Advocacy Development Committee
DRAFT MINUTES
Thursday, February 9, 2017
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Hilton Garden Inn, Cary, NC

Members Present: Karen Armstrong, Wendy Boyd, Eric Chavis, Mary Edwards, Jason Faircloth, Kelly Kimple [Alt. Danielle Matula], Nessie Siler, Deborah Zuver

Members Absent: Katie Holler, Rep. Verla Insko, Clare Shocket, Cheryl Powell,

Staff in Attendance: Melissa Swartz, Chris Egan, Yadira Vasquez, JoAnn Toomey

Guests: Robert Bradstock, Lauren Brochet, Bryce Coleman, Brandon Matthews, Devika Rao, Debby Torres, David Taylor, Jr., Judy Taylor, Ashanta – DSP

Welcome and Introductions:
Committee Chairperson Nessie Siler called the meeting to order, and welcomed all members.

Approval of Minutes:
Eric Chavis made a motion to approve the August, 2016 Advocacy Development Committee minutes. Mary Edwards seconded the motion. The motion was approved.

Initiative Update Americans with Disabilities Act Network Initiative:
Karen Hamilton, ADA Network Coordinator followed up the presentation provided to the full council. Ms. Hamilton offered clarifying information and responded to additional questions. Members discussed the initiative further.

Initiative Update First in Families of North Carolina (FIFNC) Sibling Support Initiative:
Project coordinator, Bryce Coleman provided a detailed update of the Sibling Support initiative, including the first NC Sibling Support Conference to be held in Carrboro on Saturday, March 25. Mr. Coleman provided clarifying answers to member’s questions. Members expressed how impressed they were by the initiative’s progress since September.

Initiative Update Inclusive Advocacy Leadership Development Initiative (IALD):
Lauren Brochet and Brandon Matthews, co-coordinators provided a detailed update of the of the NCCDD in-House Inclusive Advocacy Leadership Development Initiative (IALD). The two primary activities of the IALD are developing a NC Self-Advocate Collaborative and an Inclusive Leadership Curriculum.

Related to the first activity, self-advocate board members from NCCDD, Disability Rights North Carolina, and the Carolina Institute on Developmental Disabilities met on December 16, January 19, February 8 to advance the PATH strategic planning process. On February 8th, the group determined a name, the NC Empowerment Network, developed a draft mission statement, and began developing a vision statement. The self-advocates of the NC Empowerment Network will use a Doodle Poll to schedule a meeting in March where next steps, including participant expansion will be discussed.

Related to the second activity of the IALD initiative, Partners in Policymaking and Advancing Strong Leaders graduates, participants, mentors, and program staff engaged a facilitated question and answer panel to kick off exploration of an inclusive advocacy leadership training program. Panel participants will be invited to participate on a core steering committee to guide the exploration of an inclusive advocacy leadership training program that brings together self-advocates, parents, professionals, and mentors.

Nessie Siler, NC Empowerment participant, IALD co-coordinators, NCCDD staff Chris Egan and Melissa Swartz, and UNC CIDD staff, Deb Zuver offered additional clarifying information about the NC Empowerment Network. Panel member/Partners graduate Wendy Boyd offered additional clarifying information about an inclusive training program. Members discussed the initiative further.

Future Investments Discussion

With the IALD in it is planning year through September 30, the Advocacy Development Committee will primarily focus on emerging initiatives of the statewide self-Advocate collaborative and the inclusive leadership curriculum. After considering the remainder of the state plan goal 3 objectives, and discussion about El Pueblo, the DHHS Spanish Ombudsman, and El Centro, Eric Chavis made the motion to explore outreach to Latina/Latino communities per objective B. Mary Edwards seconded. The motion was approved.

Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn was made by Jason Faircloth. The motion was seconded by Mary Edwards. The motion was approved.