Partners Comunity Advisory Committee

2011

The Community AdVisory Committee (CAC) of Partners has been active in the development and reviews of Partners CORE grant applications. Members of the committee participate in a priority establishing activity for input into what activities to expand and what activities need to be added. This has resulted in a current effort to look at transportation, housing and assistive technology issues within the state. The Community Advisory Committee through the work of three sub committees, Community Life, Systems Change and Prevention and Health, provides recommendations and input into not only the CORE grant but into other projects and activities of the agency. These recommendations are utilized in a large percentage of Partners grants and projects. If recommendations are not used then dialog occurs with the committee regarding the reasons for this. This interchange of communication is the foundation for the efforts.The CAC in 2001 decided that at least one meeting per year be conducted in a rural part of the state. This would consist of a business meeting followed by a public forum to educate about Partners for Inclusive Communities and to solicit additional family/individuals with disabilities input regarding the needs of the state. Over the past several years these meetings have been held in Russellville, Arkadelphia, West Memphis, Helena, Camden, and Batesville. The West Memphis meeting also consisted of a joint business meeting with the Consumer Committee of the UCEDD in Tennessee, the Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities. This was an effort to learn more about each others programs, collaborate across agencies and state lines. Among projects initiated by the CAC is Arkansas Can Do, Inc., formerly Arkansas Can Do Campaign Committee,a statewide multimedia campaign designed to increase the positive perceptions of all people regarding the vitality, importance and value of persons with disabilities. This campaign over the years has expanded its membership and scope. What originated as a goal of the consumer committee has developed into a statewide multimedia campaign consisting of educational workshops on people-first language, disability etiquette and educational materials. Public service announcements were filmed and air on local television channels. T-shirts, posters, displays, bookmarks, stickers and brochures have been developed and distributed. This campaign expanded and continues today as a separate group of even more individuals with disabilities and representatives from 17 agencies, divisions and organizations.

Consumer, Advisory, Committee

Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Housing-Related Activities, Transportation-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban

State

N/A