Fulton County Commissioners will issue a proclamation recognizing the value of respect and inclusion of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities during the March 4, 2020 Commission meeting. The annual observance recognizes the value of including individuals with physical and cognitive challenges in every aspect of daily life and acknowledges their potential to serve as productive citizens.  

Dozens of individuals from Fulton County’s Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities Division’s three centers in North, Central and South Fulton will join the Commissioners as they issue the annual proclamation. As an added strategy to reach those in need of services, tables will be set up outside Assembly Hall at 141 Pryor Street to provide information and resources for those who may need the services of the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities.

The Developmental Disabilities Division provides behavioral health services for adults in need of life skills, therapeutic and behavioral health support services. Additionally, approximately 120 people with physical or cognitive disabilities receive services annually, which include:

• Community Integration – provides opportunities for persons with disabilities to live, work and play in the community the same way as everyone else
• Individual & Group Training – creates one-on-one or group setting opportunities for individuals to improve in various identified areas
• Daily Living Skills – enables participants to develop their skills that are used to perform everyday activities, such as: cleaning, meal preparation, money management, laundry, and self-care
• Socialization Skills – Participants are taught to recognize and manage appropriate social behaviors
• Individualized Service Plans – completed annually to determine progress and execute planning to establish the individual’s wants and desires
• Parent Training & Support Groups – provides caregiver/parental resources and information to increase activism on behalf of individuals with disabilities
• Physician Assessments – annual and ongoing medical evaluations and wellness education for the individuals and their families
• Pre-Vocational Training – facilitates skill building in preparation for those who plan to enter the workforce in the near future

To determine eligibility for Fulton County developmental disability services, contact the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Region 3 Office for entry and evaluation at 770-414-3052 and online at this link.  For general information, contact the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities at 404- 613-7013.