Consumer Advisory Council (CAC)

Our work is supported through the contribution of our Consumer Advisory Council (CAC). The CAC is composed of individuals with developmental disabilities and related disabilities, family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, representatives from disability-related training, service, and advocacy organizations, representatives from state agencies, and other disabilities advocates.

Meetings of the CAC are held four times a year and designed to:

  • Gain feedback from the community we are serving.
  • Keep statewide communities aware of our progress.
  • Assure we are address pertinent issues for people with developmental disabilities.

People with disabilities and their families are at the heart of how we plan, complete, and evaluate our activities. We also rely on a broad range of professionals, organizations and agencies to bring about community-wide change. The CAC supports our work in the following ways:

  • They serve as a link to consumers and organizations
  • They encourage others to become involved with the Center.
  • They make suggestions about critical areas of need that should be addressed through future programs, projects or activities.

The Center collaborates with CAC members to collect and develop information and guidelines for practitioners on best practices for children with global developmental delays. To that end, the CAC members identified a number of the Center's accomplishments, including:

  • Family leaders developed across the state through family training events.
  • More parental involvement at the state policy level.
  • An increase in the number of job opportunities and information about jobs for people with disabilities.
  • More volunteer opportunities.
  • The large number of presentations by the Center.
  • The respect, reputation, and professional connection of the Director enabling them to bring in leading speakers and offer great presentations that has an impact on the participants.
  • The Zero - Three research to practice and opportunities for training has helped to shape the services in the state.
  • The deep growth academically and personally of the LEND students.
  • The cutting edge, innovative ideas and resources.

Questions: If you still have questions about the CAC, please contact us at 860-679-1500. You may also download our frequently asked questions document.