In recognition of National Developmental Disability Awareness Month, honoring the Philadelphia Intellectual disABILITY Services on the occasion of the 24th Annual My City, My Place Brighter Futures Awards.

WHEREAS, The month of March has been celebrated nationwide since 1987 as National Developmental Disability Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Each year Philadelphia Intellectual disABILITY Services (IDS), a division of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disABILITY Services, commemorates this with its My City, My Place Brighter Futures Awards; and

WHEREAS, This year, the 24th annual My City, My Place Brighter Futures Awards will be held on March 18, 2016, at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel, hosted by Director of IDS, Denise T. Patterson, her staff and members of the IDS Public Awareness Committee with the theme, "Inventive Paths to Brighter Futures"; and

WHEREAS, The event will feature a resource room called "Innovation Station" showcasing organizations and agencies that have created new ways for people with disabilities to participate fully; and

WHEREAS, The awards will be emceed by Loraine Ballard Morrill of iheartmedia, the perennial Mistress of Ceremonies for IDS awards events and will offer the public an opportunity to hear a keynote address by Pennsylvania Secretary of Human Services, Ted Dallas; and

WHEREAS, IDS oversees services for 12,000 adults and children with intellectual disabilities, working with 80 service providers, including Supports Coordination (formerly known as Case Management), Early Intervention Services (which covers children from birth to 3 years of age), In-home Supports and Respite Services, Employment and Adult Day Services and Community Living and Lifesharing Services; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the IDS Public Awareness Committee, headed by Wendy Williams, is to raise awareness in the general community, the media and among elected officials about the talents and desires of people with intellectual disability as well as to enable those citizens to take their rightful place in the community and live "everyday lives"; and

WHEREAS, Several community members, both with and without intellectual disabilities, are being recognized with the Brighter Futures Awards for their efforts in enabling people with intellectual disabilities to excel or being shining examples of the successes of people with intellectual disabilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That Council, in recognition of National Developmental Disability Awareness Month, does hereby honor the Philadelphia Intellectual disABILITY Services on the occasion of the 24th Annual My City, My Place Brighter Futures Awards

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