Who We Are

Participant Directed Advocates of Georgia (PDAG) originated from a heartfelt conversation between two parents united by a shared concern for their families' futures. Rick Thompson—parent and Executive Director of Champions Community Foundation—and Rita Young—parent and project consultant—found themselves asking the same pressing question: What will happen to the self-directed care model when parents are no longer able to manage it?

This pivotal discussion sparked the launch of a three-year initiative, bringing together a committed workgroup that included a self-advocate, families, and professionals. Their efforts encompassed extensive networking and research across multiple states, as well as presenting at the Applied Self-Direction Conference for three consecutive years. The project also fostered valuable collaboration with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and the Georgia Department of Community Health.

The culmination of this work is the establishment of Participant Directed Advocates of Georgia (PDAG)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining and strengthening the self-directed care model for future generations.

Rita Young, Executive Director

For more than two decades, Rita has served as a corporate trainer, public policy director, and coalition builder within nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Her experience includes managing Georgia’s Partners in Policymaking program, serving as a grassroots organizer for the Unlock the Waiting List Campaign, and directing a statewide training and awareness initiative for law enforcement, judges, and attorneys focused on the unique needs of people with developmental disabilities.

As the parent of two autistic adult sons, Rita brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. For the past decade, she operated as a freelance project consultant, partnering with state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals on policy, training, and systems-level initiatives. Rita is based in North Fulton County and currently chairs the Assessment Tool Subcommittee for the DBHDD IDD Workgroup, working to improve access to the NOW/COMP waivers.

Mitzi Proffitt, Deputy Director

Mitzi Proffitt resides in Brooklet, Georgia, alongside her husband, Jack, and their son, Joshua, a Georgia Southern University graduate with a developmental disability. Over the past quarter century, Mitzi has dedicated herself to assisting families in various capacities. For the past eight years, she has held dual roles as the VP of Support Services and the Parent Training Initiative Director at Parent to Parent of Georgia, providing invaluable support to parents and families affected by disabilities. Before assuming these directorial positions, she served as a Regional Coordinator, steadily advancing through the ranks to management and leadership roles over a seven-year period. Mitzi's extensive experience spans her involvement in numerous state and national councils and boards, dating back to the past 25 years or more. Notably, she chaired the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities for seven years and currently holds the position of chair on the Georgia Participant-Directed Advisory Council.

PDAG Board Members

Rick Thompson - Advisory Board Member, Executive Director, Champions Community Foundation

Karen Addams - Board Chair, Parent Advocate, Community Volunteer, Disability Systems Expert

Dr. Katherine Crews, Ed.D- Board Vice Chair, Self Advocate and ICWP Recipient, Educator, owner, Read-Able Clinic

Dr. Tanisha Coney, Ed.D - Sibling Advocate, Board Secretary, Educator

Greg Corneille - Parent Advocate, Certified Financial Planner, owner of Choice Wealth Management

Shelly Hood- Parent Advocate, Multi-generational system advocate

Ethney Johnson- Parent Advocate, General Practice Registered Nurse