One Week To Go Before the Close of Applications for PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING!

[Tony]

Urgent: One Week To Go Before the Close of Applications for PARTNERS
IN POLICYMAKING!

DEADLINE: January 16, 2008

There is only one week left to apply for the upcoming 2008 Partners In
Policymaking California. The deadline is January 16th, so if you know
someone who is motivated to become a great advocate for the
developmental disability community then make sure they apply before
it's too late (applicants must live in the Central Valley or Central
Coast areas).

We are in the planning stages right now and we are thrilled to
announce that our kick off session on March 14th & 15th in Bakersfield
will feature presentations given by two of the most well known women
in the field of developmental disabilities both nationally and
internationally, Colleen Wieck and Sue Swenson. Colleen Wieck is the
Director of the Minnesota State Council on Developmental Disabilities
and is the founding architect of Partners In Policymaking. She will
present on the history of disabilities in society, as well as the
history of Partners In Policymaking, which has now been in existence
for over twenty years and has been utilized internationally. Sue
Swenson is the former Executive Director of The Arc of the United
States and former Commissioner of The Administration on Developmental
Disabilities, and is herself a former graduate of Partners. She will
present on people first language as well as various aspects of the
disability movement.

Though the application process is very competitive don't let that stop
you from applying. Remember that our goal is to select a diverse
group of applicants from the many different experiences with
developmental disabilities. Most selected will be people with strong
commitment but limited experience. This is a life changing
opportunity, where you will make connections with people that could
last a lifetime. You will meet policymakers in California and many
innovators in disability public policy in the state and nation. The
entire program is provided at no cost to participants thanks to the
generous grant from the California State Council on Developmental
Disabilities.

Applications are online now on our webpage at: www.arccalifornia.org/PIPCC.
You can also contact Jordan Lindsey for more information at
1-800-698-6619 or jlin...@arccalifornia.org.

You can submit your application three ways:
1. A web based format,
2. Print it & fill in the questions or make copies for others who
might be interested (available in three languages Chinese, English,
and Spanish),
3. Fill out the form in MS Word and e-mail as an attachment.
(Regions covered for the Class of 2008 include the catchment areas of
San Andreas Regional Center, Valley Mountain Regional Center, Central
Valley Regional Center, Kern County Regional Center, and Tri-Counties
Regional Center - Area Boards 6-9)

Partners in Policymaking is presented by the California Collaborative
(The Arc of CA, the CA Association of Family Empowerment Centers, the
Family Resource Centers Network of CA, Family Voices of CA, and People
First of CA) and is available to adult self-advocates and parents of
school aged children with developmental disabilities.

Tony Anderson
Executive Director
The Arc of California
(916) 552-6619
www.ARCCALIFORNIA.org
"advocates for people with intellectual and all other developmental
disabilities since 1953."