General Purpose and Mission
The institute’s services, interdisciplinary education, research, technical assistance and outreach programs have been developed with the support and guidance of individuals with disabilities and family members, in order to promote the independence, inclusion and productivity of individuals with disabilities. As part of its programming, MMI receives funding for and is designated as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In accordance with this designation, the MMI UCEDD convenes a Community Advisory Board (CAB).
The CAB serves in an advisory role assisting the UCEDD director and staff with the mission and activities of the UCEDD. A primary goal of the CAB members, in an effort to be as representative as possible, is to reach out to and garner input from disability stakeholders across the state in order to carry forward their comments, concerns and questions to the UCEDD director and staff. The CAB’s advisory role helps to insure that the perspectives of individuals with disabilities are infused into and represented in all Institute efforts.
Board Activities
The board meets quarterly or as otherwise necessary. The board is staffed by a family coordinator to the UCEDD, whose primary position objective is to support the consumer-related concerns of the center and institute. The board’s activities include:
- assist in setting priorities for UCEDD activities;
- review and recommend revisions to the UCEDD’s mission statement;
- assist in the development and implementation of the UCEDD’s programmatic activities;
- assist in UCEDD policy development as it relates to UCEDD activities and services;
- provide input and assistance in developing proposals for specific initiatives;
- provide linkages with other relevant programs, organizations, or networks to facilitate collaborative activities; and
- advocate for and on behalf of the UCEDD.