Dear Friends and Colleagues:
We are excited to announce that Deborah "Debbie" Conway will be the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council's first Chairperson.
Ms. Conway is currently the Executive Director for Cross Plains Community Partner in Dalton GA, where she has served for almost seven (7) years. Previously, she worked for seventeen (17) years at EnAble, formerly RRA (Resources & Residential Alternatives) as the Director of Quality Enhancement. Ms. Conway has focused her career on the development and enhancement of supports for people with developmental disabilities. For the past five years, she has worked to establish person-centered practices as the foundation for services delivery at Cross Plains. Through these evolving efforts, Ms. Conway has facilitated a redesign of Cross Plain's organizational structures and systems that have impacted the agency's culture and outcomes for people receiving services.
Ms. Conway is passionate about continuous and shared learning that leads toward empowering people to live, work, and engage in their community. As an active member of her community, she serves and volunteers in a variety of capacities. About this new challenge, Ms. Conway says "I am excited about this new opportunity and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to move Georgia forward with quality, person-centered supports." She is also involved with several professional organizations that advocate and focus on services and supports for people with disabilities.
Members for the Council are now being reviewed and will be selected over the next two weeks. The first meeting will be announced through our e-letter and posted on our website. Please forward this letter to any friends or colleagues that would be interested in staying informed.
Let's all congratulate Ms. Conway on her new role and wish her the best.
Sincerely,
Charles Li, M.D., MHSA
Acting Assistant Commissioner