Foster productive partnerships between policymakers and people needing and using services. Representation from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, different geographic regions of the state, and various developmental disabilities are sought. Persons who are not actively involved in existing advocacy efforts are ideal candidates. Program Specifics Nevada Partners in Policymaking is currently in its first year of a five-year grant. A class of 25 participants are selcted through an application and selection process.
Partners attend eight two-day training sessions held over a period of eight months.
Sessions are Friday-Saturday at an area hotel. At each session, experts in disability history, advocacy, and service development present information to the class and interact with participants. Partners have the opportunity to work on communication skills, assertiveness and persuasion, negotiation and decision-making skills, legislative testimonial presentation skills, and group facilitation. Participants complete homework assignments every month, as well as prepare and complete an individual project during the course of the year. Attendance at all sessions is critical, and all partners must sign an agreement to these requirements.