Message from Judy Mark, President, Disability Voices United
It's been a long five years, but we are thrilled that the Self-Determination Program will officially launch TODAY, October 1, 2018. Leaders of Disability Voices United fought hard for this game-changing law putting individuals with developmental disabilities directly in charge of the services and supports they receive. We are proud that our organization remains extremely active in efforts to put the law into effect:
- Five of our board members are critical participants of the Department of Developmental Services' (DDS) statewide workgroup and have been vocal advocates on every area of implementation;
- Our board members and Ambassadors sit on most of the 21 regional center Self-Determination Local Advisory Committees;
- We have been leading informational meetings and trainings throughout the state in English and Spanish to encourage individuals to sign up for the random selection;
- We have been monitoring the selection process to ensure that the initial individuals selected represent the diversity of each regional center area;
- Our organization successfully advocated for the state legislature to include important language in this year's budget prioritizing funding for participant and family training and person-centered planning.
As you can see, we've been extremely busy. And we have so much more in store to ensure that the Self-Determination Program is implemented well.
In the coming months, we will publish a book to inspire you to "think outside of the box" with concrete examples of real individuals called,
Profiles in Self-Determination.
We are also developing a website for participants and family members to share information and ask questions about the Self-Determination Program. In addition, we will be co-sponsoring independent facilitator trainings and a conference over the next year.
In the meantime, we wish all of you luck if you have applied to be part of the random selection. Below you will find a link to the DDS website where you can check to see if you've been selected. But no matter what happens, remember that the Self-Determination Program is open to
everyone
no later than June, 2021. If you are not selected today, please stay involved in self-determination!
To those of you lucky enough to be selected as participants for the phase-in period, CONGRATULATIONS! You have a great opportunity that thousands of others wanted, so make the most of it! You will have significant choice and control over your life now, but also great responsibility. We have suggestions below for some things you can do and think about if you've been selected.
Please stay in touch with us as your self-determination adventure begins. Any questions or concerns can be sent to [email protected].
We wish you great luck and we will be in touch again very soon.
Best wishes,
Judy