Title 42 › Chapter 144— DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF RIGHTS › Subchapter I— PROGRAMS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES › Part B— Federal Assistance to State Councils on Developmental Disabilities › § 15024
A State that wants federal help must send the Secretary a 5-year strategic plan and get it approved. The plan must be kept up to date as needed. It must create and describe a Council and name the State office that will support the Council. The plan must show a full review of services and unmet needs for people with developmental disabilities and their families. That review must cover other state programs (health, work, social services, rehab, and similar areas), how agencies work together, access to community services, barriers, assistive technology, waiting lists, funding adequacy, services in facilities and under home- and community-based waivers, and how funded programs cooperate. The plan must set data-based 5-year goals for advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change, list yearly goals and strategies, and explain how success will be measured. Each year must include goals to fund a state self-advocacy group led by people with developmental disabilities, support leadership training by those leaders, and expand participation in cross-disability and diverse leadership groups. Starting in fiscal year 2002, yearly goals must match the Secretary’s progress indicators. The plan must include many assurances about money and rules. At least 70% of grant funds must go to the plan’s goals. Funds must add to, not replace, state money and must reach different parts of the State. Some funds must go to public or private groups. At the State’s request, up to half (or all if the Council is the designated agency) of certain agency costs may be paid from the grant, but no more than 5% of the State’s grant or $50,000 total, whichever is less. No more than 20% of funds may go to service demonstrations approved by the Council. The plan must promise State financial participation, no Council member voting on matters that give them a direct financial benefit, extra help for programs in poor urban or rural areas, accessible buildings and programs meeting federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act, individualized services, protection of human rights, geographic and racial/ethnic representation, fair protections for employees affected by community living changes, and that Council staff work only for the Council. The designated agency must not interfere with the Council’s advocacy work except as needed to support required duties. The Council must join in quality assurance work. The plan must be available for public review in accessible formats, revised after major comments, and reviewed with the designated agency before submission. The Secretary will approve plans that meet these rules and may deny a plan only after notice and a hearing.
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The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 15024
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60