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About VTDDC & Members

THE VERMONT DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Council is a state-wide board that works to increase public awareness about critical issues affecting people with developmental disabilities and their families. In addition to state agency and nonprofit representatives, 14 of its 23 members (61%) are self-advocates and family members.

Created under the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, VTDDC uses its federal funding to build capacity and advocate for changes to systems so that Vermonters with developmental disabilities are at the heart of Vermont’s communities. 

People with developmental disabilities, their families and guardians play a key role in letting VTDDC know what is happening for those with developmental disabilities throughout Vermont, and in deciding how to use its funds to have the greatest impact on people's lives.  VTDDC develops a State Plan every 5 years that drives its work and the grants it awards.  Its  projects focus on public education,  leadership  training, and advocacy aimed at enhancing individual and family-centered supports and services, the ability of people to speak for themselves and make choices,  and to exercise all the rights and protections of full community participants.


VTDDC Board Members As of March 27, 2008

 

Self Advocate, Individual & Family Members

 

Patricia Czarnecki

 Individual

   Ira

Pamela Dow 

 Family 

   Georgia

Herb Gingrich

 Individual

   Middlebury

Harriet Hall

 Individual

   Newport

Robert Harvey

Family

   Barre

Jay Lafayette

Individual

   Burlington

Brian Lawlor

Family

   Woodstock

Dennis Lindberg

Family

   S. Burlington

Lance Mead

Family

   Brandon

Robert Price

Family

   Essex

Jessica Sanville    

Individual   

   Lyndonville

Lisa Smedy

Individual

   Barre

Tami Trowell

Family

   Brattleboro

 

Agencies Represented on the Council

Lucy Abair

Vermont Department of Children and Families

Claire Bruno

Vermont Department of Education

Kathy Hamilton  

Nonprofit Representative

Renee Kievit-Kylar

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Sara Kobylenski

Vermont Department of Children & Families, Field Service Office

Ed Paquin

Vermont Protection & Advocacy

Susan Ryan

Center on Disability & Community Inclusion, UVM