For Immediate Release

Contact:
Devika Rao
[email protected]
678-384-7836

RALEIGH, NC (May 29, 2015) – Pam Dickens joins North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) as its newest systems change manager. With extensive experience in the disability field, Dickens will promote and manage the Council's work in advocacy and leadership.

As a systems change manager, Dickens will manage and oversee projects under the Council's Advocacy and Leadership committee such as NC Stakeholder Engagement Group, which focuses on shaping the long-term support and service systems for people with disabilities through meaningful engagement and dialogue with policymakers. It is the State's only cross-disability advocacy group.

Dickens, who was born with spina bifida, received a Masters in Public Health from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has spent the previous 14 years at the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health as their Women's Health Coordinator.

In her former role, Dickens developed a reproductive health curriculum for women with developmental disabilities, raised awareness for breast cancer screenings and assisted with victims of sexual violence. She also wrote and awarded eight grants to facilitate inclusive health opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

"We welcome Pam to the Council staff and know her vast knowledge will help in advancing NCCDD's mission of identifying problems facing people with disabilities throughout our state," said Chris Egan, NCCDD executive director.

Based in Raleigh, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities has 40 members, and 60 percent of the members are people with developmental disabilities or family members of people with disabilities. The Council awards grants for effective and innovative initiatives that promote community inclusion, independence, productivity, self-determination and integration for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Grants are awarded to grass roots advocacy groups, government agencies, disability nonprofits and other community organizations.

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