Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

**About the Council** **The Mission and Mandate** The first Council was appointed in October 1971 in accordance with the authority prescribed to the Governor of Minnesota by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. The Act requires a state council to serve as an advocate for all persons with developmental disabilities by carrying out activities in major areas of emphasis. **Council Membership** The Council is composed of 25 members appointed for three-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms. Each member is appointed by the Governor from among state residents. Council members include representatives of state agencies responsible for administering federal funds that support programs and services for people with developmental disabilities and the elderly. Council members represent the Departments of Education, Health, Employment and Economic Development, and Human Services; the Board on Aging; the Institute on Community Integration (University Center for Excellence) and the Minnesota Disability Law Center (Protection and Advocacy system). Nongovernmental agencies and private nonprofit organizations are also represented. **Council Structure:** - At least 60% must be people with developmental disabilities, or parents / guardians. - Of this 60 percent, one-third must have developmental disabilities; and at least one-third must be relatives or guardians of people with developmental disabilities. - Another one-third must be immediate relatives or guardians of people with mentally impairing developmental disabilities, one of whom must be an immediate relative of an institutionalized or previously institutionalized person with a developmental disability; - None of these individuals can be an employee of a state agency, nor managing employee of other organizations receiving funds or providing services under the Act. - The state provides assurances that the federal membership requirements have been met.