Our History
Our story began as early as 1977 when, as a result of a Federal mandate, each state was required to provide a means of protection and advocacy for people with disabilities. In Georgia that mandate birthed the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO). The GAO had at its helm many compassionate and forward thinking people who had a consciousness about human rights and a profound understanding of the deep-seated devaluation of people with disabilities.
By the end of that year the GAO would initiate several advisory boards throughout the state of Georgia comprised of people from local communities that would consider a means of voluntary citizen participation, apart from the legal and paid advocacy of the GAO itself. These advisory boards, with the financial support of the GAO, produced local, independent citizen advocacy programs as a way to provide protection and advocacy for their neighbors with developmental disabilities.
In 1978, the Atlanta Citizen Advocacy office was opened for business. In 1980 the DeKalb Citizen Advocacy office was opened. Atlanta Citizen Advocacy, Inc. incorporated June 21, 1991. DeKalb Citizen Advocacy, Inc. incorporated June 12, 1989. Both organizations officially became independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations.
On December 9, 2005 DeKalb Citizen Advocacy, Inc. merged with Atlanta Citizen Advocacy, Inc. As a result of this strategic alliance, the corporate structures and resources of both entities were combined. The name was changed to Citizen Advocacy of Atlanta & DeKalb, Inc. The decision to merge the organizations was deemed practical as both offices were only a few miles apart, and parts of DeKalb County and Atlanta overlap. We are extremely pleased with how this move has enhanced Citizen Advocacy in both geographic area.