SACRAMENTO, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ — California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday issued a proclamation declaring March 2025, as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. “California is proud to join states around the country, raising awareness about the many ways in which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities contribute to strong, diverse communities across our state.”
PROCLAMATION
California is proud to join states around the country, raising awareness about the many ways in which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities contribute to strong, diverse communities across our state. This March, we shine a light on the work underway to drive the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and reaffirm our collective commitment to breaking down the barriers they face in connecting to the communities where they live.
Over the last decade, California has worked to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities such as Autism and Down Syndrome with the resources they need to live and thrive in the community. We are the only state that provides developmental services as an entitlement, and we prioritize home and community-based care – avoiding institutional settings. We’ve increased the rates for our direct service professionals to keep and attract the people who provide vital support. We’re also supporting strong career pathways for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities through investments in education, new laws encouraging earlier career planning, and ending sub-minimum wage as of this last January.
This year, California’s Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) released a draft of the Master Plan for Developmental Services: A Community Driven Vision to leverage investments and strengthen quality, access, and sustainability for all consumers and families – no matter their demographic groups, geographic region, or socioeconomic status. The Master Plan recognizes that California’s developmental services system is deeply connected to other health and social systems. It seeks to create and strengthen bridges between critical systems across CalHHS and other systems and services, including education, housing, employment, transportation, and public safety.
We are taking a whole-of-government approach, one driven by communities themselves and delivered in partnership with the private sector, to realize a more equitable, person-centered, and data-driven developmental services system. We’ll continue working across sectors and disciplines to ensure that all Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities can thrive and contribute to all facets of life in their neighborhoods and communities. And this month, we also take the opportunity to celebrate the value and gifts that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities contribute to the Golden State.
NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 2025, as “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 17th day of March 2025.
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
Secretary of State
