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).

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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.

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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:     Dr. Janice Carter - Fort Worth Independent School District

Place 2:     Amy Govea - JPS Health Network

Place 3:     Laura Golden - My Health My Resources (MHMR)

Place 4:     Tarrant County (position vacant)

Place 5:     Christine Gibson - Community Advocate

Place 6:     Audra Ressel, Board Secretary - Parent Advocate

Place 7:     Lindsi Edwards - Self Advocate

Place 8:     Michelle Crim - Parent Advocate

Place 9:     Kerry Romine - Parent Advocate

Place 10:   Lacey Eaton - Community Advocate

Place 11:   Kerri Staples - Community Advocate 

Place 12:    Mariel Fernandez, Board Treasurer - Community Advocate

Place 13:    Shawnnita Buckner, Board Chair - Family Advocate

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