Maryland Partners in Policymaking

Learn More About Partners in Policymaking: Join Us for an Information Conference Call on September 24

Want to know more about the Partners in Policymaking Program? We will be hosting an applicant information conference call on Monday, September 24,2018 at 1 PM to go over the program and application, as well as answer any questions you may have. Please register for the conference call by contacting Kathy Swanson at The Arc Maryland by the email or phone number listed below:

Kathy Swanson

[email protected]

(410) 571-9320

About the Partners Program

Partners in Policymaking is a program that prepares parents of children with disabilities and adults with disabilities to be effective advocates at state and local levels. Over 30 states in the U.S. have a Partners program, including Maryland.

This year, The Arc Maryland is partnering with the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council to manage the state's 2019 Partners in Policymaking program. The program spans 10 sessions between January and September of 2019.

Each session will take deep dives into topics such as Legislation, Person-Centered Planning, Education, Employment, Housing, and more. Additionally, sessions will feature speakers from national, state, or local levels to teach class members how to influence policy and plan for a better future.

Becoming a Partner

Partners is about systems change - creating, working towards, and achieving a vision of shared values about people with disabilities. This change starts with you!

If you want to learn how to become a long-term agent of change in the community, or you know someone who does, Partners in Policymaking is an excellent way to achieve this.

We are looking for approximately 30 future leaders across the state, consisting of self advocates, parents, and family members of people with disabilities, to make up our 2019 Partners class. It is important that applicants can attend each of the 10 sessions. The 2019 Partners in Policymaking Schedule can be found below and on the application.

Apply for Maryland Partners in Policymaking by clicking the button below! The applications will be accepted until Sunday, October 21.

Partners of the Past

One of The Arc Maryland's own, Grace Pushparany Williams, Assistant Director of Public Policy and Partnerships, is a 2001 graduate of Partners. Grace had this to say about what the program meant to her:

"Partners in Policymaking educated and trained me in a special way to advocate not only for my twin daughters with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism and special health care needs, but for all people with disabilities. After Partners I made a career change to work for nonprofits whose mission and vision was to make a greater impact for those with special needs."

2019 Partners Schedule

Below is the schedule for Partners in Policymaking across 2019. It is important that participants attend all sessions for Partners.

All one and two-day sessions will take place in Columbia. During two-day sessions, participants will stay overnight.

The first event, Developmental Disabilities Day, will be in Annapolis, while the second event, The Arc Maryland State Convention, will be in Ellicott City.