Purpose: To identify and address issues and needs pertaining to adults with developmental disabilities (age 18 years and older).

Advocacy

Purpose:  To arrange and coordinate meetings with local legislators to discuss DD issues on Staten Island. Committee also plans the Annual Legislative Breakfast and develops council position paper with input from other committees. 

Community Outreach

Purpose: To disseminate and publicize council information and other relevant issues to the community through flyers, newsletters, local newspapers, and presentations at council meetings.

Education

Purpose: To identify and address issues pertaining to the education of individuals with developmental disabilities (birth to age 21).

Family Support Conference & Resource Fair

Purpose:  To plan and implement the Annual Family Support Conference and Resource Fair.

Family Support Services Advisory Council (FSSAC) (formerly known as Consumer Council)

Purpose:  Membership is open to all family members who have a relative with a developmental disability and to individuals with a developmental disability. The FSSAC represents the interest of families and works with the SI Developmental Disabilities Services Office to identify, plan, develop, and monitor Family Support Programs and Services. Family Support Services include, but are not limited to, programs such as recreation, after-school, camp, social skill training, and support groups. The FSSAC also focuses on information sharing and on advocacy for all issues and concerns affecting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Health and Clinical Services

Purpose:  To focus on issues concerning all aspects of health services, including medical, rehabilitative and mental health.

Membership and Guidelines

Purpose:  To review new applications for council membership, assess membership status, and outreach for new members. Requests for By-Laws changes must be submitted to and reviewed by this committee and then brought to the executive board before being submitted to full council.

Property Planning

Purpose:  Advocating and participating in the development of a comprehensive plan for the future use of the Willowbrook property.

 Proposal Review

Purpose:  To assure that all residential, day program, and other HCBS proposals and funding plans are reviewed and endorsed (when applicable) in accordance with NYS OPWDD and NYC DOHMH procedures.  Committee will compile a list of people who are interested in being called when the Proposal Review committee meets. This is an ad hoc committee that meets as needed. Those interested in participating in this committee are encouraged to also participate on one of the other committees.

 Residential Quality of Life

Purpose: To identify and address issues pertaining to the quality of life of individuals with developmental disabilities living in residential settings.

 Service Coordination

Purpose:  To provide an opportunity for Service Coordinators/Case Managers and interested parties to network, exchange ideas, share resources and discuss current issues and trends.  Topics of relevance to service coordination are presented to guest and/or committee members at monthly meetings.