Public Policy Fellowship Program 2016 - The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Foundation, Washington, DC

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking exemplary professionals, and/or persons experiencing disability and/or family members of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are currently working or volunteering in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the Fellowship is to prepare both mid-career and more seasoned leaders to assume leadership in the public policy arena in their home state and/or nationally. During this one year Fellowship, the successful applicant will learn how federal legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by the Congress, as well as how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies.

Each year the Foundation brings talented and accomplished professionals, family members (many of whom are both professionals and family members) and persons experiencing disability to Washington, D.C. for a full year where they actively participate in public policy development in the offices of Members of Congress, Congressional committees, or federal agencies. Former Public Policy Fellows describe the Fellowship as a major turning point in their professional and personal lives; the experience is a unique chance to understand the intersection of public policy, disability advocacy, and the political process.

The coming year promises to be an exceptional opportunity to participate in the policy development process as it precedes an election year, and there will be a new Congress in January, 2017. There will be multiple issues before the Congress and the Administration that impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, communities and supportive organizations doing work with, and on behalf of, people with disabilities. Key legislation may include SSSI Trust Fund reallocation, efforts to reform SSI, and Work Incentives reform, Keeping All Students Safe Act, the Higher Education Act, the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, implementation of the Home and Community Based Setting rule, and many briefings and hearings, all related to improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Since its founding in 1946, the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation has supported the creation of practical programs to benefit persons with intellectual disabilities, their families and their communities. The Foundation has always worked with national leaders who understand the promise and realities of government. The need for skilled leadership in both government and public policy advocacy has never been greater. In response to this need, the Foundation initiated the Public Policy Fellowship Program in 1980. Fellows receive first-hand knowledge and experience in the development of public policy and the opportunity to participate in an advocacy training workshop, national disability policy seminars and other learning opportunities.

Successful applicants will have outstanding experience in:

1. State or national level advocacy for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families;
2. Practice, advocacy or research in health care, mental health care, employment, education, child care, child welfare, law, community organizing, financial management and financial issues impacting families, housing or development of inclusive community supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
3. Development of training programs for people with disabilities, families and communities and/or for the professionals who work with and for them;
4. Development or improvements of family support services, programs focused on increasing individual's control of resources and decisions impacting their lives, technology in support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and any other area of focus important to these Americans.

The successful applicant's background will include distinguished involvement in efforts to improve the lives of persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities at the regional, state or national level. The expectation is that fellows will become future leaders in the field of inclusive community supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After their year in Washington, it is expected that former Kennedy Fellows will make significant contributions to policy and program development in their home state or continue to advance their work on the national level.

The program provides a one-year full-time exposure to the federal public policy making process, and includes a stipend and modest relocation expenses. Selected fellows must be prepared to live in the Washington, DC area during their fellowship year and to devote themselves full-time to the fellowship. In addition, applicants have the opportunity to participate in the Intensive Bioethics Course offered at the Joseph P. and Rose F. Kennedy Institute of Bioethics at Georgetown University. For more information on this course go to http://kennedyinstitute.georgetown.edu/

Application process and guidelines:
Applicants should submit a letter of application between 2 to no more than 4 pages in length, single spaced in 12 point font with 1 inch margins, stating their background and history in the field of services and supports to people with intellectual disabilities, interests and accomplishments to date, as well as what they hope to do with the knowledge and experience gained from the fellowship. They should also attach either a résumé detailing their work and educational experience or a summary of their involvement in the field along with three letters of support from people familiar with their work. Applications should clearly show the candidate's name, address, telephone number(s), and e-mail address on the first page.

The sole method of application, letters and résumé submission is via an online system that can be found at http://www.aucd.org/app/jpkffellowship2015

Hard copies will not be accepted!

Letters of support should also be via a PDF file or a word file. A hard copy on letterhead with the supporter's signature must follow in the mail only if it has been sent in any format other than PDF or Word. Please make sure that each letter clearly specifies the candidate for which the letter is being submitted.

The application deadline for 2016 is October 31, 2015 by 5:00 P.M. EST

The Fellowship starting date will be negotiated with the successful applicant (s). The Foundation fellowship (s) will be awarded for the period January, 2016 through December, 2016.

Finalists will be invited to Washington in late fall 2015 to be interviewed by a distinguished panel of national Public Policy experts.

Should you have any questions please contact Steven M. Eidelman - [email protected]

Again, the applications will only be accepted online at:  http://www.aucd.org/app/jpkffellowship2015


Address letters of application to:
Public Policy Fellowship
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.
1133 19th Street NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20036