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Objective 1: SUFU will educate legislators on the impact of budget cuts and other issues important to people with developmental disabilities through testifying and letter writing on at least three different occasions, by June 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- A letter written to the appropriations committee
Second Quarter
- Seven self-advocates stood before the Appropriations committee to educate them on the negative impact the supplemental budget, as proposed, (LD 1671) would have on their lives
- A Jan 12 rally at the statehouse was attended by over 100 self-advocates who were speaking out on the affects of proposed budget cuts
- The Lincoln local group, ‘Missing Lynx’ wrote a letter to Representative Gifford to educate him on the challenges budget cuts pose for people with developmental disabilities.
Objective 2: SUFU will help 45 members to attend Disability Advocacy Day and 10 members to participate in Disability Awareness Day, by June 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- SUFU shared Disability Advocacy Day information by asking DHHS’ Training Coordinators and MACSP’s Lou Dyer to disseminate flyers to their agency contacts. We also e-mailed individual agencies and distributed flyers at local groups and events, where self-advocates were gathered. In addition, Disability Advocacy Day information is posted on SUFU’s website.
Second Quarter
- Sixty six self-advocates and supporters attended Disability Advocacy Day in the months of Jan, Feb, and March.
- Disability Awareness Day was cancelled this year.
Objective 3: SUFU will support local groups by assisting them to prepare for meetings with their local State Representatives. At least 5 local groups will invite their state legislator to a local group meeting, by September 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- All local groups have been encouraged to invite local representatives and have been made aware of offers by the MDDC and SUFU to help arrange and prepare for a visit.
- SUFU assisted the Portland group to prepare for Sen. Brannigan’s visit. The Senator attended the group meeting in December and together they talked about the current budget affairs and how, when and where self-advocates should approach legislators.
- The Lincoln local group, ‘Missing Lynx’ received a visit from Representative Gifford at their invitation.
Objective 4: SUFU will encourage, empower and educate self-advocates to vote in November by educating members on voting rights and issues important to the disability community, on at least five occasions where self-advocates are gathered, by October 31, 2010.
First Quarter
- 14 self-advocates and two staff persons were trained on Voting Rights and Procedures on Oct 26, 2009, in Lewiston
- Twenty self-advocates from the Springvale SUFU Group hosted a guest speaker to speak on TABOR II, on Oct 19, 2009.
Objective 1: SUFU will help self-advocates to create a document to assist councils, boards, committees, task forces and facilitators to make meetings more accessible and meaningful to self advocates, by June 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- SUFU sought help from CCIDS in creating an accessible meeting document.
Second Quarter
- SUFU is currently working with CCIDS on an accessible meetings document
Objective 2: SUFU will support at least ten self-advocates serving on councils, boards, committees to make a list of ideas and personal accommodations needed to ensure their meaningful participation in the group, by September 30, 2010.
Second Quarter
- Six self-advocates are currently working on a personal accommodations document to share with facilitators and committee chairs.
Objective 3: SUFU members will meet and work together with provider agencies to foster relationships and self-advocacy opportunities that may result in a seat at the table at four different provider agencies, by September 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- SUFU chair attends Excellence Committee meetings to share and obtain information with MACSP/Non MACSP members.
Second Quarter
- Ellsworth self-advocates are working on a goal to meet with a member of their agency’s board of Directors four times a year
- Officers met with MACSP in January, this resulted in a provider agency supporting one self-advocate to develop and tell his story about housing and budget changes to legislators
- Local group members are continually urged and supported to take an active role in the budget decision-making process at the agency level and to pursue a seat at the table at agency meetings.
Objective 4: SUFU will improve communication with provider agencies by identifying clear goals through meetings with service providers, including MACSP members and other providers, by meeting with them at least bi-monthly.
First Quarter
- Three self-advocates are participating in an ongoing conversation with MACSP members to share information and improve communication. The group did some brainstorming on how to support self-advocacy and looked at the barriers and possible solutions for participation in local meetings, on Oct 27th 2009.
- Members of the Excellence Committee were encouraged to support Advocacy Day and provide “seat at the table” within the agency for self advocacy leaders for input re: services provided by the agency and daily events.
Second Quarter
- Ellsworth self-advocates meet regularly with the Director of Downeast Horizons.
- SUFU officers met with MACSP members in January, the focus of this meeting was on upcoming state budget issues
Objective 5: SUFU members will share information with DHHS through newsletters, officers and Board of Director’s meetings. SUFU regional representatives will stay connected with DHHS representatives at the state and local level on at least 10 occasions, by September 30, 2010
First Quarter
- SUFU submitted 2 newsletter articles for publication in DHHS’ Region One newsletter.
- Four Region 3 DHHS representatives were invited and attended regional self advocacy conferences in Presque Isle and Bangor: Terry Sandusky, Juanita Goetz, Tracy Ayotte, Diane Smith and Peter Alexander.
- SUFU self-advocates wrote a letter at the statewide meeting to DHHS Director, Jane Gallivan, to share their concern over the lack of information about H1/N1, resulting in a conference call between SUFU members and Jane.
- Two self-advocates participated in the Look to the Future Group, a broad stakeholder group convened by the OACPD and Jane Gallivan; the group met monthly from Oct. – Dec., 2009. Stakeholders worked to identify services that worked well within the system, those that might work better if changed or improved and brainstormed about what future services might look like and how they would be delivered.
- Jane Gallivan explained the recommended budget cuts and supplemental budget cuts to eight self-advocates from around the state in a teleconference, Dec 29, 2009. Self-advocates were able to ask questions they had about how the cuts would affect future services.
Second Quarter
- Self advocates from southern Maine met with DHHS Region One leaders in February
- SUFU provided articles to DHHS Region One and Two newsletters in January, February, and March
- Self-advocates connected with DHHS leaders at the Open House held by the Augusta group in February
Objective 1: SUFU will seek the assistance from allies to apply for funding from at least two sources for at least six trainings on topics such as preventing H1N1, preventing exploitation/identity theft and emergency preparedness.
Second Quarter
- The DRC and SUFU were successful in their application for a grant to fund Project Vote; the grant is funded in part by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Trainers from the National Technical Assistance Center for Voting and Cognitive Access are coming to Maine in June to work with SUFU and the DRC for a three day train-the-trainer workshop.
Objective 2: SUFU will work with CCIDS and DHHS to share information on volunteering and employment through informational workshops and trainings on at least six occasions, by September 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- At the invitation of SUFU, CCIDS held workshops on volunteerism at the Lewiston, Brewer and Presque Isle regional SUFU conferences. In addition, SUFU distributed information about volunteer workshops presented by CCIDS and encouraged its members to attend the workshops held in Bangor, Augusta and Portland.
Objective 3: SUFU will work with NEAT (New England Advocates Together), SABE (Self Advocates Becoming Empowered) and other allies on at least three occasions on issues such as reauthorization of the DD Act, closing institutions, housing and removing the “R” word.
First Quarter
- Two self-advocates met with NEAT members in Sunapee, NH, and shared SUFU’s Emergency Preparedness training with them and signed a petition to close institutions.1 SUFU member gave a video-taped statement on the importance of keeping history alive to understand why institutions should be closed.
- Two self-advocates participated in a series of three national teleconference calls, sponsored by SABE, on Healthy Relationships, in Sept, Oct, and Nov.
Second Quarter
- SUFU submitted statements and photos for a national project on closing institutions, 2 local groups, 4 board members and 9 self-advocates gave statements about the importance of closing institutions
Objective 4: SUFU will work with educators to promote inclusion at schools through educating students, civil rights teams, and sharing personal stories on at least three occasions, by June 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- SUFU members approached Dir. Donna Richards, at the Cromwell Center, resulting in 2 recommendations for presentations on Disability Awareness—one at Cape Elizabeth Middle School in January and another at Elliot Middle School, in April.
Second Quarter
- In January, 3 self-advocates presented on Disability Awareness to 270 middle school students at Cape Elisabeth.
Objective 5: SUFU will participate in a project directed by the Disability Rights Center to produce an accessible rights manual, by September 30, 2010.
- Three SUFU self-advocates are collaborating on an on-going basis with the Disability Rights Center to produce such a manual.
Objective 1: SUFU will assist existing local groups with identifying and setting goals, obtaining resources, trainings, additional agency and community supports on at least 15 occasions, by September 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- SUFU supported the Springvale local group to obtain a guest speaker to speak on the TABOR II issue.
- SUFU supported a new group in Windham in identifying the interests of its members, in choosing its leaders, in setting goals and objectives and supplying information about advocacy days, trainings and advocacy opportunities at the local, state and nationwide level.
- SUFU provided updated state budget information and legislative happenings to many of its groups, but especially, upon request, to the Ellsworth group.
- SUFU assisted the Augusta group in the planning of an Open House event to increase its membership.
- SUFU supported the Portland group members in obtaining engagements for Disability Awareness Trainings in 2 schools.
- SUFU supported the Casco/Norway local group to receive the Happy, Health, Well training. Eighteen self-advocates and five staff were trained on good eating, exercise and personal habits on Oct 26, 2009.
Second Quarter
- SUFU supported Portland local group members to connect with the Maine Civil Rights office to present on respectful language during the Civil Rights Spring Conference.
- SUFU supported a member to give a presentation on self-advocacy to the Bangor area transition council Board of Directors.
Objective 2: SUFU will host three statewide meetings to provide opportunities for trainings, information sharing and networking.
First Quarter
- SUFU hosted 1 statewide meeting on Nov. 18th to 51 attendees to share information on the topic of H1/N1--prevention and pandemic planning. While presenters educated attendees about preventing the flu, little information on pandemic planning was available from statewide or national sources. That provided an opportunity for self-advocates to voice their concern in a letter to DHHS and to provider agencies, who are MACSP members. Meeting attendees also shared their frustration that nobody had educated them about the fact that people with developmental disabilities are in a higher risk group for contracting H1N1 flu.
Second Quarter
- SUFU held a statewide meeting to educate self-advocates on the Grievance and Appeals processes in March; 7 of the 46 people attending were new self-advocates and supporters.
Objective 3: SUFU will provide support for at least 2 regional events as an opportunity for self-advocates and supporters to network, to share information and to build membership, by September 30, 2010.
Objective 4: SUFU will host two self-advocacy conferences for at least 175 self-advocates and supporters to network, obtain training, hold elections, present awards and celebrate self advocacy, by December 31, 2009.
- SUFU held one conference in Brewer, with the theme: Stronger Together. 92 people attended. Of the following workshops offered, 33 people attended H1/N1; 26 Volunteerism; 11 TABOR II; 39 Happy, Healthy and Well and 17 Guardianship. Lu Zeph, the guest speaker, shared information on partnership projects between CCIDS and SUFU and about the ADA. Some attendees received rewards for their excellent contributions to self-advocacy during the year. Self-advocates voted for representatives to serve on the Board of Directors from among their peers. Finally, everyone enjoyed themselves at a karaoke and dance.
- SUFU held a conference in Presque Isle, with the Theme: It’s my Life, where 65 people attended. Of the following workshops offered, 20 people attended Rights-Meet Your Advocate, 25 participants H1/N1, 15 people Volunteerism and 7 TABOR II. Allies from the MDDC, the DRC, and CCIDS displayed informational materials, as did SUFU. Self-advocates selected Board members from among their peers, as well as recipients of the M.R. and Paige Barton Awards from among supporters of SUFU. The day ended with much fun at a dance to country music.
Objective 1: SUFU will offer membership to local self-advocacy groups and members on at least one occasion by Mar 30, 2010.
First Quarter
Membership offered:
- The Momentum local group in Windham
- Casco-Norway group
- Brunswick area local group
Second Quarter
Membership offered:
- Springvale local group
- Augusta local group
- Board of Directors
Objective 2: SUFU will offer membership at all SUFU hosted events.
First Quarter
- Brewer conference
- Presque Isle conference
- Statewide meeting in November
Second Quarter
- Statewide meeting in March
Objective 3: SUFU will provide membership opportunities, share information on trainings, resource library, website, goals, and their mission on at least five occasions at community or ally events, by September 30, 2010.
First Quarter
- SUFU shared information through a vendor table at the Maine Parent Federation Conference on Oct 2 & 3, 2009. As a direct result, the organization has been invited to do a workshop on Alternatives to Guardianship and Self-Advocacy at two separate transition events in the Bangor area.
Second Quarter
- SUFU shared information at the Augusta Open House meeting in Feb
- Bangor area Council on Transition Board of Directors in March
- SUFU shared information and offered membership to 110 attendees at Bangor Mission Transition
- SUFU shared information and offered membership to 40 students and support staff at Bridges Mission Transition in Fort Kent
- SUFU shared information and offered membership to 25 attendees at Houlton Mission Transition
Objective 4: SUFU will share organizational and self-advocacy information at multicultural events on at least two occasions by September 30, 2010.
Objective 5: SUFU will educate community members such as case workers, self-advocates, civic groups and others, about Speaking Up For Us and the importance of self-advocacy on at least three occasions, by September 30, 2010.
- Self advocates educated 33 caseworkers on the importance of self-advocacy and SUFU at Augusta in January
- Self advocates educated 26 caseworkers on the importance of self-advocacy and SUFU at Lewiston in January
- Self advocates educated 16 caseworkers on the importance of self-advocacy and SUFU at Rockland in March
Objective 1: SUFU regional Directors will improve their abilityto share the organizations’ mission, structure, goals, and responsibilities to its funders with legislators, allies and community members on at least four occasions, by September 30, 2010.
Objective 2: SUFU will provide training to all board members on the obligations of being representatives of Speaking Up For Us and their obligations to the organization as a Director, by December 31, 2009.
First quarter
- The board of Directors received one day long training in responsibilities as Directors on Nov 9, 2009.
Objective 3: SUFU will provide a one day officers training for the newly elected SUFU Executive Committee by December 31, 2009
- This goal has not been completed as of Dec 31. The combination of weather, technology, and transportation has delayed meeting this objective.
Second Quarter
- Two self advocates co-presented with an advocate from the DRC on Guardianship and Alternatives to Guardianship at the Transition Fair in Bangor
- Caseworker training on communication with self-advocates were well received in Augusta, Lewiston, and Rockland by state and community caseworkers. SUFU trainers shared barriers to communication with Caseworkers and Caseworkers had the opportunity to share the barriers they experience in communication with clients.
- Self-advocates have seats at the table on the DDC, Housing Coalition, the Consumer Advisory Board, Excellence Committee, and the CAC
- There were opportunities for interested self-advocates to become trainers and do their first presentations to students, youth and caseworkers.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Moulton