Villa’s Advocacy Council recently held its first meeting — and we’re excited to share what this passionate group is all about.

Our council brings together families, staff, and community members who care deeply about protecting and improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities. We meet monthly to stay informed about state and national policy issues and to take action when laws or funding decisions could impact Villa’s community.

Some of our key priorities include:

• Emergency planning for people with disabilities

• Protecting Medicaid and disability services funding

• Ensuring fair pay and support for service providers

Advocacy makes a difference. This year, nearly 20,000 Californians—including many of our own Villa advocates—spoke out against a proposed delay in critical funding for disability services. Over 120,000 messages were sent to the Governor and legislators, and thanks to this pressure, the delay was reduced from 12 months to just 6.

Villa was founded on advocacy. A group of determined mothers created the Villa School to ensure their children with Down syndrome received a real education—not institutionalization. Our Advocacy Council carries on that legacy, standing up for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.

We hope you’ll join us in this important work. Together, we are stronger—and our voices matter.