ATLANTA (February 15, 2023) | Tomorrow, legislators, self-advocates, family members and service providers for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) will come together to announce the creation of a new Innovation Commission for Georgians and speak with one voice to urge Governor Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly to finish the work desperately needed to fully support the IDD community.
WHO: Sen. Sally Harrell (D – Atlanta)
Sen. John Albers (R – Roswell)
Kevin Tanner, Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
IDD Community Advocates
WHAT: Press Conference to Discuss New Innovation Commission and Further Advocacy for the IDD Community.
WHEN: Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: South Wing Steps of the State Capitol
206 Washington St SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
WHY: While progress has been made to expand access to NOW and COMP Medicaid waivers that allow Georgians with IDD to live and work in their communities, the IDD Community is coming together to urge passage of a new IDD Innovation Commission, modeled after the successful Behavioral Health Innovation Commission, to delve deeper into complex issues around housing, employment, managed care, and other related issues for long-term strategic planning, while pushing for increased waiver access and wage increases for IDD direct service providers. The IDD Innovation Commission, expanded waiver access, and increased provider wages are key elements of a comprehensive approach to fully support a community long-neglected by the state.
Please note, no live-streaming will be available. Members of the public and press are welcome to attend in person.
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Sen. Sally Harrell represents the 40th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-2260 or via email at sally.harrell@senate.ga.gov.