The Autism Insurance Law Signed!

Partners Grad Michael Smith and his son Alexander witness Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing the Autism Insurance Bill into law. For more information (and more pictures!) see this article.

Julie Marks '08 and Deanna McManus '06 Networking

The premier meeting of networking group for young professionals with disabilities was held this week in Rochester. And among this group of up-and-comers? Two Partners Grads (of course!) Click here to see the article from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle!

Partners in the Media: Julie Buick '06

Partners grad, Julie Buick '06, is interviewed by YNN in Rochester about the Autism Insurance Bill. Click here to view the story!

Helene Fallon, Class of '06

Helene Fallon and Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education

Helene is a another very active Partners Grad!

In her "day job" Helene is the Training Coordinator for the Long Island Parent Center and also the Training Coordinator for the Long Island Advocacy Center.

And in her "spare" time??

Helene co-facilitates NYS Communities of Practice for Family, School and Community Collaboration. This COP includes many stakeholders including the NYS Education Department and works to support outcomes for children.

She is very involved in Communites of Practice and one of 14 Activity Leaders from around the country for the IDEA Partnership where she represents families. In this role she participated in the Office of Special Education Programs' Thought Leader Forum on Education from Cradle to College and Career in Washington DC last week. This workgroup included stakeholders from around the country and the results of this forum will be reported to the US Department of Education.

Since graduating from Partners in 2006, Helene started the Long Island chapter of the Learning Disabilities Association and she is their Executive Director and on LDA's statewide board.

She was also instrumental in starting the Long Island Community of Practice 3 years ago. The organization was started to bring the not-for-profit organizations of the region together to share resources and disseminate information about each others' events (they have a list-serv that goes to >15,000 people!) The organization also hosts Long Island Regional TRAID (for assistive technology) and hosts free, inclusive recreation events for children with disabilities and their families on the East End of Long Island.

Helene is also on the NYS Task Force for Higher Education and Systems Change working on teacher preparation especially in the area of including families in educational planning and implementation.

Helene teaches a class for graduate students at Long Island University called Schools, Collaboration and Consultation.

"I had had a number of trainings and experiences before I went to Partners,

but it is Partners that made me able to do the work that I do!"

Michelle Appleby, Class of 2006

Ginny Ellis, Kathy Connor ('02), Michelle Appleby ('06),
James Huben, Aldea LaParr

When I was participating in Partners in 2006 as a self advocate, I was serving on the Board of Directors for the Northern Regional Center for Independent Living and I was a stay at home mom to my two daughters. When both my children reached preschool/school age I decided it was time to go back to work.

In December 2007 I stepped down off the Board of Directors at Northern Regional Center for Independent Living and took a position as a Systems Advocate.

My role as a Systems Advocate was to work with a grassroots network of 19 other Systems Advocates in New York State to make changes on the local,State and Federal levels of government.

These changes were to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As a result of this position, and  in order to make connections and build relationships with policymakers, politicians and various agencies in the community, I was appointed to the Jefferson County Community Services Board and PWDD Subcommittee by the Jefferson County Legislature in April 2008.

I served as PWDD subcommittee Chair in 2010 and I was re-elected as chair for 2011.

In June 2008, I received the Excelsior Award For Excellence from the New York State Assembly for outstanding dedication and committment to my community!

In February 2009, I was appointed by Governor Paterson to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and to the Systems Change and Community Eduction Subcommittees.

In January 2011, I was appointed by the Watertown City Council to the Watertown, NY Transportion Commission to fill a vacated seat. I was re-appointed in April 2011 to serve in my first 3 year term on theCommission.

Although my position as a Systems Advocate was eliminated due to budget cuts in January 2011, I still remain active in all positions on the city,county and state level.

In February 2011, I accepted a full time position at Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson and Lewis County. In this positon I work as an Intake worker and serve as the contact person for Fair Housing
Discrimination Claims.

As an intake worker I work one on one with low income families to assess what needs they may have in achieving self reliance and refer them to programs and services that might help them achieve that goal.

If it werent for being accepted into Partners in 2006, I don't know how much I would have improved "quality of life" for my children and I.

With the knowledge I obtained thru partners I feel I am able to contribute not only my own personal knowlege and experience of programs and services to the various clients and positions I serve in but also provide a better understanding of how programs and services work to people with disabilities and their families who need this information.

I think Partners definitely empowers people to make a difference whether its personal or professional.

The sky doesn't have to be the limit. There are endless possibilities :)