NY Partners in Policymaking: Plans for 2011

February 2010

Dear Fellow Partner,

You have probably heard about the new developments in the Partners in Policymaking Program. Yes, change is indeed in the air. After a brief hiatus, the program will begin again in 2011 with program components redesigned and delivered in a way to allow for outreach to a much broader and larger population. The original purpose and philosophy are intact and the program will continue as an exemplary leadership development opportunity for parents and self-advocates.

In response to a request from the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council to develop and evaluate an interactive distance learning format, The Advocacy Center and the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University have joined forces to design and test an interactive distance learning format for the Partners in Policymaking program. Some participants may meet face-to-face for a few of the sessions but the majority will be participating from their own homes or an independent off-site location.

This model complements the diverse learning styles and needs of the typical Partners audience and addresses barriers to participation that existed with the previous delivery format. The importance of social networking and community building as part of the Partners experience will be embraced and encouraged through quality instruction and opportunities using different modalities.

A common core curriculum will be used; however, three ways of delivering the training will be tested and evaluated:
one group will meet at Cornell University three times and on-line four times,
one group will meet at Cornell University one time and on-line six times,
one group will meet entirely on-line with no face-to-face encounters.
At the end of a three year period there will be an analysis of comparisons between the three groups and past Partners trainings. Recommendations will be made to the DDPC about the best possible delivery format for the training going forward.


Cornell’s Employment and Disability Institute and The Advocacy Center are pleased to have this opportunity to join forces to continue the Partners Curriculum and program. The Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University will direct the development and evaluation of the research demonstration. Nancy Hinkley serves as the Project Director with support from Jeff Trondsen, Technology Coordinator; and Alexis Falise, Project Support Specialist. Joyce Steel continues to serve in a supervisory role at The Advocacy Center working closely with Jackie Yingling, the new Partners Coordinator. Jackie is the parent of a 26-year-old young woman who has developmental disabilities, a 2006 Partners graduate, and a long-time employee of The Advocacy Center. Anna Costalas from The Advocacy Center provides technical and communications assistance.

A new Partners website is in the works, and stimulating on-line training opportunities for Partners graduates will be included as part of that development.

We value your input and need your assistance as well. We hope you will consider the ways in which you can support the program. You can help in a number of ways:

1) Complete a survey assessing activities, technology needs, willingness to mentor a future Partner in your region, and preferences for webinar topic areas.

2) Visit the future New York State Partners in Policymaking website in June 2010, with portals for information sharing and training. It is currently under development. Your response to our survey will assist us in making sure the website is responsive to your needs.

3) Recruit new Partners for the 2011 class. You will receive a link to the application packet in late 2010.

The most important way to support the Partners program is to make sure you have accurate and up-to-date information about the program.

We appreciate your continued contributions and look forward to learning with you and discovering ways to improve the Partners program.

Should you have any questions about Partners coordination, please contact Jackie at Yingling@advocacycenter.com Please complete the survey by March 15, 2010.

Thanks very much.