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 PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING

2010 Schedule:
Partners in PolicyMaking

September 25 & 26
October 23 & 24
November 20 & 21
December 18 & 19
January 8 & 9
February 12 & 13
March 19 & 20
April 9 & 10
Graduation is Sunday, April 10, 2011

Printable 2010 Partners in Policymaking application PDF
Deadline: August 16, 2010

Building Leaders

Partners in Policymaking PIP is a leadership training program. It is expressly for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Participants [Partners] acquire knowledge about issues related to developmental disabilities, helping build their competency as advocates who can effectively influence public policy. The overall goal is to achieve an effective partnership between people needing and using services and those in a position to effect policy and law.

PIPis designed to provide information, training and skill- building so that participant can obtain the most appropriate current services for themselves or others. Partners learn about the most up-to-date issues and best practices in the field. They become familiar with the policymaking and legislative processes at the local, state and federal levels.

Each of the eight two-day sessions is devoted to specific topics with presenters who are experts in their fields. Partners are expected to complete assignments between sessions and to commit to one major personal goal – these might be serving an internship, organizing a letter-writing campaign, or arranging special receptions or town meetings for the public and town officials.

Each session is devoted to specific topics with nationally known experts as presenters. Partners participants must complete assignments between sessions and commit to one major assignment, such as serving an internship, organizing a letter writing campaign, organizing special receptions or town meetings for public officials.

 In general, session topics may include:

• History of the Independent Living, Parent and Self-Advocacy movements

• Issues in Education for People with Developmental Disabilities

• Self-Directed Living

• Supported Employment and Work

• Family Support

• Positive Behavioral Supports

• Federal Policy and Legislative Issues

• State Policy, Services and legislative Issues

• Interaction with State Policymakers

• Community Organizing and Successful Advocacy Organization Efforts

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities is accepting applications from interested people who have developmental disabilities or are relatives/guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities to participate in Partners in Policymaking.

Hands-On Training

A series of eight consecutive monthly training sessions begin in September and conclude with graduation in April. The monthly sessions begin each Saturday at 12 noon and conclude on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Attendance at all eight sessions is mandatory. The exact dates for this year will be made available with your application.

Participation

The Council on developmental Disabilities is eager that members of each partner in Policymaking class represent a cross-section of disability, ethnic background and geographic location within the state.

Space is Limited!

Only a limited number of applications are accepted, statewide, each year. Interested persons are urged to complete and submit an application as soon as possible. An interview is part of the selection process. You will be notified if you are selected for an interview.

Expenses

Congratulations to thePIP
Graduating Class of 2009

Mallika Desai
Valienne Eliassaint
Roxanne Ely
Michael Ferrara
Kenneth Fiore
Emanuel Gambino
Jackie Epps-Hardy
Gary Hegedus
Andrew Hunt
Sue Johnson
Strawberri Lucas
Diane Marie Maurer
Jonathan D. McAlary
Teresa Morrison
Vivien Munn
William Nivison
Sean O’Boyle
Evelyn O’Brien
Martha Globus-Rodrigez
Greg Schreiner
Jennifer Sterner
Christine M. Thomas
Rafael Torres
MaryKay Weber