CT Council on Developmental Disabilities

05/26/2026

The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities commends Jordan Scheff for his many beneficial contributions to the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. He has been resolute in improving person-centered, home- and community-based services. We will miss Jordan, and we wish him the best in the next stage of his journey. The Council now looks forward to working with Commissioner Velardo to sustain home and community based services and supports for individuals who live with developmental disabilities in Connecticut.

Press Release Homepage Governor Lamont Announces Commissioner Jordan Scheff Leaving the Department of Developmental Services, Names Elisa Velardo as Successor 5/26/2026 (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Commissioner Jor...

05/05/2026

At 10:00 a.m., next Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in its regular bimonthly meeting, the Council will present the goals and objectives that it proposes for its next strategic five-year State Plan.

The meeting of the Council is open to the public via Microsoft Teams at
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/271382920563684?p=ltjUsKkPKxOhpZoMBd
Meeting ID: 271 382 920 563 684
Passcode: nW3NN92J

The proposed goals and objectives are posted on the Council website at
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ctcdd/content/draft-goals-and-objectives-2026.pdf

The public may send comments to the Executive Director at [email protected] .

04/25/2026

The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities will hold a virtual public forum at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, via Teams, where we will present new objectives for the Council.

Stand by for the Teams link whereby the public may attend and comment.

You may review the current and previous objectives of the Council via this link:

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04/03/2026

Can we talk?

Just a word, or few.

We are gratified when we see people follow us on Facebook. Thank you. By following us, you validate the work that we do.

We don't shout (much) and we don't post about every thing that we do in a day. Our website (https://portal.ct.gov/ctcdd) describes who we are and what we do, though you can see that it is not current and is in need of updates. We do not have Comm staff. We do not have IT staff. We spend our time and money on research, analysis, engaging our partners and policy makers, and in meaningful public forums to advocate, to build capacity, and to change the system for the better.

Anyone with questions or suggestions for the Council should feel free to send an email to [email protected].

Thank you.

03/30/2026

Let's bring Connecticut into the 21st Century!

In 1981, the United States redefined "developmental disability" in terms of functional needs instead of select clinical diagnoses. Since then, all other states have adopted functional definitions for disability, while Connecticut has held to archaic medical criteria for eligibility. The Land of Steady Habits.

If you are in need of assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), or you need any Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) as determined by a standard functional assessment such as the Katz Index, Lawton IADL Scale, or the Diagnostic Adaptive Behavior Scale, then it really should not matter what "disease" you have or not. Assistance should be rationed in accordance with individual level of need, not by categorical presumptions about medical diagnoses.

Connecticut House Bill No. 5557 is a start. This bill would align the definition of "intellectual disability" in Connecticut General Statutes with the meaning as provided in the DSM-5, which now encourages a more comprehensive view of the individual. Then the State could adopt standard functional assessments to ensure that those with the greatest needs are served, regardless of clinical labels.

Let's do this now. It's the right thing.

03/24/2026

Today DDS Ombudsperson Shannon Jacovino testified before the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee. Shannon has been re-nominated to serve in this position by Office of Governor Ned Lamont.

Click the link below to learn more about Shannon and the Office of the Ombudsperson.

https://portal.ct.gov/dds/about/ombudsperson?language=en_US

03/18/2026

Thank you, to all who submitted testimony about eligibility determinations by the State Department of Developmental Services. The Council supports determinations that consider a comprehensive view of the individual.

03/13/2026

There will be a public hearing for Raised Bill No. 5557, AN ACT CONCERNING ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES by the Human Services Committee on Tuesday, March 17.
https://www.cga.ct.gov/.../TOB/H/PDF/2026HB-05557-R00-HB.PDF

This bill would align the definition of "intellectual disability" in Connecticut General Statutes with the meaning as provided in the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which now encourages a more comprehensive view of the individual. The DSM has abandoned specific IQ scores as an exclusive diagnostic criterion. The DSM now places more emphasis on adaptive functioning and the performance of life skills.

Individuals who wish to testify must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W4QEldExTXCHtKklW6Xm1g
and you must register before 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16.

Please submit written testimony using the On-line Testimony Submission Form:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/HS/tmy.htm

03/06/2026

Another legislative breakfast in the books. Thank you to all of our state legislators, Commissioner Scheff, Council members, grantees, and other friends that attended. We were heard!

03/04/2026