The Council

GCDD Council presents thank you plaque to Georgia Governor Nathan Deal Jan 2019 (l to r) Member Parker Glick, Executive Director Eric Jacobson, Gov. Deal, Deputy Director Kate Brady, Member Brenda Munoz

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, also known as “Georgia’s DD Council” is one of 55 entities of its type in the United States and territories that report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Community Living. It is authorized under Public Law 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act Amendments of 2000.

Our activities are governed by a 27-member board, appointed by the Governor and comprised of at least 60 percent individuals with developmental disabilities and family members. Other members include policymakers that represent various agencies and organizations having a vested interested in persons with developmental disabilities.

Originally established as the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, our name was changed in July 2009 to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, in accordance with legislation that ordered the reorganization of the Department of Human Resources (DHR), Department of Community Health (DCH) and the newly created Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

Today, GCDD continues to serve as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities. We are charged with creating systems change for people with developmental disabilities and their families by increasing opportunities for independence, inclusion, integration, productivity and self-determination. Activities include public policy research and analysis, reform, project demonstrations, education and training.


Applications for Council Membership

Applications for Council membership are always welcome and members of the disability community, including family members, are encouraged to apply at any time during the year. All applicants must complete and submit an application for consideration of endorsement to the Office of the Governor. If you are interested in applying to be considered as a Council member, please download the application below.

Applications can be emailed to or mailed to:

Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
Attention: D'Arcy Robb, Executive Director
2 Peachtree Street, Suite 26.240
Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Council Member Application (Word Doc)     Council Member Application (PDF)


Since our inception in 1971, GCDD has been a powerful advocate for more than 1.7 million Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families. The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities wishes to thank those members who rotated off the Council this year. Below is a list of current Council members.

Council Members / Advisory Board Members

        Jeff Allen
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency – Designee 
    Lori Campbell
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities – Designee
 Photo of Mark Crenshaw   Mark Crenshaw
Executive Committee Member
Center for Leadership in Disability - Georgia State University – Designee
 Photo of Brian Dowd   Brian Dowd
Georgia Department of Community Health – Designee
 Photo of Wesley Ford   Wesley Ford
Self-Advocate
Jackson
 Photo of Dorothy Harris   Dorothy Harris
Self-Advocate
Fitzgerald
Photo of Rena Harris   Rena Harris
Georgia Advocacy Office - Designee
Lawrenceville
Photo of Deborah Hibben   Deborah Hibben
Executive Committee Member
Parent Advocate
McDonough
Photo of Nandi Isaac   Nandi Isaac
Self-Advocate
Macon

 gcdd.wina low

 
 
Wina Low
Georgia Department of Education – Designee
 
Photo of Ruby Moore   Ruby Moore
Georgia Advocacy Office
Decatur
Photo of Lisa Newbern  
Lisa Marie Newbern
Council Chair
Atlanta
Photo of Evan Nodvin   Evan H. Nodvin
Executive Committee Member
Self-Advocate
Atlanta
Photo of Sharifa Peart  
 
 
Sharifa Peart
Georgia Department of Public Health – Designee
 
 
Photo of Dr. Zolinda Stoneman   Dr. Zolinda Stoneman
Institute of Human Development & Disability – University of Georgia
Athens
Photo of Sharia Stripling  

Sharia Stripling
Fort Valley

Photo of Elana Meyer Taylor  

Elana Meyers Taylor
Douglasville

Photo of Ron Wakefield   Ronald Wakefield
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
 

State Agency Partners


Commissioner Russel Carlson

Georgia Department of Community Health

Commissioner Candice L. Broce

Georgia Department of Human Services

Commissioner Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H.

Georgia Department of Public Health

Commissioner Kevin Tanner

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities

Commissioner Christopher Nunn

Georgia Department of Community Affairs

Executive Director Chris Wells

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency