A 1999 federal court was supposed to pave the way for Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live more independently, and outside of hospitals. But years later, people with IDD still face major challenges in finding a place to live. 

The center is a collaboration between the state, Macon’s River Edge Behavioral Health and Mercer University. 

Since the late 1980s, Georgia has led the way in training professional peer counselors with substance misuse and mental health challenges to help others in similar situations.