September 2025

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and allies work hard every day to make life better for the disability community. Along the way, they face many challenges in society, politics, money, and systems. One of the biggest challenges is getting and keeping the funding needed for important services that support people with I/DD.

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) and the Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities (SPADD) are working together during the January 2026 Georgia legislative session. Lawmakers will be discussing the budget for disability services and staffing. GCDD and SPADD want to make sure there are no cuts to adult disability services, staff, or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

They are also asking for more New Options Waivers (NOW) and Comprehensive Support Waiver Program (COMP) waivers. These Medicaid programs help people with disabilities get the care and support they need.

This ask comes just after the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1), which was signed into law in July 2025. Starting in January 2027, Medicaid cuts will make the future of NOW/COMP waivers uncertain for Georgians.

Georgia's Medicaid program covers more than 2 million people. This includes over 200,000 people with disabilities. Medicaid pays for important services. These include NOW/COMP waivers. These waivers provide Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) for people with I/DD. Medicaid also pays for TEFRA/Katie Beckett Waivers. These cover tests and treatment for children with significant disabilities.

HR1 does not directly cut HCBS. But history shows us something important. When Medicaid faces budget cuts, optional services like HCBS are often cut first.

Advocates from Uniting for ChangeThis is a big concern because there are about 7,900 Georgians with I/DD who are already on the waitlist for these services — and that number could grow if cuts happen. In the past, GCDD asked lawmakers to fund 2,400 new waiver slots, as recommended by the I/DD Senate Study Committee in 2022. However, the state budget for 2025 only added 100 new slots.

“NOW/COMP waivers are key for individuals with disabilities,” said Katie Bailey, Director of Project and Operational Strategy at Sangha Unity Network (SUN), a nonprofit that helps people with I/DD build self-advocacy, leadership, connections, and independence. “[The waivers] open the door for people to have the option to access their community and live in a home of their choosing rather than an institution or nursing facility.”

SUN often collaborates with GCDD with its advocacy at the Georgia State Capitol and will continue to support GCDD during the next legislative session. SUN also supports Uniting for Change, a self-advocacy organization that empowers people with disabilities through self-advocacy mentorship and teaching.

Bailey added, “Last year, some of the members of Uniting for Change presented at the various advocacy days at the capitol. We need to elevate the voices of those with lived experience and allow people to speak directly about how these cuts will affect them.”

Stephen Spurrier"I feel that cuts would impact me very greatly in a negative way if resources are not handled correctly,” said Stephen Spurrier, a SUN board member and Uniting for Change U4C Leadership Collective member. “I appreciate all the hard work that is done but I think decisions like this need to be deliberated on and thought through very thoroughly before making a move.”

Spurrier added that he would like to take full control of his services and decide who his provider is and when he will receive care. “Should the waiver be decreased for any reason, this could greatly hamper my future endeavors and affect the entire trajectory of my life."
These cuts do not just affect how many people get services — they also lower the quality of care and make it harder to find providers for people already receiving help. One key service in the NOW/COMP waivers is access to direct support professionals (DSPs). DSPs are very important for people with I/DD because they provide daily support and help teach life skills and social skills.

“DSPs are the most important people in the lives of individuals with I/DD,” said Danny Hoover, Chief Operations Officer of Diversified Enterprises, an agency that helps people with I/DD learn job skills and find work in the community. “[DSPs] often provide people emotional, physical, medical, and financial literacy support. They are integral to the happiness and joy of people with I/DD. Also, people become attached to their DSPs, and that can make it hard to adjust when staff is shifted.”

Danny HooverUnfortunately, it has been very challenging to hire and keep DSPs in Georgia, particularly due to low wages compared to the skills and work required.

“Many times, DSPs make the same wages as fast-food and other low-wage workers,” explained Hoover. “When you are hiring for a job like DSP, which requires a broad skillset, and your wages compare to low-wage jobs, you lose highly skilled applicants who will instead look for higher-paying positions.”

Hoover said that raising DSP wages in the past has helped. Pay has gone up during the last four years, but it’s still not enough to fix the shortage of workers.

“We do rate studies periodically, but we don’t offer cost of living adjustments (COLAs) like other states,” notes Hoover. “If we did, DSPs would have had an additional 20% increase in wages by now. The state needs to be more strategic about how Medicaid allows funds to be used.”

Currently, DBHDD does rate studies for the NOW/COMP waivers. These studies help decide DSP wages and how money for I/DD services is spent. Lawmakers use the studies to understand what is needed and to make decisions about Medicaid services and funding. In 2024, The rate increase was supported by a combination of state funding ($28 million from DBHDD) and federal matching funds, totaling $107 million.

While more waivers and avenues to increase DSP wages and retention remain a top priority, GCDD and SPADD are partnering in the upcoming legislative session to make sure there are no cuts to DBHDD’s staff.

DBHDD is key to administering I/DD services, especially the NOW/COMP waivers. The agency cites that not having enough staff is why new waiver slots haven’t been added. If more waivers are created, DBHDD will need more staff, not fewer.

“DBHDD tries to do their best with the resources they have to put people into services as quickly as possible,” said DeAnna Julian, CEO of the Frazer Center. “They definitely can’t afford to lose staff, and a lot of our service providers can’t afford to lose staff. Really, the ability for people to access those services relies on quick and efficient processes through DBHDD.”

DeAnna JulianThe Frazer Center is a nonprofit that runs a child development program for children with and without I/DD, and an adult program for people with I/DD. The adult programs are funded by NOW/COMP waivers. Julian says that in her experience, cutting DBHDD staff hasn’t directly reduced access to services, but it has caused longer delays.

“If there were a reduction in DBHDD staff, people with I/DD would definitely see even bigger delays and less access to services,” said Julian. “They need that staff for assessing waiver applicants and ensuring provider capacity and placement.”

During each fiscal year, people with I/DD must fight to keep the services they already have and ask for more resources. That’s why it’s so important to speak up for yourself. The strongest voices are the voices of the people who will be affected by budget cuts. Julian suggests learning about the issues, practicing how to tell your story, and connecting with organizations like SPADD and GCDD.

“To me, there’s power in numbers,” said Julian. “If we present a united front, that’s so much more powerful than all the individual silos. Parents coming together with advocacy organizations are much better poised to make a difference and an impact.”

The following sources provide further information regarding this topic:

• https://gcdd.org/images/public_policy/2021/WaiverPrimer_V2.pdf
• https://georgiarecorder.com/2021/09/29/georgias-disability-support-staffing-shortage-now-at-epic-proportions/
• https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-connected/dd-provider-faqs#:~:text=DBHDD%20maintains%20a%20Planning%20List,person%20who%20manages%20this%20work
• https://gcdd.org/images/2024/Legislative_History-Waivers-FINAL.pdf
• https://gcdd.org/news-a-media/making-a-difference-magazine/august-2025/fight-for-medicaid-whats-next

For more information, visit www.gcdd.org.

Please join me in welcoming GCDD’s two newest employees: Cathy Harmon-Christian as our Public Policy Director and Rena Harris as our Chief Program Officer. By the time you read this, they will have been on the job for a couple of weeks, settling in, setting priorities and, I’m sure, already making a difference with their expertise.

I participated in the selection processes that brought Cathy and Rena into GCDD’s employment. The pool of candidates for both positions was competitive, and I’m excited our top choices accepted our offers. I know Cathy and Rena will be great additions to the GCDD team, and I look forward to working with them.

While I'm thrilled about Cathy and Rena joining our team, I also want to share some insights from the broader interview process. All the candidates were well-qualified and enthusiastic. During our conversations, they offered valuable advice that I thought would benefit our entire GCDD community. This Letter from Leadership is the perfect opportunity to pass along their wisdom.

I encourage you to consider the information below and how it can help our GCDD team – Council members, employees, partner organizations, self-advocates, family members, friends, and others – advance our work together and toward system and policy changes:

• Observe, listen, talk to as many as possible and ask questions. The more we learn, the more we can think about opportunities, barriers and affecting change.
• Always think about who our work will impact. Why we are here, what we are doing, and who we are serving.
• Get to know, care about and respect each other, have open lines of communication and build trusting relationships. This will help bring people to the table.
• Consider this framing: Rights, resources, representation, and respect.
• Stand up for people who can't always do so for themselves – help them be seen and heard.
  Use our experience to do our best in the moment and also learn as we go. This helps us be prepared.
• Give praise as soon as possible.
• Dare to lead – make it a better, meaningful place for all.

One candidate also shared, “GCDD is one of the most respected organizations in the state and continues to be sought for experience and knowledge.” I agree and don’t take lightly the enviable position our Council holds.

As we move into fall, we’ll be taking the next steps in developing our new five-year plan and accelerating our planning for the 2026 session of the General Assembly. I extend my appreciation for everyone and all that you do and share my excitement for all to come based on our continued commitment to Making a Difference!

Lisa Newbern
GCDD Council Chair

“What’s Happening in Your Town” features the perspectives of people with developmental disabilities about their own experiences in their communities. The column gives them a space to freely share their own opinions and their lived experiences with others. Interested in writing an article? Send an email to Tianna Faulkner, Editor-in-Chief at .

Hi, my name is Ben Oxley and I’m from McDonough, Georgia. When I was a kid, McDonough was a quiet little town, just 20 minutes south of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. Older people and the generation of folks like me only knew it as a quiet little town where everyone knew everyone. You would find out about local news, like the opening of a new grocery store, just by talking with a friend at your favorite restaurant, as you enjoyed the signature weekly lunch special.

Then the community slowly realized that the small restaurants and other familiar places were disappearing, and that friends we once shared that lunch special with had moved on. Big chain stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target replaced the spaces where those small businesses once stood. Traffic picked up and more housing was built. We realized those weekly down-home lunch specials were a thing of the past, as the big city moved closer to McDonough.

Growth is good for the overall infrastructure of the community because it brings more tax revenue. At the same time, it also makes those of us with disabilities feel left out. Many feel that they are not considered in the planning for this growth. There is no more talk of the great conversations we used to have when sharing lunch specials. Now many of us can only sit at home with a friend and remember where you used to go every Taco Tuesday to catch up on what’s happening. People with all types of abilities need to be a part of the conversations during this time of growth in our once small town.

So where do we start to become a part of that conversation? We come together to talk about the things that need to be done to include people with disabilities – to remind the city to always consider people first when building something new. And there is still work to be done within the areas that were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, we can start by making repairs to the beautiful McDonough Square. Those repairs should include making it accessible. We also need to advocate for accessible walkways, like installing ramps and repairing sidewalks. Changes like this will allow everyone to attend events with family and friends, such as the annual Geranium Festival held at the Square.

For me, I will continue to improve my skills as an advocate and put myself in a position to represent my town of McDonough and give a voice to the voiceless. For example, I am taking the things I learn from the guests I have on my podcast and share them with others. I’m taking every opportunity to serve in leadership roles of organizations. Right now, I’m on the board of directors for All Terrain Georgia to ensure that people with disabilities can feel the breeze when they hit the hiking trail for their first time – just like anyone else. And one day, I hope to be a national advocate to show the spirit of the great down-home lunch specials, and make sure the conversations never go away.

Working together should be at the forefront of what it means as a community to make a town for everyone to enjoy. When people with disabilities have a seat at the table, the impact goes far beyond warming the spirits of those around them. Instead, these conversations create lasting warmth and meaningful change that touches the soul of entire communities forever.

Hello advocates! We’re back with another federal update on critical funding for the disability community. In our previous articles, we’ve worked hard to give you all the essential information about how proposed federal budget cuts could affect people with disabilities. In this update, we will also cover new information from the Governor’s Office asking state agencies not to request increased funding for the upcoming state budget. Finally, we will share how you can help advocate on these issues and get involved with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) advocacy ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

Federal Update

As a recap: the Presidential Administration’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 recommended eliminating core funding for the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs, and making significant cuts to state Protection and Advocacy organizations (P&As).

In Georgia, these programs include:

• Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University – UCEDD
• Georgia LEND at the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University – Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities
• Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia – UCEDD
• Georgia Advocacy Office – P&A

Right before the Senate’s August recess, the Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations held a markup for the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) bill. This markup allowed Senators to make changes, and the committee voted to reinstate essential funding for these programs. The bill has now passed out of committee and will head to a full Senate vote, expected in early September.

We have been in close contact with Georgia’s federal Senators, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, emphasizing the critical importance of these programs.

Now Our Focus Shifts to the House

The next step is advocacy in the U.S. House of Representatives. Georgia plays a unique role here:

• Representative Sanford Bishop sits on the Appropriations Committee
• Representative Andrew Clyde serves on the Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

GCDD is tracking the Senate and House sub-appropriations committees and working to build relationships with both representatives throughout this process. Representative Clyde, who serves the 9th district in Georgia, sits on the subcommittee. Representative Bishop, who represents the 2nd district in Georgia, serves on the full appropriations committee. We are urging the House Appropriations Committee to follow the Senate’s lead and support these critical programs for the disability community. Keep an eye out for GCDD advocacy alerts on how you can get involved.  

Shifting from Federal to State

Summer is coming to an end, and work under the Gold Dome has already begun. Since the passage of HR 1—also known as the “Big Beautiful Bill”—state agencies have been scrambling to understand how it will affect services and supports in Georgia, especially Medicaid.

Each early fall, state agencies must submit their budgets for the upcoming year to the state government. This year, the Office of Planning and Budget, which oversees each state agency’s budget, recently sent a letter calling for flat funding in the upcoming fiscal year. This means state agencies cannot request additional funding for next year.

This is concerning for disability advocates. Georgia already has waitlists for services like the New Option Waiver (NOW) program and Comprehensive Support Waiver Program (COMP) waivers, and these lists grow each year. Now is the time to contact your state legislators and explain why waiver funding and disability issues are critical to your community. Georgia’s disability community needs sustained investment to ensure people with disabilities can live and participate fully in their communities.

At our August Council meeting, the members of GCDD voted on our public policy agenda for the coming year. GCDD will lead advocacy around three public policy priorities:

1. More funding for NOW/COMP waivers.
2. Transitioning the work of the Behavioral Health Commission’s I/DD subcommittee into a long-term effort to address issues for Georgians with developmental disabilities.
3. Preserving and strengthening educational supports for Georgia students with developmental disabilities.

GCDD will work with partners around two public policy priorities:

1. Advocating for the creation of an abuse registry, to help end neglect & abuse.
2. Advocating for I/DD specific training for law enforcement.

Last but not least, GCDD will maintain the flexibility to address any critical issues that may arise. In the world of advocacy, you never know what can happen, but we’ll be right there in the middle of it.

For more information, visit www.gcdd.org or follow us on our social media channels.

Rena Harris is the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities’ (GCDD) new Chief Program Officer. Rena will lead efforts across Georgia to improve services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She will make sure their voices are heard and that the agency's work represents all of Georgia's disability community.

With more than 25 years of experience in disability rights and human services, Rena brings deep expertise in policy advocacy, community engagement, and organizational leadership. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. She is known for building strong partnerships with self-advocates, families, providers, and policymakers.

She began her career as a Direct Support Professional working with individuals who recently moved from institutions to community-based services. She then spent two decades in Georgia’s provider community. She later held leadership roles within the state’s protection and advocacy system and served as Executive Director of Georgia Options. In that role she oversaw person-centered programs that supported people with developmental disabilities to live in homes of their choosing.

Rena’s commitment to disability justice is also deeply personal. She is autistic and the mother of two young adults, one of whom is also autistic.
She lives in Gwinnett County with her husband, children, and their two dogs and two cats.

M. Cathy Harmon-Christian, PhD is GCDD’s new Public Policy Director. In this role, Cathy will work closely with her team to promote and enact public policies which advance the well-being of all Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a proud member of a family with multiple disabilities, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with GCDD staff and Council on this important mission.

Cathy grew up in Peoria, IL, and earned a BA in English from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI; a MA in International Relations from Boston University; a MTS from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL; and an interdisciplinary PhD from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. She had the unique opportunity to live and work in the community at Schumacher College (Devon, UK) while working on her dissertation. She was a Visiting Scholar at Linacre College, Oxford University, exploring cultural anthropology and ethnography.

Cathy has a strong background of education and experience promoting and advocating for multiple human rights issues. Cathy’s most recent position as Executive Director for Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty resulted in the passing of House Bill 123 in May 2025. This bill ensures people with intellectual disabilities will no longer be executed in the State of Georgia. She worked closely with GCDD and Georgia legislators over the last two years to advance and pass this important legislation.

In her personal time, Cathy loves to read and supports her public library system whenever she can. She also enjoys birding, wet and dry felting, travelling to England to see her adult child and husband, and sharing her home with six cat companions.

Find out what's happening this month! Here are some events that may be of interest to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. To submit an event for GCDD’s Calendar of Events, send an email to .

Uniting for Change - Community Strong

COMMUNITY STRONG, led by self-advocates for self-advocates, is a weekly ZOOM gathering about having fun and spending time with each other!

When: September 8, 15, & 29, 2025, 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpce-vrTMuGNUD91uxv6t8whvZXgMqIAlj#/registration 

Parent to Parent: Georgia Medicaid and NOW/COMP Virtual Trainings

Join Parent to Parent (P2P) as they provide an overview of Georgia’s Medicaid waivers and will explore specifically the NOW/COMP waivers. You will learn about the eligibility requirements, how to apply, the services covered, and what happens once your child/young adult’s NOW/COMP waiver is funded. You will also be provided some tips and suggestions on how P2P can help you navigate this process.

When: September 6 – 9, 2025, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/gKDOeUR0QjO5RP2c49eRfA#/registration

FOCUS of Georgia Extra Special Saturday Respite

Enjoy a few hours running errands, have lunch with a friend, or take a nap! This respite opportunity provides a nurse to manage G-tube feedings, seizures, and other medical care. Caregivers are knowledgeable and experienced in caring for children with disabilities. The ratio of caregivers to children is 1:4, but community volunteers are often on hand to help and play. It’s a wonderful time for the children to enjoy free play, music, and extra attention from FOCUS caregivers and volunteers. Parents enjoy the break!!

When: September 13, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Where: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009

For eligibility requirements or more information: https://focus-ga.org/event/extra-special-saturday-respite-13/

2025 Eddie Awards

The EDDIE Awards, launched in 2023, are the first awards in the United States dedicated to spotlighting and honoring entrepreneurs with disabilities.
EDDIE stands for Entrepreneurs Dedicated to Diverse & Inclusive Excellence, celebrating innovative and ambitious leaders within the disability community. These awards are a powerful platform to inspire, recognize, and drive the entrepreneurial movement within the community.

When: September 25, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, Georgia 30339

For more information: https://synergieswork.org/eddie-awards-2/