The Governor's Commission on Community-Based Alternatives was created in September 2003 by Governor Ruth Ann Minner's Executive Order 50. The Commission is charged with improving Delaware's system of supports and services in the community for persons with disabilities.

PURPOSE
Established by Executive Order #50, signed on September 22, 2003, the Commission is committed to finding community-based alternatives to institutionalization. The Commission seeks to ensure that all citizens inclusive of those with disabilities have the ability to live close to family and friends, independently, engage in productive employment, and participate in community life. Community-based programs should effectively foster independency and participation in community. The Commission's informational presentation is also available for download as a Adobe Acrobat file.

MEMBERS
The Commission is comprised of the following nineteen members:

Honorable Secretary Vincent Meconi, Commission Co-Chair
Ms. Rita Landgraf, Commission Co-Chair

Tim Brooks, Community Representative
State Senator Dori Connor
Dr. Michael Gamel-McCormick, University of Delaware, Center for Disabilities Studies
Ms. Andrea Guest, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Mr. Larry Henderson, Independent Resources, Inc.
State Senator Margaret Rose Henry
Ms. Renata Henry, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Ms. Saundra Johnson, Delaware State House Authority
State Representative Helene Keeley
Mr. Stephen Kingsberry, Delaware Transit Corporation
Mr. Jim Lafferty, Governor's Advisory Council on Substance Abuse & Mental Health
State Representative Pam Maier
Ms. Daniese McMullin-Powell, State Council for Persons with Disabilities
Mr. Guy Perrotti, Division of Services for Aging Adults and Physical Disabilities
Ms. Marianne Smith, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
Peter J. Thedinga, Bank of America
Ms. Sandra Tuttle, Easter Seals of Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore

MINUTES
Minutes from the following meetings are available for review as Adobe Acrobat files.

December 2007
September 2007
June 2007
March 2007
January 2007
September 2006
June 2006

HOUSE RESOLUTION 90
The Governor's Commission is building on the foundation of the Commission on Community-based Alternatives for Persons with Disabilities created by House Resolution 90 (HR 90) in 2002. The report of the HR 90 is available in English and Spanish.

CENTER FOR DISABILITIES STUDIES (CDS)
CDS was contracted to provide coordination and support to the Governor's Commission through the end of 2007. CDS will continue to support the Commission through the maintenance of this website.

Located at the University of Delaware, the Center for Disabilities Studies is one of over sixty University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in the country. CDS is active in five kinds of activities designed to expand and improve services available to Delawareans with disabilities and their families, including: University education, community education, technical assistance and program evaluation, research and demonstration, and dissemination.

The mission of the Center for Disabilities Studies is to enhance the lives of individuals and families in Delaware through education, prevention, service, and research related to disabilities. We promote independence and productivity so individuals and families can fully participate in the life of the community.

CDS is a member of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). AUCD is a national network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice through research, education, leadership and services for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families and communities.