services will increase 50% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 4.2: The number of families of persons with developmental disabilities accessing needed respite services will increase 20% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 4.3: The availability of inclusive after-school activities for children with developmental disabilities will increase by 25% by September 30, 2016.

 

HOMES

GOAL 5: People with developmental disabilities will have more long term housing options for living independently in the community.

OBJECTIVE 5.1: The number of people with developmental disabilities utilizing alternative housing options will increase 10% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 5.2: Supported housing available to people with developmental disabilities will be expanded by 25% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 5.3: 300 people with developmental disabilities will move from institutional settings to community living by June 30, 2015.

 

COMMUNITY SUPPORTS

GOAL 6: People with developmental disabilities will have the quality of services and supports they need to ensure fulfilling lives in the community.

OBJECTIVE 6.1: The number of community based service programs effectively using Positive Behavioral Supports to serve people with developmental disabilities will increase by 20% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 6.2: The pay rates for human services workers will increase by 15% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 6.3: The number of individuals living with autism receiving comprehensive community services and supports will increase by 50% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 6.4: The number of individuals living with developmental disabilities with a secondary mental health diagnosis receiving quality mental health services will increase by 20% by September 30, 2016.

OBJECTIVE 6.5: Increase the capacity for independent monitoring of the safety of people with developmental disabilities.

SELF DETERMINATION

GOAL 7: Individuals with developmental disabilities gain choice and control and exercise self-direction of the services and supports they receive.

OBJECTIVE 7.1: The number of people with developmental disabilities who maintain direct control of the use of their service dollars will increase by 25% by September 30, 2016.