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Five-Year State Plan

Every five years, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) creates a State Plan. This plan helps guide its work and decide which projects to fund to improve services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in North Carolina.

To make the plan, NCCDD looks closely at what people with I/DD in North Carolina need by asking for input to better understand what those needs are and what matters in local communities. The input is gathered through an online survey and through in-person and virtual listening sessions.

Public Input Request: NCCDD is collecting public input for its 2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan. Deadline to provide input is April 16, 2026. Learn more about the plan and how to provide your input.

2022-2026 Five-Year State Plan

The current Five-Year State Plan began on October 1, 2022, and ends on September 30, 2026. You can also download a PDF version.

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Goal 1

By 2026, increase financial security through asset development for individuals with I/DD.

Increase financial asset development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) so that they and their families have greater opportunities for choice, self-determination, independence and community engagement.

OBJECTIVE A

Increase Employment First within educational institutions, governmental entities, and society at large.

Measurement: More educational institutions, governmental entities, and the larger community will prioritize employment in the general workforce (Employment First) for citizens with disabilities in North Carolina.

OBJECTIVE B

Increase integrated competitive employment and long-term careers for people with I/DD through best and promising practices.

Measurement: More individuals with I/DD will have integrated, competitive employment and long-term careers through collaboration which will include education, workforce development, employment supports, employer engagement and barrier reduction.

OBJECTIVE C

Increase financial asset development and security by increasing knowledge (financial education/benefits planning), developing financial plans and implementing the plan’s goals.

Measurement: More individuals with I/DD will have a financial plan, leading to greater financial security. Increase financial asset development for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) so that they and their families have greater opportunities for choice, self-determination, independence and productivity.

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Goal 2

By 2026, increase community living for individuals with I/DD.

Throughout their lifespan transition and lifespan planning, more individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) will access housing, transportation, healthcare, health and wellness; participate in employment and community life; and be respected, valued and supported in their communities.

OBJECTIVE A

Increase access to affordable, accessible, safe, and fully integrated housing that provides choice and flexibility regarding where and with whom they live.

Measurement: More individuals with I/DD will choose where and with whom to live in their community.

OBJECTIVE B

Increase individuals with I/DD’s access to transportation by identifying and implementing strategies to eliminate barriers through collaboration with transportation agencies, state and local agencies, organizations, and advocacy groups.

Measurement: More individuals with I/DD will have transportation options to support community living and employment.

OBJECTIVE C

Increase equitable access to home and community-based healthcare, preventative healthcare, wellness opportunities, and address unmet health-related resource needs through individual, family, and stakeholder education and provider capacity building.

Measurement: More individuals with I/DD will have timely and equitable access to, and continuity of healthcare, preventative health, and wellness opportunities through system improvement and individual, family, and stakeholder education.

OBJECTIVE D

Increase person and family-centered transition education and lifespan planning.

Measurement: More individuals with I/DD will take part in transition and lifespan planning to address areas of employment, education, community living, and community relationships.

OBJECTIVE E

Increase the knowledge, training, and support for professionals that provide services to people with I/DD.

Measurement: More professionals in the field of I/DD will receive professional supports and training development to support and to advance rights, options, and opportunities, of individuals with I/DD.

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Goal 3

By 2026, increase advocacy for individuals with I/DD.

More individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) will lead and sustain self-directed lives through self-advocacy, family advocacy and stakeholder leadership.

OBJECTIVE A

Increase support to a statewide self-advocacy organization(s) through leadership development and coalition participation by:

  • establishing or strengthening a program for the direct funding of a state self-advocacy organization(s) led by individuals with I/DD;
  • supporting opportunities for individuals with I/DD who are considered leaders to provide leadership training to individuals with I/DD who may become leaders; and,
  • participation in cross-disability and culturally diverse leadership coalitions.

Measurement: More individuals with I/DD will knowledgeably advocate and take part in decisions that affect their lives, the lives of others and systems that affect those lives.


OBJECTIVE B

Increase individual, family, public and systems educational opportunities and engagement to improve the lives of individuals with I/DD and the system; with additional specific targeted disparity emphasis to increase the knowledge and engagement of members of the Hispanic/Latinx communities.

Measurement: More individuals with I/DD and family members will receive training and advocacy opportunities to better advocate on decisions that impact their lives, the lives of others and the system.

OBJECTIVE C

Increase understanding and awareness of policymakers, state leaders, and the larger community of the unmet needs of individuals with I/DD in North Carolina; with additional specific emphasis on DD Council collaboration with the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDDS) and the Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights System (P&A).

Measurement: The DD Network (DD Council, UCEDD, and P&A) will collaborate to develop and widely disseminate materials that explain critical aspects of the service system in a way that is easily understood and usable by people with developmental disabilities and their families.