Children’s Disability Advisory Committee

Advocating for Families through the Children’s Disability Advisory Committee

Did you know? As part of The Arc-JCC&GC’s work to protect and promote the rights of people with IDD, our advocates serve on various boards and committees, uplifting the interests of the IDD community. Participating in committees at the county, state, and national level, we are determined to ensure the needs of those with IDD are at the forefront of discussions about education, employment, housing, and more.

We’d like to keep you in the know about this important work! Through our weekly eUpdate, we’ll be sharing more about many of the committees on which our advocates serve. Keep an eye on our newsletter for stories about this crucial way in which we advocate for our community.

Today, we’re highlighting the Children’s Disability Advisory Committee (CDAC).

What: CDAC provides feedback to the state’s Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) on matters related to benefits for children and youth with disabilities (such as Medicaid, waivers, and other healthcare and support services), professional development training for providers, and application of standards. The committee is not comprised of standing members; rather, any stakeholder who would like to participate can attend the meetings, with advocates, service providers, and parents of children with disabilities regularly in attendance. Those who participate in the committee do not make decisions, but they do provide HCPF with information and guidance, advising the department on how it can best serve children and families in the disability community.

Who: At least one advocate from our Child & Family Advocacy team attends each meeting. Parents of children with disabilities are also welcome to attend.

When: The committee meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 10:00am to 12:00pm.

Where: Meetings are held virtually.

Why: It is important that our team members attend CDAC meetings so they can stay informed, give feedback around the feasibility and implementation of new programs, and offer input on changes to existing programs. By providing insight, expertise, and real-life examples of the challenges and experiences of families, our advocates work to ensure the needs of our community are at the center of these important policy conversations.

Learn more: You can learn more about the committee and join monthly meetings by visiting the CDAC website. Click here to visit the CDAC website.