News: 2016 Gold Star Award

Jake Cornett, MA

December 7, 2016

The AUCD Gold Star Award is presented to a Capitol Hill staffer who exemplifies a true partnership in crafting strong public policy. This award recognizes the staffer for his/her efforts to obtain input from AUCD and the greater disability community to support AUCD's mission to advance policy and practice for and with people living with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.

Jake Cornett, MA

Senior Advisor
The Office of US Senator Patty Murray

In Recognition of Your Commitment to Strong Public Policy for People with Disabilities and their Families

"As a senior advisor for Senator Murray, Jake is responsible for disability, LGBT equality, and other civil rights policy across the jurisdiction of the HELP Committee. In this capacity, he was a lead negotiator for the recently enacted Every Student Succeeds Act, which was one of AUCD's highest policy priorities. . During these negotiations that took place over two Congresses and were, at times, very intense, Jake fought passionately and successfully to ensure that our educational system will still be held accountable for students with disabilities and that there will continue to be a cap on the use of alternate assessments for those with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Before joining Senator Murray's staff in 2011, Jake served as a fellow for the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation, a researcher and analyst in SRI International's Policy Division, Project Manager at the University of Kansas, and faculty and technical assistance provider to schools across the country. Jake also holds a master's degree in special education from the University of Kansas."