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United for CHOICE!. Presented by Robin Kennedy, Director of Agency Relations,. It all starts with an inspiring GOAL :. To advance advocacy and outreach: Engage our stakeholders - persons with disabilities, family members and community members.
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United for CHOICE! Presented by Robin Kennedy, Director of Agency Relations,
It all starts with an inspiring GOAL: To advance advocacy and outreach: • Engage our stakeholders - persons with disabilities, family members and community members. • Establish a sustainable structure with a purpose.
Our Assets: • Invested stakeholders: consumer council, well developed communication practices from agency, engaged community. • Strong and knowledgeable state association: RFW In Action, Wisconsin • Organizational commitment: from agency Board of Directors and President for investment of staff, budget allocation and time for development and ongoing implementation.
Our Challenges: • Lack of structure: many invested people – how to bring them together? • Difficult to sustain: one time initiatives very successful, but always a challenge to keep it going. • Many voices, no consistent message for all: very committed people, but lacking a consistent message.
Our Needs: • Create a structure that is organized, purposeful and sustaining. • Engage our invested stake holders. • Implement at a state level and national level.
The PLAN: Objective 1 – Create the structure: 1. Define a mission that is uniting 2. Provide options for involvement – the 3 As 3. Establish a model, agendas, process Objective 2 – Engage Stakeholders: 1. Review internal and external stakeholders 2. Consider individual interest level and history of involvement 3. Invite to orientation meeting Objective 3 – Implement the plan: 1. Establish local Team – guidelines/schedule/agendas/minutes 2. Follow through – recognize successes 3. Expand throughout the state
The Result: A TEAM! MISSION: To ignite the passion and energy of persons with disabilities and their families……. • to advocate in a grassroots efforts • create awareness in the community • advise those who care for our citizens with special needs to ensure service choices are protected and sustained.
What makes an A TEAM? The 3 As : ADVOCACY: Organize efforts to promote the rights of individuals with disabilities. • Legislative meetings/communications • Visit the Capitol • Action Alerts • Petition drives
What makes an A TEAM? The 3 As: AWARENESS: • Promote the accomplishments and everyday challenges overcome by persons with disabilities and their family members to ensure their authentic stories are shared throughout the community. • Social Media • Video Testimonials • Radio Promotion
What makes an A TEAM? The 3 As : ADVISEMENT: • Provide peer support and organizational feedback to meet the current and future needs of persons with disabilities. • Establish a Grassroots Advocacy Website • Network, fellowship, community involvement • Team meetings, state association events, forums
A TEAM Wisconsin! • 9 Chapters (14 Rehab Organizations collaborating) • Committed to A TEAM Guidelines - one voice! • State wide Network – social media, conference calls, and annual events
Our A TEAM Success: Wisconsin • 3 DAY at the CAPITOL events: over 75 legislative visits – welcome presentations 2014 and 2015 from Lt. Governor of Wisconsin • State Petition Campaigns over 6000 signatures • Established My Work. My Choice. Campaign: engaged self-advocates to promote their choices for work, home and life in a positive and simple way. Theme song. • State wide Grassroots event over 400 united. National advocate Evelyne Villines. • Federal legislator letter writing campaign/post card campaign over 3000. • Voice your Choice Tour – 11 stops, over 700 rallied, nearly 3000 voices to DHS. Over the road public relations with A TEAM Mobile Unit. • MacIver Institute Promotion and Partnership • Over 50 Legislative Tours across the state My Work. My Choice. • Big Win!!! Wisconsin DHS commitment to protecting a full array of choices in the state – official letter to Center for Medicaid Services. • http://ateamwisconsin.org
A TEAM Success: Next Steps • National expansion – A TEAM Nevada! • Excitement growing around the country – model fits within non-profit structure, ensures sustainability • Tool Kit/Webinar – to be released this year • Pursuit for financial support – foundation/other • Building partnership Source America/ACCSES
Thank you! “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller For more information on the A TEAM , please join us at the Continental Breakfast 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM Tuesday, January 13th 2015 www.ateamwisconsin.org