TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INSTITUTE What s working in Self Advocacy? Council Staff present their most Successful Strategies July 12, 2017 WHAT S WORKING WITH SELF- ADVOCACY IN SOUTH CAROLINA Will Farrior, SC DD Council staff William.Farrior@admin.sc.gov 1
OBJECTIVE 1. (COLLABORATION) We use local speakers to come and present to our constituents about self-advocacy, boards, committees, local, state and federal legislation. OBJECTIVE 2 (SEIZING THE MOMENT) We find ways to meet individuals with all types of disabilities to connect them to resources that help them meet their personal goals. 2
OBJECTIVE 3 ( BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS) The South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council collaborates with other organizations to enhance opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. INCLUSIVE ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Melissa Swartz, NCCDD Staff melissa.swartz@dhhs.nc.gov 919-850-2901 www.nccdd.org 3
INCLUSIVE ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE 5-Year State Plan Goal 3: Objective A The IALD initiative addresses the NCCDD s mandate to increase support to a statewide selfadvocacy organization(s) through leadership development and coalition participation. INCLUSIVE ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (IALD) The IALD is an in-house council effort in partnership with the North Carolina DD Network. The IALD initiative has two activities: Advocacy Organizing and Leadership Training Development 4
NCCDD INCLUSIVE ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Advocacy Organizing Self-Advocate Members of DD Network Boards PATH strategic planning process set course Self-Advocate Organization (NC Empowerment Network) 10 NCCDD INCLUSIVE ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Leadership Training Development Steering Committee of NCPIP and NC ASLiDD graduates, mentors, and staff Primary Task: Gathering information to explore inclusive leadership training 5
NCCDD INCLUSIVE ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Two co-coordinators manage the initiative day to day administration THE WISCONSIN STORY Fil Clissa, Senior Program/Policy Analyst fil.clissa@wisconsin.gov 6
SUPPORTING SELF-ADVOCACY EFFORTS Establish or strengthen a program for the direct funding of a State self-advocacy organization led by individuals with developmental disabilities; support opportunities and provide leadership training to individuals with developmental disabilities who may become leaders; and support and expand participation of individuals with developmental disabilities in cross-disability and culturally diverse leadership coalitions. What does this mean? PEOPLE FIRST WISCONSIN What do they need Support with? Organizational Support Leadership Training Advocacy Efforts 7
PEOPLE FIRST WISCONSIN Organizational Support: Bookkeeper Office Support TA support (contract) Work plan Monthly progress Report PEOPLE FIRST WISCONSIN Leadership Training Executive meetings Partners in Policymaking Advisor and Local Group Training 8
PEOPLE FIRST WISCONSIN Advocacy Efforts Disability Advocacy Day Public Policy Support Contract Quarterly meetings with Governor s office KEEP GOING! 9
KEEP ON BUILDING TEXAS ADVOCATES Beth Stalvey, Executive Director, Texas DD Council beth.stalvey@tcdd.texas.gov 10
Independent 501c3 2 paid staff 500 members; 19 chapters Meet monthly to share resources and ideas Transportation biggest barrier to meetings TEXAS ADVOCATES Funding: Grants In-kind from partners Fundraising- conference; fun-runs; city-wide donations TEXAS DD COUNCIL ROLE Does not fund operations directly Awarded grant through competitive bid; same reporting requirements Council discussions about ongoing funding 11
TEXAS ADVOCATES: STRENGTHS Good relationship with disability community Support from multiple individuals and organizations to manage daily operations and administration Partner organization who helped push them out of the nest Current grant and other funding streams have allowed stability in staff and ongoing coordination and visibility TEXAS ADVOCATES: KEY PRINCIPLES Value of self-advocates in disability community Self-advocates trust of partner organizations Having a voice Personalities of leaders Support with administrative tasks and operations of the organization Succession planning Staff Funding 12
NETWORKING QUESTIONS What do you feel is your Council s biggest challenge when it comes to supporting SA? Either the 3 SA mandated requirements or other areas of advocacy? What strategies did you hear today that you may take back to support your Council? What other SA/Advocacy successes has your Council experienced that you would like to share with the group? Generate your own table question related to self-advocacy. 13