Joanna L. Pierson, Ph.D., Chair, 1999
Appointed by Governor: Santo A. Grande; Alan C. Lovell; Mary Jo McGovern; Marcelle L. Meisel; M. Sherril Moon, Ed.D.; Bernita M. Sims-Tucker, Ph.D. Terms expire 1996.
M. Doreen Croser; Sarah E. Glenner; Carole A. Glowacki; Elizabeth L.Jones; Diane S. Pawlowicz; Beatrice M. Rodgers; Richard S. Rowland. Terms expire 1997.
Michael M. Brill; Ruth B. Coates; P. Sue Kullen; Allen Schepps; Jacqueline C. Shields; Susan J. Vaeth. Terms expire 1998.
William R. Fields; Cristine Boswell Marchand; Leslie Seid Margolis, Esq.; Joseph M. Millstone; James F. Rosner, Esq.; Richard J. Steinke. Terms expire 1999.
Naznin R. Adams; Michael S. Chapman, Ed.D.; Laurence J. Eisenstein, Esq.; Mary E. Murphy; Constance S. Reinwald; Timothy R. Wiens. Terms expire 2000.
Mindy A. Morrell, Executive Director
300 West Lexington St., Box 10
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 333-3688
fax: (410) 333-3686
By Executive Order, the Governor created the Maryland State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities in 1971 to carry out provisions of the federal Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act (P.L. 91-517), now the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (P.L. 98-537; P.L. 103-230). To protect State eligibility for certain federal grants, a new council was appointed in 1973 to meet revised criteria of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare for consumer members. Formerly housed in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Council moved for administrative purposes to the Office for Individuals with Disabilities (formerly Office for Handicapped Individuals) in 1987 (Executive Order 01.01.1987.08). The Council received its present name in June 1993.
The Council advocates that persons with developmental disabilities can live successfully outside of institutions. To this end, it secures services for such persons and their families, particularly in employment, child care, and education. The Council, for example, helps persons with developmental disabilities hold jobs by hiring job coaches to train them at the workplace. It helps day-care centers prepare to care for a disabled child. Or the Council might offer parents an advocate who will convey a child's special needs to educators. Annually, the Council funds demonstration projects that enable citizens with developmental disabilities to become independent and productive in their communities.
The Council is an independent, self-governing body funded by federal monies. It reports directly to the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. Code, Title 42, sec. 6024).
Appointed by the Governor, Council members serve five-year terms (Council Bylaws, Art. III).
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