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2017 Officers
ED THOMAS, PRESIDENT
From The
President
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Camden County
From The
Exec. Director
Lafayette County
CATHY ARROWSMITH, SECRETARY
Marion County
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JORGI MCNAMARA, MEMBER AT LARGE
Randolph County
ALECIA ARCHER, PAST PRESIDENT
Jasper County
Thanks for the assistance
from the 2016 Public
Awareness Committee
CATHY ARROWSMITH
Marion County
Partnership
For Hope
16 Targeted Case
Management
18 Members
Highlights
25
DEB MILLER
2016 Tax
Levies
14
JORGI MCNAMARA (CHAIR)
Randolph County
Howard County
Cutting Edge
Awards
ROBYN KAUFMAN
Boone County
26
JENNIFER WOOLDRIDGE
Jefferson County
28
Thanks also to:
KIM WATSON OF
PINNACLE GRAPHICS,
DESIGNER
Pinnaclegraphics.us
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MACDDS 2017
[email protected]
Membership
Directory
6
ANITA CONTRERAS, TREASURER
Warren County
PRESIDENT
Member
County Map
5
MARCUS WHITLOCK,
PRESIDENT-ELECT
ED THOMAS
Lifetime
Member Award
Annual
Conference
Workshop
Details
From the President
The Missouri Association
of County Developmental
Disability Services
The Missouri Association of County Developmental
Disability Services (MACDDS) has been and continues
to be a conduit for change in support and service
delivery systems for individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (I/DD). MACDDS serves a
major role in the representation of individuals, families,
support providers, and local communities, which is
extremely critical as we move forward into the ever-
evolving systems of supports and care.
another silo in a failed community of practice. We
must accept the realization the status quo is not always
going to be in the best interest of all or even reasonable,
and we should adopt the virtue of innovation. We
must continue to engage in collaborative brainstorming
sessions and communicate our ideas freely with
our partners so that evolutionary development and
revolutionary practices are not stunted by the fear of
rejection or complacency. Our minds must remain
open, and we should always attempt to access all
available resources in order to improve system delivery
models and people’s lives.
The future of services and supports are driven by
statutory rules, regulations, and guidelines which are
continuously being debated. Proposed Federal and
state modifications to how supports are funded, how
supports are administered, how supports are prioritized,
how supports are improved, and how outcomes are
measured are at the forefront of every discussion in
the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for
individuals with I/DD. MACDDS members are always
at the table supporting the ideology of community
inclusion and the highest quality of support systems,
while at the same time promoting and developing a
fundamental approach to the preservation of each
person’s rights and integrity. Our members offer key
insight to state and Federal decision-makers and strive
to educate all Missourians on the importance and
benefits of including all individuals within a community.
In the last year, the commitment of our membership
has been most notably evidenced through the
sponsorship of communal forums with national experts
who have been directly involved with the promulgation
of change and reformed approaches to support
systems. The further development of and participation
with multifaceted work groups concentrating on
best practices and collaborative opportunities will
also most certainly inspire previously unfamiliar
partners to join our cause. I adamantly believe it
is imperative we continue to embrace the spirit of
cooperation. As Helen Keller stated, “Alone we can
do so little; together we can do so much.” MACDDS
is continuing to fulfill the promises declared in its
mission and vision statements as well as practicing
the principles of its members’ core values. I am truly
fortunate and very proud to have been a part of this
extraordinary team.
MACDDS is committed to promoting collaboration and
innovation. A successful future can only be achieved
by developing community partnerships and innovative
practices in these ever-changing times. If we don’t
include our community partners, we will simply become
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