Policy Fellowship

"Educating and Engaging in Public Policy and Disability Scholarship"

Overview of the 2008-09 Disability Policy Fellowship

The VPBD Disability Policy Fellowship, established in 1994, offers the right candidate an outstanding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Virginians with developmental disabilities. The goals of this Fellowship are as follows:

• First, and foremost, to fill the growing need for skilled policy analysts who possess a high level of knowledge about macro-level disability-related issues and an understanding of the entire state disability services system; and
• To provide an opportunity for a student to obtain practical experience in public policy development and to conduct applied research on disability-related issues.

The Disability Policy Fellowship, which includes a $17,500 stipend for the year (May 2008-May 2009), is awarded to one student per year through a competitive application process.

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Requirements of the Disability Policy Fellow

• Complete a total of 770 hours during academic school year between May 2008 and June 1, 2008. The Fellow must complete the following work schedule:
  • Between May 1st and September 1st, 2008, work full-time weekdays (40 hours/week) for a minimum of eight (8) consecutive weeks (320 hours);
  • During the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters, work a minimum of fourteen (14) hours per week.
  • The precise work schedule will be determined with the successful applicant.
• Complete a formal research study on a disability related subject directly pertaining to the Board’s 2007-2011 State Plan and program activities.
  • Research study areas will be assigned by the Fellowship Director in collaboration with Board Members.
  • At the end of the Fellowship term, the Fellow must produce a written report and make a formal PowerPoint presentation on the study and its findings to the full Board.
• Participate in activities such as:
  • Quarterly Board meetings, to include preparation of materials for discussion per agenda;
  • Various Board work projects pertaining to program evaluation, public policy, and advocacy;
  • Board sponsored program activities; and
  • Meetings of various statewide advocacy groups, interagency workgroups, and Commissions with which the Board is a partner.
• Provide official verification of enrollment during the Spring 2008, Fall 2009, and Spring 2009 terms.

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Applicant Criteria for Fellowship Position

1. Must be a currently enrolled, full-time graduate student at a Virginia college or university;
2. Must be enrolled in a school or program pertaining to human services (public or social policy, health policy, social work, public administration, education, rehabilitation, nursing, social sciences or related disciplines); and
3. Must have a strong career interest in policy analysis and research at the systems level.

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Application Process for Fellowship

Each Fellowship applicant must submit the following information in hard copy to the Board:

• A cover letter from the student stating...
  • Reasons why the student is interested in the Fellowship; and
  • His/her 5-year professional goals.
• Letters of recommendation from:
  • His/her academic program director, and
  • at least one full-time faculty member who is familiar with the student's performance and goals;
• His/her current resume or Curriculum Vitae; and
• Verification of current enrollment in the college or university.

Candidates for the Fellowship are selected through review of these materials and a face-to-face interview. Selection will be made in April 2008.

Announcements soliciting applications for the Disability Policy Fellowship are sent to faculty at universities and colleges statewide by both regular and electronic mail. Multiple applicants from the same university or program are welcome.

It is important to note that receipt of the Fellowship stipend will affect any student financial aid package since the stipend typically is counted against the average graduate cost-of-attendance. However, the Fellowship stipend is an award and not a loan requiring repayment.

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Contact

For further information regarding the Fellowship: Contact Dr. Linda L. Redmond by phone at (804) 786-7333 or (800) -846-4464 (Voice /TTY) or by e-mail at Linda.Redmond@vbpd.virginia.gov.

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Previous Disability Fellows and their Research Projects or Topics

2007:Meg Hardt Brown, M.S., Virginia Commonwealth University
An Evaluation of Program Effectiveness: Partners in Policymaking, 2001-06.

2006: Shannon Hamm, M.S., Virginia Commonwealth University
Disability Prevalence and Demographics in Virginia

2003: Ed Bostick MPA, Virginia Commonwealth University
Practitioner Survey Report: Characteristics, Perceptions of Working Environment, and Barriers to Providing Community-based Disability Services in Virginia.

2002: Ellen Jackson, College of William and Mary
Survey of Virginia Educators with Disabilities

2001: Elizabeth Clifford, Old Dominion University
Special Education Teacher Training & Recruitment; and Community Inclusion.

2000: Amy G. Wright, Virginia Commonwealth University
Women and Disability, An Exploratory Study: Perspectives on Education, Community Living and Employment; and E-Survey: Access in Higher Education

1999: Kelly Myles, Virginia Commonwealth University
Study of Housing for People with Disabilities in Virginia; and Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities: A Case Study of Virginia

1998: Rhonda F. Newsome, College of William and Mary
Access to Businesses and Services for People with Disabilities; and State Disability Prevalence and Demographics.

1997: Jan Starkweather, College of William and Mary
Survey of Institutional Facilities in Virginia

1996: Jon Bailey, College of William and Mary
Agency Policy Principles; and Use of Vouchers in Human Services.

1995: Carolyn Smith, College of William and Mary
Employment Issues Analysis: Traditional Job Training Systems.

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Special Reports Developed by VBPD Disability Policy Fellows, 2000 – 2006

2002: Ed Bostick - The Plan of Cooperation 1985 to 1992: An Analysis

2002: Ellen M. Jackson - What Do Virginia School Board Members Know About Special Education?

2001: Elizabeth Clifford - An Overview of the State Special Education Advisory Committee

2000: Amy Wright - A Comparative Analysis: the Virginia Disability Commission and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities

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