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Public Input for NCCDD's 2027-2031 Five-Year State Plan

Beginning on Monday, March 2, 2026, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) is accepting public input on the Council's next Five-Year State Plan Goals and Objectives. Your input helps NCCDD ensure its initiatives serve the needs of North Carolina’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) community. The comment period ends Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Your input matters! Here's what you can do:

  1. Review the 2027-2031 Goals and Objectives listed below.
  2. Provide your input by taking the survey found after the list of Goals and Objectives.

NCCDD FFY 2027–2031 Goals and Objectives

GOAL 1: Increase Advocacy and Leadership for People with I/DD and Their Families by 2031.

The main idea: More people with I/DD and their families will become better advocates and leaders so they can direct their own lives and improve the systems that serve them.

OBJECTIVE A: Increase Advocacy

  • What we'll do: Each Year, the Council will strengthen at least 1 self-advocacy organization and ensure that people with IDD train their peers to become leaders, participate in cross-disability efforts, and do more advocacy on the issues critical to individuals with I/DD.
  • How we'll know it's working (Measurement): More individuals with I/DD will become leaders, participate in cross-disability efforts, and do more advocacy on issues important to individuals with I/DD.

OBJECTIVE B: Educate and Engage the I/DD Community

  • What we'll do: Increase education, training, and involvement opportunities for individuals and families on the critical issues and systems that impact people with I/DD.
  • How we'll know it's working (Measurement): More individuals with IDD and their families will be better informed, including about services and resources, and more involved in the critical issues and systems that affect individuals with I/DD and their families.

OBJECTIVE C: Raise Awareness with Policy Leaders and North Carolina Citizens

  • What we'll do: Increase awareness and understanding of policymakers, state leaders, and the public about the needs of individuals with I/DD and their families in North Carolina and ways to improve the systems and issues impacting the I/DD community.
  • How we'll know it's working (Measurement): More policymakers, state leaders, and North Carolinians will understand and act to meet the needs of the I/DD community.

GOAL 2: Help People With I/DD Have More Full, Meaningful, Secure, and Independent Lives with a Sense of Belonging and Community by 2031.

The main idea: More people with I/DD will have the housing, transportation, healthcare, safety, and support they need throughout their lives, including when emergencies occur, so they can have their needs met, thrive, and participate more fully in their communities.

OBJECTIVE A: More Housing Choices and Better Transportation

  • What we'll do: Increase access to housing and transportation that is affordable, safe, accessible, and integrated into the community and work with transportation groups, housing groups, and government agencies to find and remove obstacles so people with I/DD have better access to housing and transportation.
  • How we'll know it's working (Measurement): More individuals with I/DD will get to choose where and with whom they live in their community. More individuals with I/DD will be able to go where they need or want to go whenever they need or want to go.

OBJECTIVE (B): Better Prepare for and Respond to Emergencies, Natural and Other Disasters, and Emergent Issues

  • What we'll do: Prepare for and respond to emergencies, natural and other disasters, and emergent issues that impact the I/DD community.
  • How we'll know it's working (Measurement): State and local leaders as well as the I/DD community will be better prepared for and respond better to emergencies, natural and other disasters, and emergent issues.

OBJECTIVE C: Increase Access to Supports and Services

  • What we'll do: Increase access to supports and services that people with I/DD need to live in their communities with an increased sense of belonging. This includes, but is not limited to, increased access to: Medicaid Waivers, 1915(i) Medicaid, other paid supports, non-paid supports, technology, innovation, and a larger, well-paid, and trained Direct Support Professional workforce.
  • How we'll know it's working (Measurement): More individuals with I/DD will have access to the supports they need to live and thrive in their communities.

GOAL 3: Empower People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) And Their Families or Chosen Supporters To Be More Financially Secure and Independent by 2031.

The Main Idea: More North Carolinians with I/DD will have the money and assets they need to make their own choices, live more independently, and be more involved in their communities.

 OBJECTIVE A: Increase Competitive Integrated Employment

  • What We’ll do: We'll champion competitive integrated employment as the top priority for people with I/DD in North Carolina.
  • How we'll know it's working (Measurement): More schools, government offices, employment groups, disability advocates, and community groups will make getting a job with a living wage with people with and without disabilities working together (i.e., Competitive, Integrated Employment or CIE) their primary objective for people with I/DD and more people with I/DD will have competitive integrated employment.

OBJECTIVE B: Increase Post-Secondary Education Opportunities that Lead to Work and Independence

  • What We’ll do: North Carolina will become a leader in providing access to post-secondary education opportunities for people with I/DD to increase meaningful employment and independence.
  • How we’ll know it’s working (Measurement): More individuals with I/DD in North Carolina will have access to and go to colleges, community colleges, and other educational settings that lead to meaningful employment and greater independence

OBJECTIVE C: Build Financial Knowledge

  • What we'll do: We'll help people with I/DD become more financially secure by teaching them and their families about financial planning, employment, and benefits.
  • How we'll know it's working (Measurement): More people with I/DD and family members will know how people with I/DD can be more financially secure.

Complete This Survey to Provide Your Input

You can also access the survey using this link: https://forms.gle/xLJqW3dj9fuFo2t59