"We basically get federal funding to put out in grants to help people with developmental disabilities and their family members in a large variety of ways. We can't directly fund people who have different needs, and we do get calls quite a bit, but we're looking more at the state level, and the national level, and how we can influence policy, and how we can increase community capacity… how we can influence legislators to make rules that are in tune with people with developmental disabilities, and their families, and the needs that those folks have."

"The Council is a microcosm of the community of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Sixty percent of its membership by law are people with developmental disabilities and their families. The other 40 percent are policymakers, legislators, service providers, local management entities. Together the Council, a gubernatorially appointed body, represents the broader stakeholder community that's North Carolina. We're charged with advancing systems change, advocacy, and capacity building. I oftentimes say that, 'We're a little like a Johnny Appleseed.' The Council's job is to spot innovation in the field and to introduce it into soil that nurtures it and can sustain it."