Letter from Leadership: All In, All Together

D'Arcy Robb, GCDD Executive DirectorEverything, everywhere, all at once. 

I have never seen the movie before, but that’s how I have been feeling. 

Winter is typically our busiest season at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD). Public policy is a big part of our work, and during Georgia’s 40-day legislative session this year, we are all in and all over the Gold Dome. I love it, and I am so proud of our community’s advocacy work and accomplishments, but it is an intense time. 

And this year, the federal landscape is unprecedented. Under President Trump and the 119th Congress, major changes are in play that will make significant impacts on Georgians with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families. You can check out this article for the details on Medicaid, the federal Department of Education, and the Section 504 Lawsuit. We’re working hard at GCDD to stay on top of the latest developments and to keep you informed. You can also get the latest updates and information by following GCDD on our social media channels. 

GCDD is currently in the planning process for our Five-Year Strategic Plan. This is important because it will guide GCDD’s work from 2027 to 2031. To make sure our work is impactful, we need to know what our community needs. Please take our survey and share it with your family and friends.

To complete the GCDD Survey, click the link below:

GCDD Five-Year Strategic Plan Survey

Did I mention that I love my job? I do. These days seem uncertain and there is a lot going on. I think the only way to get through these times is to get through together.

The GCDD staff frequently refer to each other as ‘team’, because we are. There is no way we could handle this volume of work without collaborating and working together. And, giving each other the grace to take a breather when we need it. I believe a million percent that makes us better and happier as people, and actually allows us to do our best work. 

Our team only begins with the staff. We could not do the work we do without our powerhouse Council members. Our members review, evaluate, and select our project grantees. They steer our policy agenda, come to the Capitol to testify and assume leading roles during Advocacy Days and at press conferences. They set aside time every three months to engage in day and a half long meetings, keep up with regular and ad-hoc committee work in the interim, and jump into last minute meetings as needed. Additionally, multiple Council members have said to us, “Tell me if there’s anything I can do” – and when we identify a need, they deliver.

I am so grateful for our Council members, their passion and their leadership. And from now on, these monthly “Letters from Leadership” will be shared between the members and me. 

But our community’s leaders and our team extend well beyond our members. Our full power is in the community – you. 

I think one of the most important things we do well as an agency is to stay heavily engaged with the members of our community, giving you information and opportunities for action and involvement. Thank you so much for participating in projects, coming down to the capitol, jumping on advocacy alerts, attending our events, and giving us feedback.

If you are reading this and thinking, “But I don’t do all those things” – you definitely don’t have to do everything. I believe you know where you can contribute and play your part alongside GCDD in our work during this season of your life. It could be calling your Congressperson when you see an advocacy alert. It could be participating in one of GCDD’s projects, or teaching a group of friends what resources are available in your community, or befriending your local legislator. The list of possibilities is endless, but it’s all needed and valuable, and it all builds into impact.

I hope you find the information in this issue of Making a Difference valuable, that it motivates you to act.

D’Arcy Robb
Executive Director
GCDD