Posted by Jim Lockwood on July 10, 2009 under Advocacy Resources, General Information | 
Here are some steps to follow when planning to visit your state Senator or Assemblymember in Sacramento:
- Find out who is your state Senator and Assemblymember. Visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and enter your zip code. Be sure to print out the page or write down the information.
- Decide when you would like to visit and what you want to speak about. It is important to know what you want to say to the representative and what action you want them to take.
- Call the representative’s capitol office in Sacramento. You got the phone number in step one. Ask to speak to the person who schedules visits for the representative.
- Explain the purpose of your visit and when you would like to make the visit. Explain that if the representative is not available, you would like to speak to the staff person who handles disability issues.
- You will often be asked to fax or email a letter requesting the meeting. If so, send a simple letter such as this sample – SAMPLE LETTER.
- Call back in a couple days to see if a meeting can be scheduled.
Other suggestions for your visit:
- If you are representing a family member, take a photo with you and a copy to leave with the representative or their staff.
- Take a camera to get a picture of the visit.
- Be at their office 5 minutes early for the meeting.
- Write a thank you letter after the visit, and remind the representative or staff member of your issue and your availability if they have future questions.
Posted by Jim Lockwood on June 5, 2009 under General Information, PIPCA News |
Social media, fueled by the Internet, is gaining popularity as a quick and easy way to share information. Partners in Policymaking California, like many other advocacy organizations, recognizes the importance of getting out information quickly. That is why we have started a Twitter account to share news as it happens. Twitter is an Internet based, social media that publishes short announcements from it’s users.
We will be using Twitter to keep our Twitter followers informed of important news events, advocacy opportunities and updates on the current Partners in Policymaking training. Given the universal restriction of no more than 140 characters, our messages (tweets, as they are called) will be brief and to the point. We will often include links to other websites where the reader can get even more information.
If you are interested in following us on Twitter,just visit us at Twitter.com/PIPCA. If you don’t have an account, you can go to Twitter.com and sign up. It only takes a couple minutes to get your free account. You will also find our tweets under PIPCA Twitters right here, on our website. Just look at the last entry in the right hand column for our latest tweet.
Help us spread that news. Invite your friends to find us on Twitter by searching for PIPCA or give them the link above.
Posted by Jim Lockwood on April 9, 2009 under General Information |
Nine years ago KCET aired a one-hour documentary titled “We are Hear to Speak for Justice” that told the story of the effort to change California developmental services and create the Regional Center system that exists today. The film introduces us to family members and individuals who, through relentless advocacy, were able to change an entire system and create a service delivery model that respects the needs and dignity of those it serves.
The film was produced and directed by award winning filmmaker Theodore Braun, senior lecturer at USC’s School of Cinema-Television. It was made through a partnership between Union Bank of California, Lanterman, Golden Gate and Harbor Regional Centers, and The University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television.
Unfortunately, the video that has been available for purchase in the past is not currently being sold. However, the Lanterman Regional Center has just recently made the video available for free online. To view the video online, visit http://www.lanterman.org/video_werehere.html. The streaming video is just over an hour long.
Posted by Jim Lockwood on December 5, 2008 under General Information |
Partners in Policymaking is an innovative, competency based leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities focused on “teaching best practices in disability, and the competencies of influencing public officials.”
History
The first Partners in Policymaking program was presented in Minnesota over twenty years ago by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. The program was designed to be a ground-breaking, innovative training program to teach parents and self-advocates the power of advocacy to change the way people with disabilities are supported, viewed, taught, live and work. During the past two decades more than 15,000 Partners graduates have become a part of the growing national and international network of community leaders serving on policy making committees, commissions, and boards at all levels of government.
Partners in Policymaking California
In 2006 the California Collaborative was awarded a grant from the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities to replicate the Partners in Policymaking leadership training program in California. It had been more than ten years since there had been a Partners in Policymaking training in the state. In 2007, more than 36 participants graduated from the training held in Sacramento for residents of Northern California. In 2008, a class of similar size graduated in Bakersfield and included participants from the Central California region. In 2009, Partners in Policymaking California will be in Los Angeles County for residents of that county.
In California, the Partners in Policymaking curriculum is adapted to include California specific public policy developmental services information in the context of our state government, legislation, statewide organizations and associations, the advocacy community, and other important California resources. The sessions will include:
- History of Disability Awareness, Services, and Advocacy,
- Inclusive Education,
- Service Coordination by Local Governments/Regional Centers,
- Assistive Technology and Positioning,
- Community Organizing and Advocacy,
- State Government and State Legislation,
- Supported and Competitive Employment,
- Supported and Independent Living,
- Federal Government and Federal Legislation, and
- Parliamentary Procedure and Serving on Boards.
All topics will be covered during eight weekend sessions, one each month for eight months, culminating in a formal graduation involving legislators, family and important community representatives. Sessions will typically occur each month beginning on a Friday afternoon and finishing on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning. It is expected that each trainee participate in approximately 130 hours of education and hands-on exercises. One such exercise includes giving testimony at a mock hearing held at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
Training Expenses
The Partners in Policymaking California will pay for each participant’s expenses including travel (mileage reimbursement or actual transportation cost), lodging, meals, childcare and assistance. Program participants stay connected through the Internet and the Partners email listserv. Assistance is provided to anyone who is not currently using email or the Internet.
Training during the eight month program is provided by local, state and national experts brought in to provide leadership training and guidance. Again, there is no cost to the participants for the training or associated expenses.
The California Collaborative
Partners in Policymaking California is overseen by a committee of representatives from several state associations. This committee is referred to as the California Collaborative, or just the Collaborative. The members of the Collaborative are:
For more information, contact Jim Lockwood at jim(a)pipcalifornia.org or 1-800-698-6619.
