The first Council was established by Executive Order on December 12, 1973 in response to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). The Act requires a state council to serve as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities by carrying out priority activities.

In 2018, Executive Order 2018-03 , signed by the Governor of South Dakota, provided continued authorization for the South Dakota Council on Developmental Disabilities.  

 

The Developmental Disabilities Act of 2000 provides funding for Protection and Advocacy Systems, University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service, and State Councils on Developmental Disabilities. In South Dakota, these agencies are Disability Rights South Dakota , the USD Center for Disabilities  and the SD Council on Developmental Disabilities

Barb Abeln, SD Developmental Center, Redfield

Robert "Skippy" Blechinger, Sioux Falls

Melanie Boetel, DSS/Division of Behavioral Health, Sioux Falls

Whitney Brunner, Department of Health, Pierre

Marlys Feist, St. Onge

Toni Feist, St. Onge

Erica Gloor, Sioux Falls

Bernie Grimme, DHS/Division of Rehabilitation Services, Pierre

Valerie Husby, Brandon

Caryn Johnson, Aberdeen

Tania Kostal, Tyndall

Jessie Kuechenmeister, Brookings

Dr. Eric G Kurtz, USD Center for Disabilities, Sioux Falls

Marcie Lorensberg, Aberdeen

Julie S Nelson, Rapid City

Tim Neyhart, Disability Rights South Dakota, Pierre

Derek Smith, Sioux Falls

Cindy Taber, Mitchell

Yvette Thomas, DHS/Division of Long Term Services and Supports, Pierre

Wendy Trujillo, DOE/Office of Special Education, Pierre

Tina Two Crow-Slow Bear, Kyle

Sara Valle, Harrold

Joey Younie, DHS/Division of Developmental Disabilities, Pierre

In P.L. 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Act, the term "developmental disability" means a severe, chronic disability of an individual that--

1. is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairment;
2. is manifested before the individual attains age 22;
3. is likely to continue indefinitely;
4. results in substantial functional limitations in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity:
   1. self-care;
   2. receptive and expressive language;
   3. learning;
   4. mobility;
   5. self-direction;
   6. capacity for independent living; and
   7. economic self-sufficiency; and
5. reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired conditions may be considered to have a developmental disability without meeting 3 or more of the criteria described above in (1) through (5) if the individual, without services and supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in life.

NACDD is a national organization of DD Councils of which South Dakota is a member. Learn more about NACDD. .

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is the federal agency which provides the funding to the DD Councils, Protection & Advocacy systems, and University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. Visit the Administration for Community Living. The Administraion on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is an agency within the Administration for Community Living.

The Council developed a Five-Year Plan for Federal Fiscal Years 2022-2026.  The Council's goals include community services and supports, mental health and advocacy and leadership development.  Plans and reports can be found under the Documents and Forms heading on this page and on the Boards and Commissions Portal.