It's IDD
About The IDD Council of Tarrant County
The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Needs Council of Tarrant County was founded in January 2010 to serve as a community coalition of providers, public officials, families and self-advocates who have come together to increase opportunities for people with IDD in our great community. In 2015, we dropped the Needs from our name, and became an independent 501(c)3 non-profit.
Our Founding Partners are MHMR of Tarrant County, JPS Health Network, Tarrant County and Fort Worth ISD.
Our Purpose
To transform the region into an inclusive community where persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) thrive.
What is IDD?
IDD is the term that represents individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) or developmental disability (DD).
An Intellectual Disability (ID) is characterized both by a significantly below-average score on a test of mental ability or intelligence and by limitations in the ability to function in areas of daily life, such as communication, self-care, getting along in social situations, and school activities. Because of the many factors that lead to the development of IDD, any family is only an accident, a birth or a trauma away from an IDD diagnosis.
Developmental Disabilities (DD) are a diverse group of severe, chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments, People with developmental disabilities have problems with major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living. Frequently, people with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and various genetic and chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome are described as having developmental disabilities.
The IDD Council of Tarrant County is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.
Our Mission
To bring stakeholders together to create an environment for the development of an efficient and accessible system of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Meet our Directors
RITA
STEVENSON
Executive Director
Board of Directors
Place 1: Andrew Spencer - Fort Worth Independent School District
Place 2: April Jastrzab - JPS Health Network
Place 3: Bill Eaton - My Health My Resources (MHMR)
Place 4: Andy Nguyen, Office of Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare
Place 5: position vacant
Place 6: Audra Ressel, Board Chair - Parent Advocate
Place 7: position vacant
Place 8: Courtney Caraway - Family and Community Advocate
Place 9: position vacant
Place 10: Laurie Snyder - Board Treasurer - Family and Community Advocate
Place 11: Kerri Staples - Community Advocate
Place 12: Erin Fogarty - Family and Community Advocate
Place 13: Renae Arledge, Board Secretary - Community Advocate