Legislative Priorities

We believe in promoting public policy that creates an integrated life within the community for Georgians with developmental disabilities, their families and all who love them.

One of the most important aspects of our system of government is that it is representative – those who make our laws represent us. But how can they represent us unless we let them know what we are thinking?

Legislative advocacy is just that – contacting a legislator, sharing your views on an issue, and asking him or her to vote a specific way on a bill. This can be done with something as easy as a phone call or letter, or by a formal meeting with the legislator or staff person. GCDD’s Public Policy Team encourages you to review our legislative agenda below to become familiar with our positions on issues important to the disability community.

To learn how to become a grassroots advocate, click here:

GCDD 2019 Legislative Priorities:

GCDD’s legislative platform for 2019 supports a number of important items.
Click here to download a pdf of the entire GCDD Legislative Priorities 2019.
Click each item below for more information.
* Indicates Items supported by GCDD but led by other entities

REAL SUPPORTS - DD Waivers

We believe that Georgia should work to eliminate the waiting list for NOW & COMP waivers. These waivers allow individuals with developmental disabilities who qualify for an institutional level of care to receive the supports they need in the community.

REAL LEARNING - Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE)

We believe that all students, regardless of ability, should have access to post-secondary education programs in the state of Georgia. Inclusive post-secondary programs provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities access to education not otherwise available.

REAL SUPPORTS - Medicaid

We recognize that Medicaid home and community based services are the lifelines that allow people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access their communities. We know that any proposal to cut, cap or reduce Medicaid funding to Georgia will put the lives of people with disabilities at risk.

REAL DECISIONS - Supported Decision-Making

We believe that all people, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, have the right and capacity to make their own decisions. We endorse supported decision-making agreements as a method for ensuring people have access to real decisions and a self-determined life.

REAL HOMES - Children’s Freedom Initiative

We believe that before the state pays to have a child housed in an institutional setting, a parent or guardian must have affirmatively rejected adequate supports to have the child in the home.

Caregiver Registry Expansion

We believe in expanding the caregiver registry passed in the 2018 legislative session to include the caregivers of individuals who use NOW, COMP and ICWP, as well as caregivers of those under age 65 who use SOURCE and CCPS, to ensure all Georgians with disabilities have the same protection and security of a background check for their direct support professionals.

The Shortage of DSPs: Workforce Crisis

We believe that a competent, well-trained, and caring work force of direct support professionals (DSPs) is essential to the health and wellbeing of individuals with disabilities who utilize home-and- community-based services. We support strategies to address this crisis so that people with disabilities can have the care they need.

ABLE Act

We believe in the importance of the Georgia STABLE program and support efforts to grow the enrollment of qualified individuals in Georgia. STABLE accounts can lead to an increase in independence and financial security for enrollees.

Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRC)*

The Georgia Council on Aging is advocating for $4 million to strengthen the ADRC statewide network by adding capacity to meet the growing demand for crucial information and access to services.

Organ Transplantation

The Arc Georgia believes that life-saving organ transplants should not be denied because of a person’s developmental disability.

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