Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee

Description

The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) established the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee (DDAC) in January of 2020 to provide a venue for members to give advice and recommendations on the activities of the Division and the Illinois DD service system.

More specifically, committee members:

  • Provide feedback on policy and processes that the Division is implementing.
  • Participate and/or establish smaller work-groups meant to create new policy, processes, training and/or other deliverables that will positively impact the service system. These work-groups will bring in additional individuals not currently seated on the Advisory Committee that can best inform the topic or work-group need.
  • Assist the Division in obtaining feedback from individuals with I/DD in order to better inform services.

Advisory Committee Requirements

Training Requirements for this Board/Commission/Committee/Task Force.

Meetings

Meetings will be held at least quarterly and will be held by video/telephone conference. The DDAC are open meetings.

2025 Meetings

Membership

Appointments were made by the Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities based on an application process. The DDAC is comprised of individuals with DD, family members, stakeholders, association representatives, Independent Service Coordination Agencies (ISCs), advocates, provider staff and members of the Division, as well as staff representing other areas within IDHS or across agencies. Appointments of association representatives, Division staff and other departmental staff will be ongoing. Appointments of individuals with DD, family members, stakeholders, advocates, ISCs and provider staff will last 3 years, with the ability to renew.

Member Biographies

Name Affiliation
Nicol Beaumont Subject Matter Expert
Tyson Bedford Self Advocate
Mike Bibo Trade Rep.
Helen Blackburn Provider
Stephanie Brown Family Advocate
Kathy Carmody Trade Rep.
Lisa Cesal Self-Advocate
Dan Coffey Subject Matter Expert
Sharon Costabile Family Advocate
Diedre Foote Provider
Hollis Gorrie Provider
JJ Hanley IDHS
Curtis Harris Self-Advocate
Kristen Huffman-Gottschling Provider
Omar Khan Provider
Craig Laskowski Provider
Amie Lulinski Association Rep.
Susan Mack-Hans Family Advocate
Abbi Mars Family Advocate
Kimberly Mercer-Schleider IDHS
Cynthia Mester IDHS
Leanne Mull Subject Matter Expert
Megan Mutti Family Advocate/Association Rep.
Beth Owens Trade Rep.
Zoubida Pasha Family Advocate
Bob Peterson Self Advocate
Shirley Perez Family Advocate/Association Rep.
Abby Schindler Subject Matter Expert
Gabriela Sierra Marquez Parent Advocate/Provider
Shenita Sledge Family Advocate
Vincent Smith Self Advocate
Benjamin Stortz Provider
Susan Wild Provider
Pamela Winsel IDHS
Adam Wiser Self Advocate

IDHS Administrative Support

Developmental Disability Advisory Committee Contact: Megan Brennan. Please email DHS.DDDComments@illinois.gov and you will be directed to her email.

Webpage last updated on 01/07/2025..