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Local Voices

Community Update

All About
Developmental Disabilities (AADD) today announced that Madeline Griffin has
been named the nonprofit agency’s Family Support Center (FSC) Coordinator.
Griffin will be responsible for all of the organization’s community workshops,
partnerships and programs.



Every year
AADD (www.aadd.org)
provides support services, advocacy and training to more than 2,000 individuals
and families living with developmental disabilities.





The FSC is
designed to serve individuals and families living with developmental
disabilities in metro Atlanta and across Georgia, offering assistance during
difficult life transitions.  The Center
is initially funded to serve more than 1000 people annually, but the non-profit
organization plans to expand its services as funding allows. 

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“Madeline
Griffin brings to AADD an extraordinary depth of knowledge of the issues facing
individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Kathy Keeley, AADD’s executive
director. “Her rich work history in this area makes her highly qualified to
navigate complex bureaucracies to achieve great results for families living
with developmental disabilities.”





As Family
Support Center coordinator, Griffin will oversee many of AADD’s community
programs and services including:

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●     
Post High School Transition - Helping developmentally
disabled young adults and their families make the move from the support of the
school years to more independence



●     
Coordination of corporate partnerships and lunch and
learn programs for employees.



●     
Access to Futures Planning and Special Needs Trusts -
Supported through AADD’s network of attorneys, financial advisors and CPAs



●     
Supported Employment Program Information - Includes
career coaching, job assessment and job placement



●     
Recreation and Wellness Programing - Includes activity
groups and fitness programs in specific communities



●     
Workshops/Seminars/Community Discussions - Various
topics including special needs trusts, guardianship issues and dating 

As the parent
of two children, one of whom has Down syndrome, Griffin has been involved with
the developmental disability community for more than 30 years. She was the
first female Assistant District Attorney in DeKalb County, and served as a
Judge of the Juvenile Court. She also taught a course on the juvenile justice
system at Georgia State University.





As the parent
mentor for special education for the DeKalb County School District, she worked
one-on-one with parents, created and presented trainings for parents and
teachers, and collaborated with various agencies.



Griffin
received her bachelor of arts degree in English from Cornell University, and
her juris doctorate from the Emory University School of Law. She lives in the
Chamblee-Tucker area.






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