CT Council on Developmental Disabilities

July 21, 2010

DISABILITY POLICY SPECIALIST

The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities, located at 460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, is hiring a “Disability Policy Specialist” to begin on September 10, 2010. The position has a starting salary of $47,330 plus a full fringe benefits package. This is a full-time state position funded under the federal Developmental Disabilities Act. Parents who have children with developmental disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must be committed to, and willing to promote, the full and unconditional inclusion of people with disabilities, regardless of severity of disabilities, in valued roles and non-segregated environments in neighborhoods and communities.
The position is accountable for independently promoting public policy initiatives and performing a range of administrative office management and clerical duties in support of those initiatives. Duties include staffing Council committees, initiating and carrying out activities that promote Council objectives, writing reports, and making presentations.
Applicants must be familiar with computers, including word processing and spreadsheet software. Familiarity with database, desktop publishing and web page software is also desirable. Experience with Microsoft Office products in a PC environment preferred.
The Disability Policy Specialist will (1) establish a highly visible presence for the Council among state agencies and private organizations of people with disabilities and families of children with developmental disabilities, (2) maintain a high level of awareness of contemporary issues impacting the lives of Connecticut’s citizens with developmental disabilities and/or families, (3) keep the Council abreast of issues, activities, and agendas of other organizations, (4) make proposals for Council initiatives based on what is learned in the community, (5) promote the Council’s agenda, and (6) support the Council’s committees.

Examples of activities of the Disability Policy Specialist:
• prepare for, attend, speak, and listen at meetings of state agencies and private organizations of people with disabilities and families of children with developmental disabilities;
• design proposals for public policy change and Council initiatives;
• generate information about the Council and Council initiatives for dissemination among state agencies and private organizations of people with disabilities and families of children with developmental disabilities, and the public;
• participate in writing the State Plan on Developmental Disabilities, federally mandated progress reports, and other required documents;
• participate in answering general correspondence, e-mail and telephone calls;
• plan, organize and implement meetings.

Experience, knowledge, skills and abilities needed;
• Four (4) years of experience either as an employee or as a volunteer working with and organization(s) or advocacy group(s) involved in issues impacting the lives of individuals with disabilities and/or their families;
• personal experience as the parent of a child with developmental disabilities;
• extensive knowledge of the public policy issues impacting the lives of Connecticut citizens with disabilities and families of children with developmental disabilities;
• ability to independently make contacts with state agencies and private organizations of people with disabilities and families of children with developmental disabilities, arrange meetings with such entities, and prepare for such meetings, developing whatever presentations or written handouts that may be needed;
• communications skills – interpersonal, public presentations, and written;
• ability to work flexible hours to be available to attend meetings whenever they typically occur (days, evenings, weekends);
• ability to travel throughout the state.

This position is being advertised through Mid-August 2010. Interviews will be held during the week of August 23, 2010. Three (3) references and a writing sample will be requested for applicants chosen for interviews. The position begins on September 10, 2010.

Applicants should send a brief resume with a one-page cover letter to Edward T. Preneta, Director, CT Council on Developmental Disabilities, 460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106-1308, or e-mail to ed.preneta@CT.gov or fax to (860) 418-6003. Resumes and cover letters must be received by the Council Office no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 13, 2010. Further information about the Council can be found on the Council’s Web site at http://www.ct.gov/ctcdd

Posted by Ed Preneta at 10:59 AM | Comments (0)

Know The Warning Signs for Aversives, Restraint and Seclusion for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

• Does your child display challenging behaviors?
• Does your child have the ability to communicate what happens during their day?
• Has your child come home with unexplained marks or bruises?
• Has your child’s school sent an incident report or correspondence regarding “safety restraints” or “time out room” being employed during your child’s day?

What You Can Do to Protect Your Child

If you have seen the warning signs that aversives, restraint or seclusion are being employed with your child at school it is important to know that in addition to the Procedural Safeguards at every initial PPT meeting in the State of Connecticut parents are required to receive parental notification of the law relating to the use of Seclusion and Restraint in Connecticut Public Schools. A copy of the parental notification trifold can be accessed at the link below.

http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/pressroom/parental_notification_tri_fold.pdf

Monitor Your Child’s Program:
Review your child’s records, functional behavioral assessment, behavior intervention plan and/or treatment plan and any/all incident reports in your child’s permanent educational file. The file will be available for your inspection upon request or a copy may be obtained by way of the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act FERPA on written request. Document your parental concerns in writing, including any necessary photographs if injury is involved.

Sign a No Consent Letter:
In Connecticut a parent must be notified within 24 hours of their child experiencing seclusion or restraint in a public school. A parent may be proactive by submitting a formal letter to the school administration refusing consent to seclusion/restraint and requesting positive behavioral interventions and supports be developed in order to avoid the use of seclusion and restraint. A no restraint sample letter can be found at: http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/NoRestraintLetter.html#top

Further information on this topic can be obtained at:
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/abuse.index.htm Wrightslaw
http://www.pbis.org/seclusion/restraint/default.aspx Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports
http://ndrn.org/media/pr/0509ndrn2.htm National Disability Rights Network
http://ct.gov/.../testimony_2007/education_committee_2-20-07.pdf CT Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
http://ctcdd.org/2007/06/restraints_and_seclusion_in_sc.php Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities
www.ct.gov/sde Ct State Department of Education forms & publications, special education

Report Abusive Practices to State and Local Agencies:
Police Department (in your local area)
Department of Children and Families 1 (800) 842-2288
Office of Protection & Advocacy 1 (800) 842-7303
Office of the Child Advocate 1 (800) 994-0939
State Department of Education
Complaint Resolution 1 (860) 713-6910
CT Sexual Assault Crisis Services 1 (888) 999-5545 English
1 (888) 568-8332 Espanol
United States Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights – Boston, MA 1 (617) 289-0120

If you have witnessed the abuse of a child you have the right to call the police or the DCF hotline (open 24 hours daily). Any act you would call the police for regarding a child without disabilities applies the same for a child with disabilities. Any act of abuse witnessed within a school should be reported to the State Department of Education, Complaint Resolution Department listed above.

Disputes involving your child’s rights under (IDEA) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, state special education regulations or school disciplinary laws and regulations may be addressed by way of an impartial due process hearing. Due process complaint requests are processed by the CT State Department of Education Complaint Resolution Department listed above.

Reporting to Federal Agencies – The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in the United States Department of Education, Boston, Massachusetts: provides primary administrative enforcement for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and ADA the Americans with Disabilities Act, the civil rights statutes which address discrimination with regard to equal access and reasonable accommodations which also apply to schools

Section 504 prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. A Section 504 violation would require showing that aversive techniques were used exclusively on children with disabilities engaging in certain behaviors while not being used with typical children engaging in the similar behaviors.

The ADA addresses equal access and accommodations in public places. An ADA violation would require showing that environmental modifications for a child with disabilities would have made a seclusion or restraint unnecessary and punitive.

All Office and Civil Rights and Impartial Due Process Hearing Decisions may be appealed in Federal Court.

Complaints under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) can be made to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). CRIPA provides the DOJ with the authority to bring legal action against state and local governments for permitting dangerous conditions and unsafe practices which violate the civil rights of persons placed in publicly operated facilities. Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, D. C. Complaint Adjudication Officer (202) 514-2172

Posted by Ed Preneta at 8:19 AM | Comments (0)

2010 Initiatives

At its September 22, 2009 Council meeting, the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities decided to spend about $487,000 in 2010 to fund the following 2010 Initiatives. A request for proposal (RFP) was issued on January 22, 2010. The Council’s Proposal Review ad hoc Committee made decisions on applications during April and May 2010.

1. Aging-In-Place in the Community

Objective: To demonstrate the organization and delivery of services and supports to people with developmental disabilities who are aging in their homes in their community to avoid institutionalization for the rest of their lives.

Description: The Council will make funds available for a regional demonstration based on the Beacon Hill Village aging-in-place in the community model that includes people with developmental disabilities.

Audience: People with developmental disabilities who are aging and already living independently, or with people with whom they have chosen to live, in the community and their neighbors who may or may not have disabilities.

Time Frame: 2010 through 2012

2010 Award: WeCAHR, Danbury $40,000

2. Service Broker and Peer Mentor Demonstration in Money Follows
the Person (MFP) for people targeted for the Personal Care Assistance
(PCA) waiver.

Objective: To support Connecticut Community Care, Inc., for a 2nd year to develop and demonstrate a person-centered support broker/counselor service and peer mentorship program within CT’s MFP program for people targeted for the PCA waiver with priority given to those with developmental disabilities who do not currently have this service in the service package within which they are enrolled.

Description: Support brokers and peer mentors will be demonstrated with some number of eligible people in a region for possible replication statewide and incorporation as an on-going service in CT’s Personal Care Assistance Waiver. Support brokers will assist people with developmental disabilities with coordinating in-home supports and peer mentors will be available to provide advice, counseling and support.

Audience: People with developmental disabilities leaving institutions to live in the community and policymakers responsible for the PCA Waiver.

Time Frame: 2009/2010 through 2011/2012
2010 Estimated Funds: $118,000

3. Influence Transportation Public Policy with a Transit District
Demonstration

Objective: To promote policies and support a demonstration with a transit district to improve the accessibility, affordability and availability of public transportation.

Description: The Council will fund a demonstration with a transit district on an on-demand wheelchair accessible system that enables people with developmental disabilities to get transportation to attend meetings and events of their choice in their community.

Audience: Transportation policymakers and transit districts and people with developmental disabilities who use those systems.

Time Frame: 2010 through 2012

2010 Award: Housatonic Area Regional Transit District $15,000

4. Promoting with Architects, Developers and Landlords
Visitable SmartHomes that Incorporate Universal Design

Objective: To create housing stock that is easily modified so that people with developmental disabilities have more options about where they can live and so that there is more accessible housing in general.

Description: The Council will make funds available for a Visitable SmartHomes initiative. This initiative will require (1) the building and maintenance of a coalition of housing and citizen partners, (2) development of a statewide voluntary accessible homes certification program for builders, (3) promotion with homebuilders associations and housing groups, and (4) a public awareness, education and marketing campaign on the value of visitable homes.

Audience: Architects, developers and landlords and people with developmental disabilities who will live in visitable SmartHomes incorporating universal design.

Time Frame: 2010 through 2012

2010 Award: Independence Unlimited, Hartford $31,000

5. CT Medical Safeguards Program In In-Patient Settings

Objective: To explore start up of a medical safeguards program, based on the Massachusetts model, to protect the lives of people with developmental disabilities in in-patient settings.

Description: CT Council funds will support conferences, meetings and workshops with entities which might take the lead on establishing a safeguards program. Council funds will also support the purchase of advice, consultation and technical assistance from MA Medical Safeguards and the Social Role Valorization Implementation Project to assure consistent values. Council funds will support the start-up of a safeguards program.

Audience: Medical practitioners and others willing to serve as medical advocates and people with developmental disabilities in in-patient settings.

Time Frame: 2010 through 2012

2010 Award: CT Legal Services, Middletown $40,000

6. Grassroots Intensive Parent Training on Inclusive Education

Objective: To provide grassroots intensive training to parents on using special education law to achieve inclusion and to avoid the use of aversives, restraint and seclusion.

Description: The Council will fund the creation or purchase of materials and the presentation of workshops around the state for parents on inclusive education, positive behavioral interventions and reporting the use of aversives, restraints and seclusion. The intent of this training and workshops is to provide parents with day-to-day survival skills.

Audience: Parents with children with developmental disabilities

Time Frame: 2010 through 2012

2010 Award: None

7. Internships with public agencies and private businesses for youth with developmental disabilities

Objective: To provide youth with developmental disabilities on-the-job experience.

Description: Council funds will be used to support internships in various public agencies and businesses.

Audience: Youth with developmental disabilities.

Time Frame: 2010 through 2012

2010 Award: None

8. RoboWaiter Competition

Objective: To support Trinity College, Hartford, for a 4th year to promote the role robotics will play in enabling people with developmental disabilities to be supported to live in integrated community settings.

Description: The Council will co-sponsor a RoboWaiter competition for college and high school students and independent engineers, including a symposium on service robots. The competition is for high school, technical school and college robotics teams to design, build and demonstrate robots that assist people with developmental disabilities with household activities, chores, tasks and other activities of daily living.

Audience: Students hoping to be engineers and engineers and people with developmental disabilities who will use service robots.

Time Frame: 2010

2010 Award: $12,000

9. Training Parents on Building Circles of Support, MAPS (McGill Action Planning System) and PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope)

Objective: To teach parents simple, values-based, graphical tools for planning for the transition of their students with developmental disabilities to the adult world.

Description: The Council will fund people skilled in Circles of Support, MAPS and PATH to do regional workshops.

Audience: Parents who have students with developmental disabilities transitioning to the adult world.

Time Frame: 2010 through 2012

2010 Award: Educational Consultants of CT, Canton $40,000

10. Explore television, radio and print productions that further the mission of the Council to promote the full inclusion of all people with disabilities in community life.

Objective: To use the media to promote with the public the full inclusion of all people with disabilities in community life.

Description: The Council will explore and fund one or more media strategies on selected subjects. Activities will include writing letters to the editor and editorials, exploring the use of Facebook, and radio and television productions. This may be implemented with free lance writers or public relations firms.

Audience: The general public.

Time Frame: 2010 through 2012

2010 Award: First Experience Communications, Glastonbury $40,000

11. Emergency Preparedness Conference

Objective: To provide funds for a follow-up to the Council’s 2005 conference on emergency preparedness and subsequent training to assess the status of changes made since 2005.

Description: The Council will fund a conference with participants in the 2005 conference and entities that have been trained since 2005 to reflect on what has changed and what still needs to be done in order to assure that people with disabilities are properly and safely evacuated.

Audience: First responders (e.g. emergency personnel, fire, police, etc.).

Time Frame: 2010
Estimated Funds: $10,000

12. Youth Advocacy

Objective: Enabling youth with developmental disabilities under the age of 21 to be active advocates locally, statewide and nationally.

Description: CT Council funds will support the development of new, young, emerging leaders to revitalize the disability movement.

Audience: Youth with developmental disabilities.

Time Frame: 2010

2010 Award: None

13. Parents with Cognitive Limitations

Objective: To work with the Department of Children and Families, the Head Start Collaborative, and others, to coordinate efforts among state and private agencies to provide appropriate services and supports to families in which at least one parent has cognitive limitations, and who are associated with Head Start.

Description: The Council will co-fund the Work Group with DCF and the Head Start Collaborative to train providers in 6 trainings in 6 regions.

Audience: Head Start and other public and private providers.

Time Frame: 2010

2010 Award: State Board of Education, Hartford $6,000

14. Digitizing the Weicker Papers

Objective: To put in digital format for access online the important papers on disability issues, including the Developmental Disabilities Act, championed by parent, and former CT Senator, and former CT Governor, Lowell P. Weicker.

Description: The CT Council will make funds available for a researcher to research the papers of Sen. Weicker that are archived at the University of Virginia. Selected papers will be forwarded to the Minnesota Council on Developmental Disabilities. The MN Council will convert the papers to digital format. The MN Council will then place the digitized papers online as part of the history of the disability movement already on line at the MN Council website. A link to the website is on the CT Council website.

Audience: Anyone interested in the history of the disability movement.

Time Frame: October to November 2009

2010 Award: Contract with Ed Burke, Virginia $3,000

15. CT Council on Developmental Disabilities’ 40th Anniversary

Objective: To create visibility and knowledge about the CT Council by publicly celebrating the CT Council’s 40th anniversary.

Description: A public celebration to recognize the CT citizens and agencies who served as Council members and the advocacy, capacity building and systems change they achieved.

Audience: Past and current CT Council members and initiatives, CT DD Network partners, policymakers, and organizations of people with developmental disabilities and parents.

Time Frame: March 2, 2011.

2010 Award: An in-house activity assigned $5,000

16. 20th Anniversary of the ADA

Objective: Funding to support the planning and implementation of a CT 20th Anniversary of the ADA celebration

Description: The President of the Americans with Disabilities Act Coalition of Connecticut (ADACC) has asked the Council to financially support the planning and implementation of and ADA Celebration.

Audience: A broader range of interested parties beyond disability advocates to be determined.

Time Frame: July 26, 2010

2010 Award: ADA Coalition of CT, Hartford $5,000

17. 2010 Disability Convention and Expo

Objective: Funding to support the planning and implementation of a 3rd Disability Convention and expo

Description: The Council will participate in funding a convention where people running for elected office are invited to speak and vendors exhibit their products and services.

Audience: People with disabilities and parents are the primary audience.

2010 Award: Disability Advocacy Collaborative, Cromwell $5,000

Posted by Ed Preneta at 2:44 PM | Comments (0)

June 2, 2010

The Council Is Seeking New Members

The CT Council on Developmental Disabilities is taking applications for Council membership from people with developmental disabilities and parents of children with developmental disabilities. The CT Council has 3 vacancies for people with developmental disabilities and 2 vacancies for parents. Selected applicants will be interviewed on July 22, 2010, at the Office of Protection and Advocacy, Hartford. Recommendations for appointment to the Council will be submitted to the Governor’s Office during August 2010 for appointment on or about October 1, 2010. Council members serve a three (3) year term that is renewable for another 3 years.

Council meetings are generally held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of January, March, June, September and November. A Retreat is usually held in May. Council Members are also expected to participate on one of the Council’s standing committees and at least one site visit evaluation of recipients of Council funds. Council members are reimbursed for meeting expenses and receive a small stipend.

Applications for Council membership can be obtained from the Council’s website at http://www.ct.gov/ctcdd/lib/ctcdd/ct_council_app.doc.
Click on Council Information and then click on Council Appointment Application. Applications can also be obtained by contacting the Council Office, 460 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106-1308 (860) 418- 6160 or 1-800-653-1134.

We look forward to your application.

Thank you very much.

Tom McCann, Chair
Membership and Support Committee

Posted by Ed Preneta at 2:40 PM | Comments (0)

SAVE THE DATE!

The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities invites you to our
40th Anniversary Celebration
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Time To Be Determined
Crowne Plaza, Cromwell, CT

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of
The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities and our work to promote the full inclusion of all people with disabilities in community life.

Honoring leaders who have advanced equal opportunity for people with developmental disabilities:

Senator Lowell P. Weicker
John A. Doyle
Chief of Staff, Senate Subcommittee on the Handicapped

Eliot J. Dober
First Executive Director, CT Office of Protection and Advocacy

Thomas H. Powell, Ed.D.
First Director, University Affiliated Program,UCONN

1971-2011
40th Anniversary

Posted by Ed Preneta at 5:15 PM | Comments (0)