Raleigh, NC (December 1, 2016) – Dr. Patricia Burns Porter, PhD, was honored for her outstanding contributions in advocacy and leadership in the North Carolina disability community at the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) Advocacy and Leadership Awards on Nov. 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cary, NC.

Dr. Porter, currently a consultant to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and
Human Services, NC General Assembly, received the Helen C. “Holly” Riddle Distinguished Service Award that honors leadership by a professional in the field of intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD).

She was formerly the chief of developmental disabilities at the North Carolina Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services (MH/DD/SAS). Under her leadership, the state experienced the greatest growth in community services for people with I/DD. She directed her efforts to moving people with I/DD into the community, and with NCCDD, she was instrumental in forming the DD Consortium and Consumer Advisory Committee.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award. I have been involved with the Council for years and I know the tremendous work they do and the impact the Council’s work has on our state. This doubles my pride in being recognized,” Dr. Porter said.

From Chapel Hill, NC, Dr. Porter now serves as consultant to the NC General Assembly and works closely with the Legislative Oversight Committee for the Department of Health and Human Services. She is also a former member of NCCDD.

Chris Egan, executive director of NCCDD, said, “Our Council is pleased to honor Pat with this year’s Riddle Award. Pat’s strong belief that disability rights are human rights helps move us all forward on this journey to advocate for those with disabilities. We thank her for her continued vigilance at the state level in protecting disability rights.”

About the Helen C. “Holly” Riddle Distinguished Service Award:
The award is named for Helen C. Riddle who served the State of North Carolina as the executive director of NCCDD from 1990 until 2013. As an exceptional advocate for people with I/DD, Holly is committed to enhancing the quality of life for North Carolinians affected by I/DD. Holly is currently the Policy Advisor for the Office of the Director, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services and continues to collaborate with the Council.

About the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities:
The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) works to assure that people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all areas of community life. Through its Five-Year Plan, the Council identifies and funds innovative projects and initiatives that promote the goals of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) for all North Carolinians.

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