West Virginia Developmental

Disabilities Council

 

BY-LAWS

(Amended 01/28/03 )

(Amended 01/30/07 )

 

DEFINITIONS

 

1.       The term "developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that -

(A) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment, or combination of mental and physical impairments;

(B) is manifested before the individual attains age 22;

(C) is likely to continue indefinitely;

(D) results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity:

(a) Self-care.

(b) Receptive and expressive language.

(c) Learning.

(d) Mobility.

(e) Self-direction.

(f) Capacity for independent living.

(g) Economic self-sufficiency; and

(E) reflects the individual’s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

 

An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has a substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described in (D) (a) through (g) if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.

 

2.       The term "Council" refers to the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council.

 

3.       Unless otherwise defined, the term "Chairperson" as used herein shall refer to the Chairperson of the Council.

 

4.       “Executive Director” refers to the individual hired by the Council to oversee the implementation of the Council's State Plan, supervise Council staff, and carry out other activities as directed by the Council.

 

5.       The "Developmental Disabilities Act" refers to the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Public Law 106-402, which funds the Council and its activities.

 

6.       The term "year" shall refer to the federal fiscal year from October 1 through September 30.

 

ARTICLE I:  NAME

 

The name of this Council shall be the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council, established by Executive Order of the Governor of West Virginia,  in accordance with the provisions of Section 124 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, Public Law 106-402.

 

ARTICLE II:  PURPOSE

 

The Council's mission is to assure that West Virginia citizens with developmental disabilities receive the services, supports, and other forms of assistance they need to exercise self-determination and achieve independence, productivity, integration and inclusion in the community.  Its goals are to effect systems change by:

 

(1)     Analyzing  the needs of West Virginia citizens with developmental disabilities and proposing strategies for meeting those needs;

 

(2)     Involving people with developmental disabilities and their families in the development of policies and programs;

 

(3)     Providing training and technical assistance to build competent and inclusive communities; and

 

(4)  Providing grants to community organizations to demonstrate innovative services and practices.

 

 

 

ARTICLE III:  FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

 

The general functions of the Council are to plan, evaluate and advocate for services and opportunities for West Virginians with developmental disabilities and to exercise those duties set forth in the Developmental Disabilities Act and the federal regulations pertaining to the Act.

 

In particular, the Council shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

 

(1)     To employ the values of self-determination, independence, productivity, inclusion, and integration in its mission and all of its activities;

 

(2)     To prepare and approve a budget for funds received under the Developmental Disabilities Act.

 

 (3)    To hire, consistent with State law, an Executive Director who shall be supervised and evaluated by the Council, and who shall hire and supervise the Council staff and obtain the services of such professional, technical and clerical personnel consistent with State law as the Council determines to be necessary to carry out its functions.

 

(4)     To solicit nominations and make recommendations to the Governor on citizen appointments to the Council which are consistent with the requirements of the Developmental Disabilities Act and which reflect the diversity of the State.

 

(5)     To facilitate the attendance and participation of Council members through a variety of supports,  including the scheduling and locations of meetings and reimbursement of meeting-related expenses.

 

(6)     To develop a five-year State Plan for services and opportunities that promote self determination, independence, productivity, inclusion and integration in consultation with people with developmental disabilities, their families, community organizations and State agencies.

 

(7)     To monitor, review and evaluate, at least annually, the implementation of the State Plan.

 

(8)     To participate in the development of public policies that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, inclusion and integration for people with developmental disabilities.

 

(9)     To provide demonstration grants, training and other assistance to support the development of innovative practices in local communities throughout the State.

 

(10 )   To promote, support and participate in public awareness activities that illustrate and foster valued social roles for people with developmental disabilities.

 

(11)    To provide training and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities and family members to gain and use leadership skills.

 

(12)    To participate in interagency collaboration and coordination to enhance services and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

 

(13)    To develop and implement policies and procedures that ensure Council activities are carried out in an efficient, effective and fiscally responsible manner, are accountable to the public and are consistent with the Council's values and mission.

 

(14)    To regularly evaluate Council performance, activities and outcomes to assure consistency with the Council's mission and the federal Developmental Disabilities Act.

 

(15)    To periodically review the designated State agency and its activities under the Developmental Disabilities Act, and make any recommendations for change to the Governor.

 

(16)         To annually prepare and transmit to the Secretary of ADD a report about the progress made by the Council in achieving the goals of the Council.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV:  MEMBERSHIP

 

Membership of the Council shall be formed in accordance with the requirements of the Developmental Disabilities Act, the regulations pertaining to the Act and the Council's Policy on Membership.  The Council shall be composed of thirty-two (32) members with the membership to include:

 

(1)     The Director of each of the following agencies, or his/her designee. (Only one individual per agency may serve as a designee and must be specified in writing by the Director of that agency in advance):

 

a.  Division of Rehabilitation Services (Rehabilitation Act of 1973)

b.  Office of Special Education (Individuals with Disabilities Education         Act)

c.  Bureau of Senior Services (Older Americans Act of 1965)

d.  Bureau for Medical Services (Title XIX of the Social Security Act)

e.  Higher Education

f.  WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities (Centers for Excellence in       Developmental    Disabilities Education, Research and Service)

g.  Developmental Disabilities Division, Office of Behavioral Health

     Services (Title XIX of the Social Security Act)

          h.  Office of Maternal, Child, and Family Health (Title V of the Social          Security Act)

          i.   Office of Social Services

          j.   WV Advocates (Protection and Advocacy agency)

 

(2)     The person who represents Higher Education on the Council shall be a faculty member or other relevant individual.  This position shall be filled based on a  recommendation from the Nominating Committee and approval by the Council for a two year (renewable) term.

 

(3)     Two representatives of local and non-governmental agencies, and private nonprofit groups concerned with services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

 

(4)     People with developmental disabilities, family members and guardians shall comprise at least 60% of the Council in accordance with the following provisions of the Developmental Disabilities Act:

 

a.       At least one-third shall be individuals with developmental disabilities;

 

b.       At least one-third shall be parents or guardians of children with developmental disabilities, or immediate relatives or guardians of adults with developmental disabilities;

 

c.       The remaining shall be a combination of individuals described in 3a and 3b; at least one of whom shall be an immediate relative or guardian of an individual with a developmental disability who resides or previously resided in an institution or shall be an individual with a developmental disability who resides or previously resided in an institution; and

 

d.                 Not employees of a State agency that receives funds or provides services under this subtitle, and who are not managing employees of any other entity that receives funds or provides services under this subtitle.

 

ARTICLE V:  VACANCIES

 

In the event a member resigns, the Chairperson shall recommend a replacement to the Council for its approval, with the recommendation that this person be appointed by the Governor to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term.

 

Non-governmental members shall be appointed by the Governor for four-year terms.  In the event the Governor, due to the press of more important business, fails to replace or reappoint members of the Council whose terms have expired, then said members shall continue to serve on the Council in good standing until such time as the Governor is able to make new appointments.

 

ARTICLE VI:  MEETINGS

 

The Council shall meet at least quarterly and as often as necessary, as determined by the Chairperson, or at the request of any five members. Council members shall be notified of quarterly meetings in accordance with the Council Policy on Membership.

 

Each member of the Council shall have one vote and shall comply with the Council's Policies on Conflict of Interest and Membership.

 

A quorum of the Council shall consist of one-third of the total members.   A  quorum shall be required for the transaction of any business of the Council.

 

Governor appointed Council members may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred (including expenses for child care and personal assistance services) while in attendance at meetings in accordance with the Council’s policy on Membership. Governor appointed members shall be eligible for a stipend for quarterly meetings of the Council at a rate established in the Council Policy on Membership, if such member is not employed or must forfeit wages from other employment to attend Council meetings and perform other Council duties.  Governor appointed members shall also be eligible for reimbursement for telephone expenses incurred when conducting Council business.

 

The location and proceedings of all meetings of the Council and its committees shall comply with the Council's Policy on Accessibility.  Meetings, except when in Executive Session, shall be open to the public. The time and place of Council meetings shall be registered in advance with the Secretary of State's Office in accordance with State law.

 

ARTICLE VII:  OFFICERS

 

A Chairperson and Vice Chairperson will be elected for a two year term by a majority vote of the Council.  The Chairperson shall be a person with a developmental disability or family member or guardian and shall not be eligible to be a grant recipient of the Council.  Each term shall begin on July 1.

 

The Chairperson will provide leadership to the Council in establishing its overall goals and priorities; chair the meetings of the Council; appoint committee and workgroup members and chairpersons; conduct meetings of the Executive Committee; serve as spokesperson for the Council on public policy issues; conduct an annual evaluation of the Executive Director with input from Executive Committee and other Council members.

 

The Vice Chairperson shall assume the responsibilities of the Chairperson in his/her absence.

 

ARTICLE VIII:  COMMITTEES AND WORKGROUPS

 

The Council will have an Executive Committee and an ad-hoc Nominating Committee. The Council shall establish workgroups as it deems necessary or desirable to carry out its responsibilities.

 

In addition to the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, the Executive Committee will be composed of four other Members elected by the Council.  In the event that the Immediate Past Chairperson of the Council is still a  member, he/she will be an ex-officio (non voting) member of the Executive Committee.