Partners in Policy Making - SW Ohio

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Information on a program from the ARC of Ohio on influencing public policy. FYI - please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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There is still time to apply for Partners in Policymaking (Southwest Ohio). Attached is an application.

Dedicated to human rights,

Personal dignity,

Community participation.

Partners in Policymaking ®

Partners in Policymaking was created in Minnesota by the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities in 1987. Partners is an innovative, competency based leadership training program targeted to parents of young children with developmental disabilities. You can learn more about this program and see the curriculum at www.partnersinpolicymaking.com

The purpose of the program is twofold: To teach best practices in disability and the competencies of influencing public officials.

Since 1987, Partners programs have been implemented in 46 states, the Northern na Islands, Netherlands, Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom. More than 13,000 Partners graduates are part of a growing national and international network of community leaders serving on policy making committees, commissions, and boards at all levels of government.

The Arc of Ohio has been funded by The Greater Cincinnati Foundation and will be working in partnership with The Arc of Hamilton County to make Partners in Policymaking available to parents of children age 25 and under who have mental retardation or other developmental disability in Southwestern Ohio. Additional funding allows us to include up to five individuals who are eligible for county board of MR/DD services. The training will include seven Sunday and Thursday evening sessions, four on-line courses (if you do not have access to a computer, we can arrange for you to use one), the opportunity to attend conferences and other trainings of interest, and a specific advocacy project or involvement in the year following the training. A total of 128 hours are required in this course, but we are very flexible and understanding of the many time constraints of families and will work with you to make sure you are able to complete the coursework. The training sessions will be held at the Drake Center and other community locations. Training topics include:

· History of Services

· Inclusive Education

· Service Coordination

· Futures Planning

· Technology

· Employment

· Supported Living

· Systems Change

In addition to training, participants will have the opportunities to meet with state and local leaders who make and implement public policy.

Some funds are available to assist parents with child care for their child with special needs and for other children in the family.

For more information about Partners in Policymaking in Southwest Ohio, contact Joan Arnold at jarnold@... or Tom Eamoe at tweamoe@... The application is available at www.thearcofohio.org