5-Year Plan
Every 5 years, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council develops a plan that guides our work. This is called our State Plan. The State Plan identifies barriers that get in the way of people with developmental disabilities living the lives they want with the support they need. We look at issues that affect children, adults, and their families.
To identify these issues and what needs to change, the Council:
- Gets input from a lot of different people. This includes people with developmental disabilities, family members, state agencies, advocates, service providers, community members, and others. We do this through surveys, meetings, and focus groups.
- Gathers information and data from reports and other sources.
- Thinks about all the information to decide where change needs to happen and where the Council can make a difference.
- Decides how to use our staff time.
- Decides what activities we will fund other organizations and groups to carry out.
The Council sets goals for the next 5 years after reviewing all of the public input and research. Our State Plan also includes the activities we will work on to reach our goals. The State Plan is like a roadmap we follow to get where we want to be. It shows how we will create change that improves people’s lives.
2027-2031 State Plan
The 2027-2031 State Plan covers our work from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031.
2027-2031 State Plan – Easy Read
2027 Annual Work Plan
The Council cannot work on all of our State Plan activities each year. We have work plans that describe what we will work on each year. This work plan is about FFY (Federal Fiscal Year) 2027, or “Year 1” of our State Plan. This covers October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.
2027 Annual Work Plan – Easy Read
Every year, the Council reports about the progress we have made on our State Plan. You can read our latest annual report here.
The Council’s 2027-2031 State Plan Goals
GOAL 1
Children with developmental disabilities and their families have access to early supports, quality education, and services that prepare them for success in school and adulthood.
GOAL 2
Adults with developmental disabilities have employment, housing, and transportation options so they can live, work, and be part of their communities.
GOAL 3
People with developmental disabilities have the services, supports, and opportunities they need to live well in their communities.
GOAL 4
People with developmental disabilities and families are leaders, advocates, and informed decision-makers.