ADVOCACY * SUPPORT * AWARENESS
The Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council (SIDDC) was established in 1969 to assist in the planning, promotion, and development of supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families throughout their lifespan.
The SIDDC works in an effort to ensure the best possible quality of life for Staten Islanders with special needs through advocacy and providing individuals with relevant information. Members include self-advocates, their parents/family, friends, and service providers.
General Council monthly meetings are held both mornings and evenings, which sometimes include presentations by guest speakers keeping members informed about current issues. At these meetings, each of the SIDDC committees provide monthly reports, describing their work and advocacy efforts on the latest issues and trends impacting individuals with developmental disabilities. These committees are comprised of parents, self-advocates, advocates and professionals who have extensive knowledge in the field.
The SIDDC communicates the needs of families to public and elected officials using various media outlets, legislative information exchanges and through an annual Community Breakfast to ensure that the concerns and needs of the people represented are received and addressed. The SIDDC offers numerous events throughout the year to support our members including; a Family Resource and Transition Fair, Celebrating Achievements, Direct Support Professional (DSP) Awards Ceremony, Educational forums, Adult Transitioning forums and various events that are relevant to the mission of the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council.
SIDDC Executive Board Officers
Jason Harr is the Associate Director at On Your Mark, Inc. He has been with the agency since 2009, working his way up from the recreational program, to Assistant Residential Director, to Director of Residential Services prior to his current role. He also sits on the agency’s Human Rights Committee as well as the Incident Review Committee. Jason has been a member of the SIDDC since 2013, and was formerly the co-chair of the Residential Quality of Life Committee since 2014. Jason graduated with a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Touro College in 2012. Jason is a strong advocate for the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and is excited for his role with the SIDDC. In his personal time, he enjoys spending time with his family and 4 children.
Fidaije Nesimi has a 20-year background in Human Resources management as an executive in a software company. A highlight of this work included leading a NYC software consulting firm through a European expansion, followed by taking the company public.
For the last decade, Fidaije has been working as a Self-Direction Broker with nine years experience, working with families and self-advocates to design, develop and implement person-centered programming using the Self Direction funding stream. She has launched over 200 Self Direction plans, which provide meaningful services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. Her background in HR has been a huge asset to help families with recruitment, retention and performance management of Staff.
She is proud to have served as the Co-Chair of the Staten Island Self Directed Supports Committee for the past five years. She has enjoyed assisting parents and professionals by producing a series of meetings that included an array of topics and guest speakers such as: “Sustainability…What Happens after the parent is gone,” “Supported Decision Making,” “Supported Employment and Independent Housing.”
Fidaije’s commitment to community also includes being an IEP Parent Member, which allows her to support parents through the IEP process. She also is proud to have mentored many new Brokers to do this work, that is the most meaningful and fulfilling job of her career.
She is bilingual and has acted as an expert translator for families who speak Albanian. She is honored to now be a part of the SIDDC Executive Board as their Second Vice-Chair.
Maryann Virga is the Marketing and Development Coordinator at Catholic Charities of Staten Island (CCSI). She was employed by CCSI from 2012 to 2018, and then again from 2021 to the present. Before this role, she worked on Wall Street for Brown Brothers Harriman & Co for 13 years. Maryann has been a member of the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council (SIDDC) since 2014 and has been the co-chair of the Family Support Services Advisory Committee (FSSAC) since 2020. She graduated from Pace University with a BBA in Human Resources Management and a minor in Marketing. Maryann is a parent and advocate for a wonderful and charming adult son with multiple severe disabilities.
