Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Advisory Members

The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is accepting applications from individuals with developmental disabilities who are interested in becoming Advisory Members of the Council. We will accept applications until December 1, 2009.

In January, 1998, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities created a membership category called advisory member. These are individuals with developmental disabilities and family members not appointed by the Governor to the Council but who are valuable in understanding the needs and issues in Georgia. Advisory members have a better understanding of how the Council operates and its mission. After having served a two-year term, advisory members are recommended to the Governor to serve as full Council members as openings became available. Like full Council members, advisory members are expected to attend Council and committee meetings, take responsibility and follow through on assignments, and open doors to communities that they participate in. Each member is expected to develop certain skills such as to learn more about local, state, and federal issues impacting people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Description of Advisory Membership:

1. The Council will accept up to six advisory members at any time.
2. Each advisory member will serve only one two-year term.
3. Advisory members are expected to attend quarterly Council meetings, participate on atleast one standing committee, and attend Council sponsored events.
4. Advisory members may participate in all discussions of committees and full Council butdo not have voting privilege.
5. Advisory members must follow the same standards and policies as Council membersincluding conflict of interest and travel policies.
6. Advisory members are entitled to travel and participate in all Council activities includingreimbursement for travel, childcare and personal assistance.
7. Advisory members may request funds to travel to events in Georgia or other parts of thecountry. These requests must receive approval from the Council Chairperson inconsultation with the Executive Director.
8. One Advisory member will be elected to serve on the Council's Executive Committee.

Council Member Attendance Policy

The Council recognizes the importance of members attending quarterly and committee meetings. Recognizing the importance of attendance, the Council's by-laws state that If a Council member is not in attendance at two successive official business meetings, the Executive Board may consider whether to request of that Council member his or her voluntary resignation from the Council.
1. The Chairperson will contact any individual who has missed two consecutive meetings and determine why the individual has missed meetings. The Chairperson will stress the importance of attending meetings and determine the individuals commitment to Council.
2. The Chairperson will send a follow-up letter to the individual emphasizing the importance of attending meetings and explaining the process for member removal if the individual continues to miss meetings. The Executive Board will receive a copy of this letter.
3. If the individual misses a third meeting, the Chairperson will call the individual and explain that he/she is in jeopardy of being removed from the Council.
4. The Chairperson will send a letter to the individual explaining that procedures will be taken to remove the individual from Council. At that time, the individual may request a meeting with the Executive Board to explain any circumstances for missing meetings.The Executive Board will determine whether to ask for the individuals resignation or request removal by the Governor. The Executive Board will receive a copy of all correspondence.

Please click on the link below to view and print application; you may also go to the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities website at gcdd.org, scroll down and click on the Advisory Member Application. No faxes will be accepted.

http://www.ciclt.net/ul/gcdd/ex-officio application.pdf

Fall 2007 Project List for Partners' Graduates

We are looking for highly enthusiastic Partners and Voices alumni who want to make a contribution and to give back to Georgia and their communities. We have close to 600 graduates from across Georgia, and we are always looking for ways to get graduates connected to opportunities to use and grow their advocacy and leadership skills.

The following is a list of opportunities that are open to graduates.

Crisis Intervention Team Training-
• A training for police on crisis intervention. In conjunction with the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI), AADD has been training police officers on issues related to Developmental Disabilities. The CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training presents police officers with information about developmental disabilities and describes ways to effectively interact with people of varying exceptionalities. The trainings describe the challenges that police officers often face and the challenges a person with a developmental disability could face. We are looking for additional trainers to conduct training sessions in an effort to reach more officers around the metro area. This issue is of great importance to our families and communities. Trainings are held in Atlanta. Contact Emily Severtson.

Unlock Volunteer at the Capitol to survey legislators during the 08 session
• This project would involve coming to the Georgia Capitol during the legislative session and conducting one to one surveys with legislators on disability issues. There would be short training by phone or one on one to prepare you. Contact Joe Sarra.

Attend Legislative day at the Capitol-
• This project is an Advocacy 201 project for advocates who are ready to move to the next level. Advocates would participate in a training by conference call and would come to the Capitol to meet one on one with their own legislator. We piloted this project last year and now want to open it up to more advocates. Contact Rita Young to register. We will take the first 50 participants to respond. We hold this event separate from Disability Day in order to be able to support participants. This event will be held in early February.

Justice and DD Coalition- GA Code project
• The Coalition is a collaborative effort of disability professionals, providers, judges, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, advocates, and individuals with developmental disabilities designed to encourage the fair treatment and access to equal justice for individuals with developmental disabilities. Graduates would assist the coalition to implement an initiative to change the GA Code using concepts of People First Language. Contact Dave Blanchard for more details.

Aging and DD trainer-
• Trainers are needed to increase community awareness of aging with developmental disabilities and to provide and support partnerships, sharing of resources and information to family members, providers, and local and state agencies. This would involve coming to one train the trainer event in Atlanta and then delivering one training to one of the twelve Area Agencies on Aging. Contact Rita Young for more information. Trainers would receive compensation for their time training ,and an application and resume would need to be submitted for consideration.

Independent Care Waiver Program Support-
• Graduates would be assisting as needed for home and community based services for the ICWP waiver. This could include supporting people to give testimony, distributing fact sheets and other information to legislators. Contact Pat Puckett.

Supporting the organizing committee of Long Road Home
• On June 22, 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the right of people with disabilities to live in their community through the Olmstead Decision. Each year, self-advocates and supporters have events to commemorate and show support for deinstitutionalization of people with disabilities. Contact Cheri Mitchell.

Start a self advocate network in your town-self advocates only
• Start a self advocate group in your community to meet, discuss and advocate for issues. Contact Kate Gainer.

Disability Day at the Capitol
• Be available to help the organizing committee of Disability day on February 21st as needed. Contact Kate Gainer for more information.

Start or join the a Navigator team in your county
• There are twenty six Navigator teams across the state of Georgia working within communities to support families of children with disabilities. Navigator teams were started a few years ago as a connection point for families looking for support and resources. Begin or join a chapter in your county by contacting marchia@parenttoparentofga.org