RSVP Deadline for Savannah Conversations that Matter Extended

Please Join Us!

Conversations That Matter:

Justice and Developmental Disabilities

• Meet with advocates and community leaders for a dialogue about individuals with developmental disabilities and the justice system.
• Discuss current programs and practices in Georgia and your community and identify community-based alternatives to incarceration.
• Receive updates on the Georgia Crisis System for individuals with developmental disabilities.

January 12, 2012

6:30pm-8:30pm Savannah

The Armstrong Center

Armstrong Atlantic State University

13040 Abercorn Street

Savannah, Georgia 31419-1997

The deadline to RSVP has been extended to 12:00pm Sunday, January 8th.

Jennifer McGee, 912-355-9098

jennifermcgee@comcast.net

Mary Poncy, 912-272-2774

maryponcy@msbees.com

Please send to those in your network that you feel should be invited to the discussion. If you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact Heidi Fernandez.

Sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Developmental Disabilities. Presented by All About Developmental Disabilities.

SAVE THE DATE!

Save the Date!

Conversations That Matter:

Justice and Developmental Disabilities

·         Meet with advocates and community leaders for a dialogue about individuals with developmental disabilities and the justice system.  

·         Discuss current programs and practices in Georgia and your community and identify community-based alternatives to incarceration.

·         Receive updates on the Georgia Crisis System for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Jan. 12, 2012

6:30pm-8:30pm Savannah

The Armstrong Center

Armstrong Atlantic State University

13040 Abercorn Street

Savannah, Georgia 31419-1997 
                                                 

 RSVP by January 1^st:

Jennifer McGee, 912-355-9098

Jennifermcgee4@comcast.net

Mary Poncy, 912-272-2774

maryponcy@msbees.com

Jan. 26, 2012

 6:30pm-8:30pm College Park

South Fulton Service Center

5600 Stonewall Tell Road

College Park, GA 30049                                                                  

RSVP by January 16th

Yvette Pollard, 404-664-1393

sfcuorg@gmail.com

Feb.9, 2012 11:30am-1:30pm Gainesville

The Oaks at Lanier Charter Career Academy

2719 Tumbling Creek Road

Gainesville, GA 30504                                                                    

RSVP by January 31st

Marty Owens, 678-617-5527

martyowens@bellsouth.net

Scott Crain, 770-540-4479

ScottCrain@hallco.org

Feb. 21, 2012 6:30pm-8:30pm Kennesaw

North Star Church

3413 Blue Springs Rd

Kennesaw, GA 30144                                                                    

RSVP by February 11th

Reda Fricks Vanness, 404-226-7524

rfricks@cobbcsb.com

Lisa Elrod

Lisaelrod123@bellsouth.net

 Please send to those in your network that you feel should be invited to the discussion.  If you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact Heidi Fernandez.

Sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Developmental Disabilities.  Presented by All About Developmental Disabilities

We are now accepting applications for the 2012 Partners in Policymaking Training

We are now accepting applications for our 2012 Partners in Policymaking class. Partners in Policymaking is an innovative leadership training opportunity designed to involve and empower people with developmental disabilities, parents of young children with disabilities and other family members. People with developmental disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities are the primary target groups of the Partners program.

Partners in Policymaking will be held March 23^rd-25^th and April 20^th-22^nd in Decatur, GA. The deadline to apply for this program is February 1^st, 2012. Each applicant is required to submit a one page letter of recommendation from a leader in your community. Scholarships are available for childcare, mileage, and personal supports.

Participants will hear from subject-matter experts on a variety of topics that relate to the issue of developmental disabilities. In March, participants will hear from Guy Caruso on the History of the Disability Movement as well as People First Language. We also have a speaker coming to talk about building accountability and commitment and Stacey Ramirez will be there to talk about Person Centered Planning.

If you are interested in becoming a leader in your community on disability issues, you should strongly consider becoming involved with Partners in Policymaking. You can access the online application here, and you may also contact Ryan Johnson at rjohnson@aadd.org with any questions. To read more about Partners, please visit our website.

SAVE THE DATE! Conversations that Matter

Save the Date

Conversations That Matter: Justice and Developmental

Disabilities

·                Meet with advocates and community leaders for a dialogue about individuals with developmental disabilities and the justice system.

·                Discuss current programs and practices in Georgia and your community and identify community-based alternatives to incarceration.

·                Receive updates on the NEW Georgia Crisis System.

Jan. 12, 2012 6:30pm-8:30pm Savannah

Jan. 26, 2012 6:30pm-8:30pm College Park

Feb.9, 2012 11:30am-1:30pm Gainesville

Feb. 21, 2012 – 6:30pm-8:30pm Kennesaw

Watch for news on locations and final details soon!

For more information please contact Heidi Fernandez hcf67@comcast.net

Sponsored by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Developmental Disabilities and Presented by All About Developmental Disabilities

Congratulations to Nandi Isaac!

Congratulations to Nandi Isaac of Macon for being named Buddy of the Year by Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta Oct. 19 at the Buddy Walk! Nandi has developed her own “micro-enterprise”  where as the sole proprietor, she preserves people’s documents, special photographs and other things that people want to save. Nandi lives independently with roommates. She works hard at her business to realize the American Dream of owning her own place in the future. Nandi, although legally blind, participates in ice skating, bowling, basketball skills, equestrian and sailing! A Global Messenger for SOGA, she travels with her mother speaking to groups about self-advocacy and sharing her inspirational story.

Adopt an AADD Family for the Holidays!

Betty is a single mother of four children who is living with a developmental disability. Before Betty came to AADD three years ago, she was unemployed and had lost her children to the court system. Today, with AADD's help, Betty has found a job at Kroger, is involved with AADD parenting support groups and has been reunited with her children. In her spare time, Betty enjoys spending time with her children, watching movies and going out to eat when she can.

Despite all of the positive changes in Betty's life, she does not have the resources to provide for her children during the holiday season. Betty is a caring mother who remains optimistic that her life will continue to change for the better. She dreams of one day owning a home and living independently with her children.

Betty's only holiday wish is to provide gifts for her children.  

AADD still has nine families who want to be adopted for the holiday season! You can help make holiday wishes come true for Betty and others like her through AADD's Annual Holiday Adopt a Family initiative. When you adopt an AADD family, you will give the gift of joy to some very deserving families living with developmental disabilities. Your donations of food, gift cards, clothing, toys and household essentials will create a holiday celebration that will be remembered for years to come.

Your support will help meet the basic needs of every family we serve for the holiday season. It is only through the generosity of people like you that we can make this happen. To learn how you can sponsor one of the amazing families AADD is proud to serve, please contact Suzie Fatkin at suzie@aadd.org or (404) 881-9777 extension 205.

Advocating For Your Child's Education

We currently have 19 boxes of Jean Estes’ book Advocating For Your Child’s Education at our office. We have them in both English and Spanish versions. If you would like to reserve and pick up a couple of boxes, please let Ryan Johnson know so he can set them aside for you to pick them up.

To contact Ryan Johnson, you can email him at rjohnson@aadd.org or call him at 404-881-9777 ext. 217

Adopt an AADD Family for the Holidays!

Tara is a single mother of three children who is living with a developmental disability.  Before Tara came to AADD four years ago, she was homeless, using drugs and living with the pain of sickle cell anemia.  Today, with AADD's help, Tara has moved into an apartment, receives SSI (Supplemental Security Income), is involved with WAVE (Women Against Violence and Exploitation) and AADD parenting support groups.  She has been drug-free for four years.  In her spare time, Tara enjoys spending time with her children, attending church services, watching movies and going out to eat when she can.

Despite all of the positive changes in Tara's life, she is still unemployed and does not have the resources to provide for her children during the holiday season.  Tara is a sweet mother who remains optimistic that her life will continue to change for the better.  She dreams of learning to become a better reader and going to college.

Tara's only holiday wish is to provide gifts for her children.

AADD still has 14 families who need to be adopted for the holiday season!  You can help make holiday wishes come true for Tara and others like her through AADD's Annual Holiday Adopt a Family initiative. When you adopt an AADD family, you will give the gift of joy to some very deserving families living with developmental disabilities. Your donations of food, gift cards, clothing, toys and household essentials will create a holiday celebration that will be remembered for years to come.

With your support, we can help meet the basic needs of every family we serve for the holiday season. It is only through the generosity of people like you we can make this happen. To learn how you can sponsor one of the amazing families AADD is proud to serve, please contact Suzie Fatkin at (404) 881-9777 extension 205.

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities
Frank E. Shelp, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner
Beverly D. Rollins, M.P.A., Assistant Commissioner
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Two Peachtree Street NW, Suite 22.210, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142 Telephone: 404-463-8037

TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT

FY12 DD NOW and COMP Waiver Series: Financial Support Services Training

This training is designed to enhance the attendees’ knowledge and understanding of Financial Support Services (FSS) as required under the Participant Direction service delivery option for the NOW and COMP waivers. Attendees will be introduced to the current FSS provider and two (2) newly enrolled FSS providers for Georgia Waiver Programs. The intended audience is primarily for individuals/representatives who currently self-direct their NOW/COMP waivers services and for NOW/COMP waiver participants who may choose to self-direct services in the future. DD family members, Advocates, Support Coordinators and Planning List Administrators are welcome to attend but must register. This training series is NOT intended for existing and/or potential Medicaid PROVIDERS. This training series will be facilitated by Doris E. Johnson, M.P.P., Program Administrator for the Division of Developmental Disabilities. The presenters will be representatives from each of the three (3) Fiscal Agents currently enrolled to provide Financial Support Services (FSS): Acumen Fiscal Agent, LLC, ASI Works, Inc. and Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL). These sessions will be conducted in multiple locations throughout the state in November and December. Training will begin at 9:30am and end at 3:00pm; sign-in begins at 9:00 am.


For training dates and locations, please click here

AADD Volunteer Orientation

Do you want to make a difference in your community?  Are you passionate about helping others?  Do you enjoy having fun while doing good?

   

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we enthusiastically invite you to attend AADD's first volunteer orientation of the year!   

Orientation Details

November 8, 2011

1440 Dutch Valley Place Suite 200

Atlanta, GA 30324

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Please join us to learn more about the exciting volunteer opportunities available at AADD!  RSVP to Suzie Fatkin by Monday, November 7.