Fulton County, Georgia – Fulton County Board of Commissioners will make an official announcement at its March 4 meeting at the Government Center that March will be National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Fulton County. The award shows that the county continues to strive to help people with developmental impairments and make the town more welcoming for everyone.
The event will also honor the work of Fulton County’s Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities. People from the department’s three training centers, which serve the northern, central, and southern parts of the county, are scheduled to attend the commissioners for the presentation. This is an annual event that emphasizes both service and advocacy.
The purpose of the national commemoration is to raise awareness of the need for inclusion in all areas of life, including education, employment, play, and civic engagement. It also acknowledges the challenges that people with developmental disabilities may still face. This is a time to celebrate and think about what has happened.
“The Behavioral Health and Development Disabilities team is proud to be able to recognize the unlimited potential of all Fulton County residents who live, work and thrive in our communities—including those with developmental disabilities,” said BHDD Director LaTrina Foster. “The priority is to always provide quality services.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that developmental disabilities are problems with physical, learning, language, or behavior. These could be autism spectrum diseases, cerebral palsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning or intellectual difficulties, hearing loss, vision impairment, or other delays in development.
Communities across the country will work to improve knowledge and make it easier for people to get involved in meaningful ways throughout March. In Fulton County, that effort is directly linked to getting to local services and support systems.
Residents seeking eligibility for developmental disability services are advised to contact the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Region 3 Office for entry and evaluation at 770-414-3052. For general information, the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities can be reached at 404-613-7013 or through the county’s website at www.fultoncountyga.gov/helpishere.
