Every five years, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities develops a State Plan that reflects a comprehensive review of major service systems and issues in North Carolina. It outlines goals, objectives and specific activities that will be implemented to bring about change. The State Plan guides the Council regarding how staff and fiscal resources are allocated. The Council's State Plan is developed in accordance with the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act).

The goals for the 2011-2016 Five Year State Plan are as follows:

• GOAL 1: TRANSITION

  Advocacy, capacity building, systems change efforts of the Council will give people with I/DD and their families more access to the services and supports they need to make life transitions.
  1.1 People with I/DD have more opportunities in post-secondary education.
  1.2 People with I/DD have education opportunities in the community college system.
  1.3 People with I/DD have economic opportunities, inclusive of competitive employment
  1.4 Families leverage their resources to support family member's life goal achievement.
  1.5 Communities support economic opportunities, including competitive employment for people with I/DD.
  1.6 State agencies supporting I/DD reciprocally share, educate and provide guidance on employment practices.
  1.7 People with I/DD participate in strategically designed internships after high school.
  1.8 Families and students with I/DD aware of post-secondary education and work options through regional and statewide summits.

• GOAL 2: SYSTEM RESPONSE TO PEOPLE’S NEEDS

  Advocacy, capacity building and systems change efforts of the Council will improve the ability of service delivery systems to respond to the needs of people with I/DD and their families.
  2.1 Council will fund Real Relationships and Child and After School Care initiatives.
  2.2 Council will fund Partners in Policymaking initiative.
  2.3 People with I/DD living in a home that they or their families rent or own.
  2.4 People with I/DD have transportation options that are affordable, accessible, reliable, flexible and safe.
  2.5 People with I/DD have access to needed primary and specialized health care services.
  2.6 People with I/DD have access to needed primary and specialized health care services.
  2.7 NC Service delivery systems respond to the needs of people with I/DD and their families.
  2.8 Guardianship and alternatives to guardianship advance lives of people with I/DD.
  2.9 People with I/DD have economic self-sufficiency from financial literacy and asset building skills.
  2.10 NC has an emergency preparedness program responsive to persons with I/DD.
  2.11 People and victims with I/DD are safe from abuse, neglect.
  2.12 Council funds Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Network Initiative.

• GOAL 3: SUPPORTS-WORKFORCE-LEADERSHIP/PROFESSIONALS

  Advocacy, capacity building and systems change efforts of the Council will improve the knowledge and skills of the workforce that serves people with I/DD and their families.
  3.1 NC Direct support professionals utilize the College of Direct Support/Direct Course.
  3.2 NC Care Coordinators and Community Guides engage in I/DD focused competency-based training.
  3.3 I/DD professionals engage in leadership training.
  3.4 Other professionals trained to provide quality services for people with I/DD.
  3.5 NC employment support professionals utilize the College of Direct Support/Direct Course for employment specialists.
  3.6 Establish NC Chapter of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals

• GOAL 4: SUPPORT/STRENGTHENING SELF ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS

  Council will strengthen a statewide self-advocacy program.
  4.1 People with I/DD provide leadership training.
  4.2 People with I/DD participate in cross-disability, culturally diverse, leadership coalitions and training opportunities.
  4.3 Assess self-advocacy efforts at the local, regional, and state levels.
  4.4 Siblings prepared to provided informal and natural supports for a brother/sister with I/DD.

• GOAL 5: COUNCIL QUALITY ASSURANCE/OPERATIONS

  
  5.1 Ensure accountability, advocacy, and outreach for NCCDD programs.
  5.2 Promote participation of people with I/DD and their families in public policy deliberations.
  5.3 Promote awareness of NCCDD initiatives.
  5.4 Fund people with I/DD/family members/guardians attendance at state and national advocacy building events.
  5.5 Enhance NCCDD membership decision-making skills and abilities.
  5.6 Sponsors content expert speakers at in-state or national conferences.