Annual report / Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

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G O V E R N O R' S C O U N C I L O N D E V E L O P M E N TA L D I S A B I L I T I E S

Hope Fulfilled

LETTER FROM THE COUNCIL CHAIR
Dear Friends and Colleagues: On behalf of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, I am pleased to present the Council's 2004 Annual Report. about the public transportation options that are currently available and those that will be available in the future. The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities looks forward to continuing to serve you by supporting projects and programs that enhance the self-determination, independence and choices of individuals with developmental disabilities across the state of Arizona. Moving forward, the Council has, with the assistance of several partner organizations, embarked upon the establishment of a statewide self-advocacy coalition run by and for people with developmental disabilities as well as the development of a database and website containing detailed information about the accessibility of apartments around Arizona. If you or your friends are interested in becoming involved in any of these exciting opportunities, please let us know. Sincerely, Matthew Wangeman Council Chair

HUMMINGBIRD FEEDING

As the report demonstrates, the Council has been very busy over the course of the last year. Council efforts assisted a record number of family members and students to obtain information on how to advocate for special education services, provided nearly 4,000 Arizonans with information on the legal options available to individuals with developmental disabilities when they reach the age of 18, and funded over 50 people to attend conferences, workshops, and seminars aimed at enhancing their leadership skills. In addition, the Council played an integral role in improving transportation services for people living in and around the Valley of the Sun through its sponsorship of two summits aimed at providing people with disabilities with information

About the Council
by Jennifer K. White
The mission of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities is to bring together persons with disabilities, their families and other community members, to protect rights, eliminate barriers, and jointly promote equal opportunities. This is achieved through a philosophy of self-determination with increased options through statewide planning, advocacy, monitoring and community action for public policy change. The Council seeks to ensure the adequate provision of services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members through statewide planning that incorporates advocacy, systems changes and capacity building. Twenty-five members serve on the Council and include:   Individuals with developmental disabilities   Family members of individuals with developmental disabilities   Individuals who represent the agencies that serve persons with developmental disabilities in Arizona.

EMPLOYMENT
Program Opens Up World of Work
Through a grant from the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, four individuals were provided the opportunity to participate in an internship program sponsored by the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Frank, Michael, Madeline and David worked 6-10 hours per month and assisted with garden maintenance, greenhouse tasks and various activities conducted on-site and in the community. Participants gained work-readiness skills as well as valuable career exploration experience. In the process of completing the program, they also developed solid job references to assist them in their future endeavors. Tucson Botanical Gardens' staff spent time with Frank, Michael, Madeline and David and helped them to identify tasks that were compatible with their individual talents. In addition, participants were provided with opportunities to discuss and explore various work-related issues, including: timeliness, effective communication, working in teams and overall work-performance. The interns were paid for their work at the Gardens and received raises based on achievement of goals or significant accomplishments. There were notable outcomes for the Gardens as well, as the organization gained significant insight into the importance of not discounting the skills and talents of individuals with developmental disabilities. According to the program's administrator, this program was definitely a "win/win" situation for all involved   the interns, the organization and the community!

E D U C AT I O N

Advocates Just a Phone Call Away
More than 1,600 Arizonans throughout the state received one-to-one advocacy assistance on special education issues as a result of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities' support of a hotline, staffed by the Arizona Center for Disability Law, aimed at addressing the concerns of individuals with disabilities and their family members. Four days a week, trained advocates answered families' questions regarding special education services and the law. In addition, a Spanish-speaking special education advocate was available one day a week. Advocates provided families with information on their rights and strategies for addressing their child's needs within their school district, while also equipping them with the tools needed to continue to ensure their child's success in the educational setting.

Training Opens Doors for Families and Community Advocates
The Council also sponsored a series of advanced advocacy trainings in the area of special education throughout the year. Trainings were conducted in Bullhead City, Phoenix, Globe, Sierra Vista, Coolidge, Tempe, Benson, Flagstaff and Yuma. Nearly 160 people were provided valuable information on the rights, roles and responsibilities of students with disabilities, many of which agreed to assist other families in advocating for special education services. Attendees received information on a myriad of topics, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the development of an effective individualized educational program (IEP), educational transition, extended school year services, disciplinary action, independent educational evaluations and useful tools for ensuring that students with disabilities receive the services they need in order to meet their educational goals.

S E L F A D V O C A C Y, FA M I LY A D V O C A C Y
Guides Provide Important Information on Planning for the Future

C O M M U N I T Y S U P P O RTS

"I Can Do That" Conference Provides Food for Thought and Fun
Sierra Vista, Arizona was the place to be in early June. The District VI Advisory Council's annual conference was held at the Windemere Hotel with over 400 people in attendance. Self-advocates from across the state came to the conference to learn about relationships, safety and advocacy. Randall Howe, the 2004 chair of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, was the keynote speaker at the conference. In addition to the informational sessions that were offered, attendees could participate in a pool tournament, golf clinic, karaoke, and arts and crafts. The event concluded with a Hawaiian-themed awards banquet and dance, giving everyone a chance to celebrate another successful year of the District VI conference, planned by and for persons with developmental disabilities.

Council Supports Efforts of Family to Get Involved
Kurt and Katie Kimball, along with their son, Jack, participated in the Williams Syndrome Association National Convention in July. Thanks to support from the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Kimballs were able to join with 400 families to learn more about Williams Syndrome and the impact that this rare genetic condition can have. Kurt and Katie obtained critical information on genetic research, cardiology, developmental issues, related health issues, and strategies for obtaining the services that their son Jack may need over the course of his life. In addition, they were able to participate in a question and answer session with adults who have Williams Syndrome and hear about their experiences navigating the world and learning to live independently with their disability. In the Kimballs' own words, "The conference was very informative. It provided us with more knowledge than we could have imagined!"

In response to a tremendous need for information aimed at assisting individuals with developmental disabilities and their families with futures planning, the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities funded the production and dissemination of a Legal Options Manual and an Emergency Planning Guide. Nearly 4,000 Legal Options Manuals were disseminated in 2004, containing information about the various legal options, including special needs trusts, power of attorney and guardianship, available to individuals with developmental disabilities when they turn 18. Approximately 2,000 Emergency Planning Guides, containing information on how to plan for emergency situations, were distributed to families and individuals with disabilities around the state as well.

Council Works with Others to Promote Transportation Options and Activism
The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities worked closely with a coalition of disability advocacy organizations to sponsor two summits on transportation aimed at educating the community about public transportation options that are currently available as well as enhancements that may be offered in future years. The summits provided individuals with disabilities with important information on how they can get involved in advocating for improved public transportation, both in the Valley of the Sun and throughout the state of Arizona.

C O M M U N I T Y S U P P O RTS
After several visits and telephone conversations, Kathy asked Midge to help her plan for Craig's future after she was gone. Midge worked closely with Kathy and Craig for several weeks to establish a trust and a bank account for Craig and help him prepare for some of the changes that were about to take place.

F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 0 4 F I N A N C I A L STAT E M E N T
Reporting Year Revenue and Expenditures

$ 1,394,867 $ $ $ $ $ 125,138 186,377 3,000 33,963 36,963

Total Revenue Employment Education Housing Recreation Transportation Self-Advocacy Community Support Total Project Expenditures Administrative Functions Total Expenditures

A Life-Planning Success
Craig Tyron is a 53-year-old man with mosaic Down Syndrome. Until recently, he lived in Arizona with his mother. His father was deceased and he had no siblings. In 2004, Craig's mother found out that she was dying of cancer. Craig wanted to know what he would do when she was gone. Fortunately, he connected with one of the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities' district advisory councils. Margaret "Midge" White, Director of the Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities Serving Maricopa County, responded to Craig's request for assistance. She met Craig and his mother for the first time at their favorite spot, the Ruby Tuesday's restaurant at MetroCenter in Phoenix. Midge talked with Craig and his mother, Kathy, and learned a little more about them, their situation and Craig's desire to eventually go back to Chicago.

Kathy ultimately passed away in June. Craig was with her; Midge arrived shortly thereafter. Craig called some close friends and, with Midge's help, made arrangements for a pastor to come to administer the last rites. At 6 p.m. that evening, Craig said good-bye to his mother. Over the course of the next month, Midge worked directly with Craig to get everything in order so he could move back to Chicago. She assisted him in finding an apartment and in connecting him with resources in Illinois that would be of help to him once he made the move. Today, Craig is back in Chicago, close to many of his long time family and friends, thanks in no small part to the tremendous help of Midge and her team at the Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities Serving Maricopa County.

$ 326,399 $ 237,404 $ 949,244 $ 445,623 $ 1,394,867

COUNCIL MEMBERS
Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities 2005 Council Members
Matthew Wangeman, Chair Glendale, Arizona Greg Gadarian Vice Chair Tucson, Arizona John Black Phoenix, Arizona Rich Carroll Flagstaff, Arizona Leslie Cohen Tucson, Arizona James Gannon Tempe, Arizona Cari Gerchick Phoenix, Arizona Art Gode Kingman, Arizona Jon Hinz Apache Junction, Arizona Patricia Jones Phoenix, Arizona Sheree Lloyd Phoenix, Arizona Scott McClung Flagstaff, Arizona Art Meza Phoenix, Arizona Steve Mishlove Phoenix, Arizona Sandra Perez Phoenix, Arizona Jill Ryan Phoenix, Arizona Dolores Sanchez Phoenix, Arizona Jackleen Spore Phoenix, Arizona Joann Steinman Phoenix, Arizona Paul F Suedkamp . Tucson, Arizona Beatriz Valera Nogales, Arizona Ric Zaharia, Phoenix, Arizona

Governor 's Council on Developmental Disabilities Staff
Jami Snyder Executive Director Cynthia Gafford Contracts Manager Dara Johnson Planner Teresa Moore Self-Advocacy Coalition Coordinator Sue Miller Administrative Assistant Valeria Hill Administrative Secretary

G O V E R N O R' S C O U N C I L O N D E V E L O P M E N TA L D I S A B I L I T I E S

3839 North Third Street, Suite 306 Phoenix, Arizona 85012 602-277-4986 (voice) 602-277-4949 (TTY) 1-866-771-9378 (toll free) 602-277-4454 (fax) www.azgcdd.org