Empowering Voices Cultivating Grassroots Advocacy Networks for IDD to Enhance Impact and Drive Better Outcomes
INTRODUCTION 3 PROJECT OVERVIEW 6
agenda
KEY FINDINGS & OUTCOMES 9 LEADERSHIP REFLECTIONS 15 IMPACT & FUTURE DIRECTIONS 17 Q&A SESSION 20
INTRODUCTION
Why this project? • Improve inclusion in our communities”change the world” • Given our history, inclusion doesn’t just happen, it is built • Looking at history it often begins with policy
4
Significance After decades of not having a platform with our State Legislature in Kansas, we finally started making great progress! My goal was to build on the momentum to keep the flywheel turning Things I noticed in my advocacy efforts: • Advocating for not advocating with • Pattern of reliance on a small group of dedicated advocates • Diversity in voices and representation was/is needed
5
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Objectives Increase and amplify
Increase and amplify voices of individuals with lived experience
Re-engage
Re-engage the heart of historical advocacy in our space by engaging loved ones
Find solutions
Engage with peer organizations to identify barriers and find realistic solutions
Expand Network
Engage with community stakeholders
Promote
Promote advocacy and engagement beyond our home state
7
First Steps 1.
LOOK AT CURRENT RESOURCES AND CONNECTIONS THAT WILL HELP ADVANCE GOALS
2.
IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT PARTNERS IN THE CAUSE
3.
GAP ANALYSIS- EXPAND CONNECTIONS
8
KEY FINDINGS AND OUTCOMES
Increase and amplify voices of individuals with lived experience
“Rachel you gave me the courage to do it cuz I wouldn't have never tried to do it on my own but you help me with it I'm so grateful to you Rachel”
10
Amplify the heart of historical advocacy in our space by engaging loved ones
11
Engage with peer organizations to identify barriers and find realistic solutions
Grow understanding
Be at the right tables
Solution Focused Strategic Planning
Interhab -Grassroots, Complex Needs, Chair-PAC committee, 14c transition workgroup, waiting list workgroup ANCOR- Grassroots, GR, GR Advisory, Board of Reps, Housing Task Force
12
Engage with community stakeholders • Franklin County Leadership Community Health Panel- County Leadership Development • Kansas Employment First Grant Steering Committee- KUCDD • Direct Support Worker Training Advisory Committee- KU • Community of Innovation- Caresource • ANE Steering Committee- KCDD
Promote advocacy beyond Kansas • I work with our State Trade Association to help engage our members in federal issues through ANCOR connections- sharing advocacy alerts and updates • Due to regular engagement with Federal Legislators, I was asked to participate in a press conference discussing the harm proposed Federal Medicaid cuts would have on IDD population
What worked?
Challenges
Individuals with IDD had direct influence on policy decisions
Time constraints and competing priorities
Increased engagement in advocacy efforts- lots of new faces! Strengthened partnerships at state and national levels Legislative prioritization is evident
Need for earlier stakeholder engagementesp. with individuals served Some training initiatives had varying levels of participation The “fight” is getting harder
14
LEADERSHIP REFLECTIONS
Growth Through this Academy Starting out-
Where I am at now-
• Strong leadership foundation with underutilized skills
• Improving capacity in listening first
• Passionate leader but hyperindependent
• Finding a better balance with strategic execution and emotional intelligencepassion with pragmatism
• Cared a lot about people but did not prioritize showing that care
• Shifting from doing to empowering
• Prioritizing empathy and compassion in my interactions
16
IMPACT AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Impact
VOICES HAVE BEEN HEARD AND VALUED
ADVOCATES AND SELF-ADVOCATES HAVE EMBRACED THEIR POWER
SPECIAL INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
20 STATE LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS- AND GROWING
IDD 101 HEARING- 3 HOURS
RATE INCREASE INCLUDED IN FLAT BUDGET YEAR
BUILDING RELATIONSHIP AND RAPPORT WITH FEDERAL REPS
18
Future Directions Engage individuals with lived experience at the development stage
Expand self-advocacy program and share with other agencies
Develop long-term sustainability plan for grassroots advocacy
Continue mentoring others in advocacy and leadership
19
Q&A Thank you! I am overwhelmed with gratitude for our collective mentorsSasha and Cindy- my individual mentor- Meghan Bowman- and my cohort peers that I was honored to learn from in every culture circle, meeting, and session.
Rachel Neumann 785-893-0260 rneumann@cofts.org
20