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Partners in Policymaking

Training Advocates to Step Up to Leadership Roles

Recruitment · Overview · Schedule · FAQs · Application for Participation · Contact · Share your News · News · Upcoming Events · Class of 2008
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Become a Partner in Policymaking

PIP Application deadline extended to Wednesday, May 14th

Recruitment of individuals with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities for the 2008-2009 Virginia Board for People with Disabilities’ (VBPD) Partners in Policymaking (PIP) advocacy training program is currently underway. Partners graduating with the Class of 2009 will join nearly three hundred current alumni of the Virginia PIP program, and thousands who have graduated from similar programs across the country, who have learned how to make a difference every day for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Individuals participating in PIP attend advocacy training, resource development, and skill building workshops led by state and national experts. Topics covered include the history of the disability movement, self advocacy, independent living, supported employment, building inclusive communities, natural supports, legislative advocacy, assistive technology, communication, team building, and much more! VBPD covers all expenses for participants’ training, lodging, meals, and travel.

Program participants attend and actively participate in eight two-day sessions, from Friday afternoon and to late Saturday afternoon, in Richmond, Virginia. Specific dates for 2008-2009 are still to be confirmed but will include one session per month in September, October, and November 2008 and January, February, March, April, and May 2009. Accepted participants must agree to complete all homework, class assignments, and one major project designed to meet competencies.

To be considered for participation in PIP, individuals must submit a completed application form and provide three letters of recommendation. Download the application in Word Format. All application materials must be received at the Virginia Board’s offices by no later than Wednesday, May 14, 2008.

Additional information and applications may also be obtained by contacting Erin Hickey at Erin.Hickey@vbpd.virginia.gov or Teri Barker Morgan at Teri.Barker@vbpd.virginia.gov or by calling 1-800-846-4464 (toll free, voice & TTY).

Overview

Partners in Policymaking participants are people who live in Virginia, have a developmental disability or are parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Individuals attending the program will participate in advocacy skill workshops, resource development, and leadership training.

Application and selection as a participant for the program requires a substantial commitment of time, motivation and energy. If accepted, the Partners in Policymaking program requires attendance and participation in eight two day sessions between September and May. Each session begins on Friday afternoon and concludes Saturday afternoon. Participants meet competencies by agreeing to complete homework, class assignments and one major project.

The group of selected participants will build networks with state and national leaders as well as one another. Participants will be educated on current issues, state-of-the-art approaches and best practices in many areas including:

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Schedule

Fall 2008-Spring 2009 Class Schedule:

Month Dates Year
September 12-13 2008
October 10-11 2008
November 14-15 2008
January 9-10 2009
February 6-7 2009
March 13-14 2009
April 3-4 2009
May 15-16 2009 - Graduation

Fall 2007-Spring 2008 Class Schedule:

Month Dates Year
September 14-15 2007
October 12-13 2007
November 16-17 2007
January 11-12 2008
February 15-16 2008
March 07-08 2008
April 11-12 2008
May 16-17 2008 - Graduation

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FAQs

  1. What are the eligibility requirements to become a Partner in Policymaking participant?
  2. How are individuals selected for the Partners in Policymaking class?
  3. Is there any cost involved in attending the Partners in Policymaking sessions?
  4. What happens in the sessions?
  5. What happens if I have a scheduling conflict with one of the session dates?
  6. Where are sessions held?

What are the eligibility requirements to become a Partner in Policymaking participant?
To be eligible, an individual must:

How are individuals selected for the Partners in Policymaking class?
Individuals are selected as Partners in Policymaking participants in a competitive application process administered statewide. In order to be considered, applications must be received by the deadline and are then reviewed for compliance with application procedures. Following the screening and selection process, all applicants will be notified of their status by letter.

Is there any cost involved in attending the Partners in Policymaking sessions?
All Session expenses are paid by the Partners Program, including lodging, transportation, food, materials, and individual accommodations, such as sign language interpreters and personal care assistants.

What happens in the sessions?
At each session you will receive intensive exploration of a variety of topics including Self-Advocacy, Independent Living, and Assistive Technology as well as an unforgettable experience interacting with enthusiastic speakers and fellow participants. You will finish the Sessions with a greater knowledge of community resources and developed skills in advocacy then when you arrived and be able to create opportunities for yourself and your community when you return home.

What happens if I have a scheduling conflict with one of the session dates?
The Partners in Policymaking Program requires a substantial commitment of time, motivation and energy for both participants and program staff. To provide the fullest experience, attendance is required at all sessions.

Where are sessions held?
All sessions are held in a Conference Hotel in the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area. Participants will be notified of the location when they are selected as participants.

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Contact

For more information contact:

Partners in Policymaking
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
Ninth Street Office Building
202 North 9th Street, 9th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
800-846-4464 (TTY/voice)
804-786-1118 (fax)

Teri Barker, Sponsored Programs Manager
Teri.Barker@vbpd.virginia.gov
804-786-9381

Or

Erin Hickey, Sponsored Programs Assistant
Erin.Hickey@vbpd.virginia.gov
804-786-3456

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Share your News

Partners In Policymaking graduates are an outstanding resource on a local, state and national level. Their advocacy and influence is far reaching --- impacting many of the important issues of our time, such as: inclusive education, community inclusion, accessibility, employment and equal opportunity, attitudes and values, and civil rights.

We want to hear from Partners graduates. We want to know what you're involved in, how your advocacy is making a difference, in small and large ways - no success is too small.

Please click here to share your success. We will regularly update the PIP "News" section with the successes and accomplishments of Partners from throughout Virginia. It's important that we stay connected!! PLEASE SHARE, the Partners program NEEDS your feedback!!

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News

Jessie Chapman's (class of 2005) PIP Final Project is currenttly hanging at Chippenham Hospital in Chesterfield County. She got artwork from kids with developmental disabilities at St. Joseph's Villa, a provider in the Richmond. A local businessman donated the framing and matting. On October 1 Chippenham Hospital held an open house.

Jennifer Moore (Class of 2004) was appointed to the Greensville County School Board earlier this year.Sroject is still going strong!). Jennifer has "adopted" all of the self-contained classes in Greensville County. Some classes, for the first time, have been fully included on two field trips with the regular education 5th and 6th grades including a trip to the Wilson, NC Imagination Station and a trip to a play at Swift Creek Playhouse in Colonial Heights. Jennifer's School Board position has taken a lot of hard work, time and dedication, but, more importantly, it has given her the opportunity to advocate for the students who receive Special Education services. Her school, for the first time, has implemented a change in the school day for the Special Education students. These students before Oct. 1st were arriving to school later and leaving earlier than the regular education students. As of October 1, their school day is now the same length as regular education students.

Sue Murray (Class of 2003) gave presentations to local parents' groups on tips for obtaining insurance coverage for behavioral therapy for children with autism. - Provided written testimony to the Special Advisory Commisson on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits to support VA SB1049 for coverage for treatments for children with developmental delay. - Assisted several families in obtaining insurance coverage for their childrens' treatment. - Attended meetings for the FCPS Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities as well as local parent groups and training seminars on topics related to autistic spectrum disorders.

Jim Hines (Class of 2005) has been elected to the board of directors of the Arc of the Peninsula. The Arc sponsors group homes and a sheltered workshop. He's an active member of the Holiday House of Portsmouth parents committee.

Laura Baxter (Class of 2001) is a member of the Middle Peninsula Brain Injury Support Group. The support group works with individuals with a brain injury, their families and caregivers. They help people to understand the complex and confusing aspects of the world of Brain Injury. "I work with Del. Harvey Morgan on upcoming legislation. Our big success was last years Neurotrauma Initiative. I have also been successful in getting more resources such as Regional Resource Coordinators for localities."

Suzanne Conway (Class of 2005) has been very busy, as is evident below, with the wide variety of activities and issues she has been working on:

This summer she was sponsorship chair for Day in the Park for the City of Lynchburg, a free day at the Park for the Greater Lynchburg area, raising over $16,000 with grants and sponsorships.

Also, she is on the sponsorship committee for the Junior League of Lynchburg, currently in the process of raising funds for Mardi Gras, the Junior League's major fund raiser of the year. They use the money from this event to give grants to non-profits groups to help women and children in the Greater Lynchburg area.

Her local SEAC attended the state training in Roanoke, spurring them to form a steering committee and draft new bylaws.

She was on the planning committee for the first annual Lynchburg regional Transition Conference, held November 12.

Her SEAC, in partnership with local businesses, universities, and the Lynchburg school system made possible the College for Living (Plus) program, which mentors students, integrates them into college life, and teaches steps to independence (or dependence on one's own abilities) such as taking public transport to school. The community college is using it as a pilot program and hopes to bring it to the surrounding counties. [John's note: We talked at the last Partners session on November 11-12 about creating solutions at the local level that can stand as examples when larger entities are ready to address problems.]

The State Board of Special Education has recently started the Virginia Outcome Project, an extensive review on improving IEP's graduation success. Lynchburg has been accepted into the program. Doug Cox of DOE (and the VBPD) Barbara Salisbury (Class of 2003), Mr. Vanderworker (Special Education Director) and Suzanne went to an open meeting in Roanoke in the spring. They addressed the need to have the program expanded, which happened.

She recently joined the Women's League of Voters with Barbara Salisbury. Next year's chair is very interest in being educated in disabilities since many of their members are elderly.

Update from Mariko Reynolds (Class of 2005) - "Hi Everyone,

Hope you all had a wonderful summer and kicked off a great school or home-school year. I miss my fellow PIP classmates and their passion for positive change.

I would like to share some good news with you.

Many of you are familiar with a gripping story, Evidence of Harm by David Kirby, autism-mercury medical controversy. I for one am convinced that a certain subtype of children with autism is mercury-poisoned mainly from childhood vaccines containing mercury as a preservative. Though my own daughter, Jenny does not develop regressive autism as a result of mercury in vaccines, diagnostic tests proved that her body cannot eliminate as many heavy metals including mercury as it should be. Therefore, I am determined to advocate mercury-free vaccines for the world. This is what the book, Evidence of Harm is all about.

Autism-mercury controversy is so close to my heart that I recently took an action.

I sat down with the head of Department of Management in Business School and 3 other instructors at Virginia Tech 2 weeks ago. I convinced them to work with me to write up a case study of autism-mercury controversy described in the book, Evidence of Harm, for business majors to debate in the class as a part of their curriculum. Autism-mercury controversy should, in my opinion, go beyond the walls of autism community. As I had suspected, they did not have much knowledge of autism or mercury in vaccines. However, I had good listeners and they seem interested enough to talk about publishing the case study in a textbook on corporate social responsibilities for business majors nationwide. I am also invited to speak in class outlining what autism-mercury controversy is all about. Later, students are going to get a quiz on my talk. I was thrilled at their willingness and interest.

Early this month, I started a new parent local support group focusing on learning biomedical interventions for autism. For the last 4 years, I have accumulated much experiences on special diets with an individualized vitamin and supplement regimen, on prescriptions to treat intestinal flora, and on detox protocols. I wanted to share what I learned to help jump start those who are interested in biomedical approaches to treat autism. I am delighted that some parents come from Roanoke areas to our meetings. I am trying to educate those parents on what I learned in PIP.

After Jenny had a traumatic incident of being physically removed by multiple lifeguards from a community swimming pool for ignoring their commands of evacuation when thundering, I was told not to come back with her any more. I managed to set aside my emotions and convinced the pool director to use visual aids to help Jenny and other individuals with autism comprehend pool safety rules. I emphasized nobody felt good about what happened and showed that there was a better way.

I offered help in developing positive behavior supports for clients with disabilities at the pool. As a result, lifeguards are learning to be more preventive and positive. They now keep a set of visual aids that I made to assist people with intellectual and hearing disabilities in case of thunder or health hazards at the pool. Now they are proud of themselves. As Jenny put it, "I am teaching lifeguards how to do their job right."

Lastly, as a personal note, I want to share that my little Jenny is doing wonderfully!! Last week, after a year of trials and errors, she out of blue started to play cello using all four fingers instead of just one. She intensely studied her partner playing a song. Then, she played the song for the first time without any help whatsoever!! Her partner could not close her mouth! I could not believe my eyes or my ears. The cello teacher was equally stunned. By the way, this sudden leap of progress is coincided with commencement of trans-dermal chelation therapy.

That is all for now. Please take care and share what you are doing!

Autism Facts
1 in 166 births
10-17% annual increase
$90 billion annually cost
In 1990s, US population increase13%. Disabilities increase 16%. Autism increase 172%.
Isn't it time to get to the bottom of autism epidemic?"

Kathy Maybee (Class of 1996) - Colin Maybee, son of Kathy Maybee '96, graduated from J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico County in June.

Carletta Wilson (Class of 2005) was named on June 13 as chair of the Richmond City Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Carletta replaces Vicki Beatty '02, who was the SEAC chair for the last two years. John Richmond '98 was named vice-chair of the committee, replacing Carletta.

Cynthia Lantz (Class of 2003) and Dana Yarbrough '97 work with the Partnership for People with Disabilities to train parents and self-advocates in putting together a Care Coordination Notebook which documents all financial, medical, and other transactions pertinent to education and other services.

Eric Clark (Class of 1999) was appointed by Gov. Warner to the VBPD to fill the unexpired term of Barbara Gilley. Christy Crowther '04 also was appointed to the Board immediately upon her graduation. They join eight other Partners who serve on the 40-person Board: Sandy Hermann '03, Lisbet Ward '99, Norma Draper '03, Elin Doval '96, Thomas Leach '96, Mike Collis '95, Jenny Thornburg '04, Monique Tinsley '03. Lisbet, Norma, and Monique chair the committees on which they sit; Sandy serves as Board Chair.

Lynn Ruiz (Class of 2001) - On Friday, January 28, Lynn Ruiz, VBPD Board Member Cindy Daniel, and two other advocates from the ARC of Northern Virginia sat down over coffee and bagels with the special education directors from Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church.

Vicki Beatty (Class of 2002) was recently interviewed on Channel 12 news, Richmond's local NBC affiliate, regarding the inaccessibility to individuals with physical disabilities of many schools in the City of Richmond. At present only 4 out of 61 school facilities are listed as being fully accessible. Vicki continues to work on the issue.

Joanna Frank (Class of 2001) was recently interviewed on Channel 6, the Richmond CBS local affiliate, during a segment they did on autism. Joanna's final project for PIP was to educate 911 first responders in Hanover County about autism and to help to develop a registry of people with autism in Hanover so that police officers and fire and rescue workers would be able to find out if a person who was missing/ill/in danger had autism. Hanover County has embraced and further developed Joanna's vision.

Sandra Harris (Class of 2004) gave birth to a daughter, Anna Elizabeth, on October 5, 2004. By all accounts mother and daughter are doing well. Congratulations, Sandra!

Jeremy Severtson (Class of 2005) appointed to Richmond Public Schools Special Education Advisory Committee.

Martin Powell (Class of 2005) Wrote letters to local pharmacy, local restaurant, and transit authority to recommend actions to improve access for individuals with physical disabilities. The action with the transit authority was successful; the actions with the pharmacy and restaurant continue. Also wrote letter to DMAS recommending an increase in the hourly rate for caregivers; DMAS granted a 5% increase.

Tina Lewis (Class of 2005) Working with a fellow counselor at the Norfolk Endependence Center to help individuals who want to move out of nursing homes to do so.

Christy Crowther (Class of 2004) Began new job at Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority in August 2005

Pam Wright (Class of 2003) Produced a documentary about three individuals with disabilities living successfully in their own homes and communities with family and community supports which is eligible for an award from a local film festival.

Jennifer Brown (Class of 2003) Putting together an inclusive gymnastics competition at her daughter's gym and doing a presentation on advocacy for Smart Ones (who sponsors the special needs gymnastics class at our gym). Her daughter is now in general classes for half the day, a development for which she credits PIP in part.

Donna Martinez (Class of 2001) secretary of the National Coalition on Self Determination, board member on VA TASH, and Career Transition Education representative on Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities-Fairfax County Public Schools. Gave testimony regarding state regulations for IDEA, 2004. Facilitator for one of the Virginia Coalition for Students with Disabilities forums in Northern Virginia (Vienna) to discuss IDEA '04 and the Virginia regulatory process.

Carol Jones (Class of 1998) founded a Richmond-area parent support group for parents of teenagers and adults with severe disabilities. In addition to having regular meetings they have also taken inclusive recreational trips with families and friends.

Pat Guthrie (Class of 1998) "I'm so glad you are doing this. I keep forgetting things I do and this will provide an opportunity to just come and share." Still writing articles for her column, "Disability Issues" which she began after graduation from PIP, in the local newspaper, The Southwest Times. Her latest two articles were on Handicap Parking and issues surrounding misuse of these spaces as well as improperly marked spaces; and on accessible housing. She continues to advocate for accessibility everywhere she go, speaking to store managers when she finds bathrooms or doors, etc. inaccessible to people who use wheelchairs. She wrote to and talked with Delegate Benny Keister about his plan to improve rest areas in Southwest Virginia, urging him that if improvements are made, that they be sure that all restrooms are totally accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

Linda Moore (Class of 1995) was presented with the "Award of Excellence for Advocacy 2005" from the American Cancer Society. Co-presented "Creating Positive Volunteer Opportunities for Adults with Autism" at the Virginia Transition Forum 2005, March 14 -16, 2005 in Williamsburg, Virginia with son Tim (YLF 2002) Our presentation was titled Provided support for my son to enroll in the American School (College Preparatory High School. The American School an accredited correspondence high school located in Lansing, Illinois. My son was awarded his High School Diploma from the American School on May 9,2005. Scheduled to co- present "Determined to Earn a Standard High School Diploma" with son Tim at the Division On Career Development and Transition (DCDT) 13th International Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in October 2005.

I will assist my son Tim Moore in starting a group called "A Voice for GAP Kids" since these students do not have a voice. The group will attempt to raise awareness of GAP Kids or Gray- area Kids. Many student/parents around the state are not even aware that they are GAP Kids. . Helping Tim with his goal "to at least give A Voice to GAP Kids". Our first goal is to address is the educational issue of "GAP Kids" to affect change in Public Policy.

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Upcoming Events

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Class of 2008

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