New Directions in Disability
Description: The NC Council on Developmental Disabilities is guided by a federal mandate to “promote self-determination, independence, productivity and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life” for people with developmental disabilities and their families. In this seminar, Executive Director Chris Egan, MSW, will share his vision for the mission and current initiatives of the NCCDD. In discussing how the Council’s priorities fit with those of the US Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, he will highlight some of the critical issues in the disability field today. Egan notes that “We continue to enhance the array of innovative community supports leading to individuals being recognized as unique and capable – not characterized by stereotype; however, while certain people experience success, just as many in our system achieve very few personal outcomes… Communities are stronger when all people are included. We will achieve the greatest success in supports for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities by engaging the full range of community cohorts as vested partners.”
Trainers: Chris Egan, MSW, CCSW, formerly a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work, UNC Chapel Hill, and Clinical Coordinator for the Developmental Disabilities Training Institute within the Jordan Institute for Families in the School of Social Work, became Executive Director of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities on June 30, 2104. Mr. Eagan is committed to collaborating with individuals, families, advocacy organizations, the Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and various DHHS divisions, Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), and other stakeholders to promote choice, responsiveness, innovation and stability within our service system. With both undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work from East Carolina University, Mr. Egan’s efforts are directed toward promoting respect and positive outcomes for people with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and other co-occurring disabilities. He is the father of twins, a boy and girl born in 2001. His daughter was born with VATER Association, resulting in numerous and significant medical complications, placing his daughter at significant risk of developmental delay. He engaged natural and formal supports including North Carolina’s Early Intervention services to provide supports for their daughter. As a parent he has the perspective of the powerful experiences associated with having a child born with a disability, and having benefited from the assistance of the NC service system. Mr. Egan brings a multitude of skills and expertise to his new position with NCCDD including person centered thinking and planning, a commitment to personal outcomes and supports for people with disabilities and volunteer leadership with The Arc of the US and of NC, the NC Developmental Disabilities Consortium and the ECU School of Social Work Board of Advisors.
Adonis T. Brown earned a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Degree with specializations in Organizational Leadership and Health Care Administration from Ashford University in July 2013 as-well-as a BA Degree in Psychology in 2011. He has been a leading advocate for justice and equality for people living with disabilities, socio-economic empowerment, independent living, and community inclusion. He co-chaired the NC General Assembly’s Developmental Disabilities (DD) Transitions Task Force, contributed to the formation of Disability Rights NC and served on its board from 2007 thru 2012, and currently serves as the President of the board of directors for The Arc of NC, and the co-chair of the NC Council on DD. Adonis is the Founder/President/CEO of EnVisionedEmpowerment, LLC where he continues to use his talents and life-long experiences to motivate and inspire many, and educate and inform others of the potential of persons living with disabilities.
Resources:
UNC Chapel Hill – Family Focus and Disability Lecture Series Programs 