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Next Council Meeting: August 7-8, 2025 (Location TBD)

What Does GCDD Do?

What does the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) do for Georgians? There are 167,755 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Georgia. GCDD works to improve the lives of Georgians with disabilities and their families. Our projects and policies benefit communities in all parts of the state, actively including rural communities that are often overlooked. There is a federal proposal to end funding for all DD Councils across the country, including GCDD.

What does GCDD do?Download a PDF of this informationThe Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities...

  • Saves Taxpayer Dollars: Investing in home- and community-based support costs less than institutional care. GCDD’s advocacy helps reduce dependence on state systems by promoting self-sufficiency.
  • Supports Working Georgians: We advocate for competitive jobs for people with disabilities, reducing reliance on benefits and contributing to Georgia’s economy.
  • Strengthens Families and Communities: By advocating for inclusive education, employment, and housing, we keep families together and communities strong— without unnecessary government overreach.
  • Makes Policymaking Efficient: GCDD helps state leaders make informed, data-driven decisions that reflect Georgia values: strong families, efficient spending, and opportunity for all.

How GCDD Efficiently Uses Your Taxpayer Dollars

Inclusive Post-Secondary Programs: GCDD funds 10 inclusive programs which support students with disabilities in a college setting to live and work independently. 58% of inclusive postsecondary graduates are employed, compared to just 19.5% for those who don’t attend.

UGA’s Advancing Employment: GCDD funds UGA’s Advancing Employment program which helps service providers transition to competitive employment models. Advancing Employment has helped countless people with disabilities start working and become taxpayers.

Georgia as a Model Employer (GAME): GCDD served as technical advisor to Lt. Gov. Burt Jones on workforce development legislation that trains state agencies to hire and retain workers with disabilities. Instead of using state dollars, GCDD is supporting the ada coordinator’s office to provide training for this initiative.

Technology Education Initiative: GCDD’s Technology Education Initiative trains people with disabilities, families, and providers in tech skills to boost independence, safety, and community life. As of January 2025, GCDD’s Tech Initiative has trained 538 people with disabilities, families, and providers.

GCDD does all of this for less than .0000001% of the federal budget and .00002% of Georgia’s state budget.

GCDD delivers cost-effective, local solutions that align with Georgia values. Preserving our funding ensures we continue helping individuals with disabilities live independently, work, and thrive—without growing government.

Cutting GCDD’s funding would mean fewer families getting the support they need, more people relying on costly institutional care, and less accountability in how disability resources are used.

GCDD works alongside the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO), Georgia State, and the University of Georgia as a part of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network. Federal Health and Human Services funding for the entire DD network is at risk. If this concerns you, speak out now to your elected officials!