Resources for Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) Orientation Project

1. Resources for Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC)Orientation Project Project developed by Laura Walker, 2006 AUCD Policy Fellow This project was funded in part by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) under Contract #HHSP23320110016YC to the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. The content of this material does not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. No official support or endorsement by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is intended nor should be inferred.

2. What was the purpose of the project? • The purpose was to develop orientation resources for CACs • The result was the CACOrientation Curriculum, which includes both • New materials • Existing resources

3. What processes were used to develop & validate the materials? • Formed an Advisory Workgroup • Reviewed existing materials: • The 1995 AAUAP Consumer Council Orientation Manual • CAC orientation resources currently in use across the UCEDD network • Gathered additional information: • COCA • Advisory Workgroup • 2006 Directors Retreat attendees • Workshop attendees at the 2006 SABE Conference • Identified/validated promising practices with Advisory Workgroup • Obtained Advisory Workgroup feedback on materials developed for project • Conducted focus groups on the materials with two CACs • Conducted evaluative workshop at AUCD Annual Meeting • Incorporated feedback from focus groups and workshop • Provided materials to AIDD • Incorporated feedback from AIDD • Submitted materials to additional, outside reviewers

4. How is the CAC Orientation Curriculum structured? • 5 modules, each containing slides and an instructor’s manual • Appendices (readings, handouts) • Designed to be customized by individual UCEDDs • Pick and choose which modules or elements of modules to use • Add additional material into the slides, manual, or handouts

5. Overview of Each Module

6. Module I: The Basics: UCEDDs and the CAC • The goal of this module is to give new and existing CAC members an understanding of their role within e larger context of the UCEDD and the UCEDD network. • Content Covered: • The DD Act • DD Act Programs • The State DD Network • The CAC

7. Module II: How are UCEDDs Connected? • The goal of this module is to give CAC members an understanding of how UCEDDs are connected at the national level. • Content Covered: • Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) • Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) • AUCD’s Council on Community Advocacy (COCA)

8. Module III: Orientation to the UCEDD • The goal of this module is to give new and existing CAC members an understanding of your UCEDD and their role in providing input into the UCEDD’s 5 Year Plan. • Content Covered: • Orientation to the UCEDD • Core Functions • Areas of Emphasis • The 5-Year Plan • Communication with the CAC

9. Module IV: The Advocacy Continuum Exercise The goal of this module is to give new and existing CAC members a clear understanding of their role in advising the UCEDD.

10. Module V: CAC Development Tools • The goal of this module is to facilitate a discussion around strategies to enhance the work of your CAC through organizational tools and recruitment and retention ideas. • Content Covered: • Organizational tools for the CAC • Recruitment and Retention Strategies • Welcoming New CAC Members

11. Next Steps • You will be sent a brief survey on this presentation • The materials will be posted online • We encourage you to • Provide your feedback on the materials • Share additional materials or resources • Questions? Tanisha Clarke tclarke@aucd.org