Spring Forward: Shaping GCDD’s Future Together

I always look forward to Spring – crisp morning air, blooming flowers, warmer-but-not-yet-hot weather, opportunities to renew and refresh, and the hope and plans that come when seasons change.

For GCDD, we are moving forward with purpose to approve our next five-year strategic plan that will carry us from 2027 to 2031. We completed the information-gathering phase, which included focus groups, town hall meetings and surveys across the state, heard your thoughts about where our work is needed most, and developed a plan that is responsive to the most pressing needs. We recently released the plan for 45 days of public comment and are seeking statewide feedback. We encourage you to respond and ask you to share the survey with your family and friends, and on your social channels. To respond in English, please visit surveymonkey.com/r/5DR2B5S, and to respond in Spanish, please visit surveymonkey.com/r/R7JF7QT. Your voice is important and will help shape GCDD’s direction through 2031.

Also helping shape GCDD’s future will be results from a new study we are funding through Georgia State University. This study will provide information about Georgia’s return on investment when our state spends money on NOW/COMP waiver services for people with I/DD. We know waivers help people live in their communities and get the support they need. This study will also show how waivers help our whole state by helping family members continue working, by creating jobs and by bringing in more tax money to Georgia. GCDD will continue to help lawmakers understand how funding waivers is the right thing to do and also a smart investment in our state.

Such education and advocacy on behalf of people with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD) happen all year long. From our collaborative work during the recently ended legislative session to the upcoming 2026 election cycle, we have pivotal opportunities for the disability community to be seen, heard, and counted. Now is the time to make your plans to vote this year! Our partners at United 4 Change are working to make sure Georgians with I/DD understand the issues, know the election dates, and feel confident and prepared at the polls. The disability vote counts, and this fall, it matters more than ever!

With that in mind, please mark your calendars for the evening of Thursday, September 17. GCDD will host our 2026 Candidate Forum, a virtual event in partnership with the Georgia Advocacy Office, Sangha Unity Network, and REV UP Georgia. This is a chance to hear directly from the candidates running for governor, lieutenant governor, and other key statewide offices on the issues that impact our community. I hope you will join us.

I am grateful to each of you for being part of GCDD’s work to improve life for Georgians with I/DD and their families. I look forward to everything we will accomplish together in the months and years ahead.

Lisa Newbern
GCDD Council Chair