The Boggs Center Celebrates Graduation of New Jersey Partners in Policymaking
Class of 2016-2017

 

On June 17, 2017, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities hosted a graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2016-2017. New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities and family members available through The Boggs Center with funding from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. This year’s graduates include 8 self-advocates and 12 family members prepared to work toward meaningful change in our state.

Deborah M. Spitalnik, PhD, Executive Director of The Boggs Center welcomed graduates, their guests, and representatives from state agencies and community organizations, and provided an introduction to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking program. The event featured reflections from a past Partners graduate, Stephanie Pratico, Chair of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD). Kevin Casey, Executive Director of NJCDD, addressed the importance of Partners in strengthening New Jersey’s advocacy network. Through panel presentations, this year’s graduates shared what they learned in the program and their plans for advocacy after graduation.

To learn more about this year’s graduates, their experiences over the past 8 months, and the impact of the Partners program, view the “Program Takeaways” video featuring the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2016-2017.

Congratulations to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2016-2017:

• Karen Antone	Scott Cohen	Maria Leary	Liz Reyes
  Ruth Beyer	Eli Danto	Lenya Morgan-Banner	Latoya Smith
  Myles Brakman	Brenda Figueroa	Adithya Muralidharan	Diana Stolfo
  Ginny Bryant	Joan Hocky	Alison Peck	Kelly Stout
  Dan Coggshall	Daniel Homan	Griselda Polanco Guzman	Derrick Williams

 

 

New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Now Accepting Applications for 2017!

Deadline: July 7, 2017

 

New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is an 8-month leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities (over 18) and family members available through The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities with funding from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities.

 

The goal of program is to prepare the next generation of disability advocates to work toward meaningful change in our state.  Participants selected for the program will learn about best practices and important areas for advocacy from nationally-known experts through a series of educational leadership development sessions held one weekend per month, beginning in September of this year and ending next April.

 

The Boggs Center is now accepting applications from people with developmental disabilities and family members interested in participating. Visit the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking page on The Boggs Center’s website to learn more about the program and how to apply.

 

Applications must be received by July 7, 2017, and applicants will be notified of acceptance by July 31 (contingent upon funding).