The Boggs Center (NJ UCEDD/LEND) Celebrates Graduation of New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2017-2018
May 7, 2018
|
The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities hosted a graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2017-2018. New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities and family members available through The Boggs Center with funding from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. This year's graduates included 7 self-advocates, 12 family members, and 1 family member/UCEDD Trainee prepared to work toward meaningful change in our state.
Colleen McLaughlin, The Boggs Center's Associate Director and Partners Project Director, welcomed graduates and invited guests, and provided an introduction to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking program. Deborah M. Spitalnik, PhD, Executive Director of The Boggs Center, delivered messages of inspiration, hope, and a charge to action as part of the event. The impact of the Partners program was addressed in remarks by Kevin Casey, Executive Director of the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) and Paul Blaustein, NJCDD Chair. Through panel presentations, this year's graduates shared what they learned in the program and their plans for advocacy after graduation.
To learn more about this year's graduates, their experiences over the past 8 months, and the impact of the Partners program, view the "Program Takeaways" video featuring the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2017-2018.
Congratulations to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2017-2018:
|
Michael Bertram |
Jodi Hawkswell |
Dria Law |
Tara Palamarik |
