Program Graduate Accomplishments
Over 625 individuals have graduated from Partners in Policymaking in South Dakota since the program began in the fall of 1992. An added benefit of the training is that graduates assist others with the knowledge they have gained. Representative activities participants and graduates have been involved in include:
- SD Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Member Governor's Family Support Council
- Family Support Coordinator
- Member of local school board
- South Dakota Special Olympics Advisory Board
- Mayor of mid-sized city
- Mayor's Committees for Disability Issues
- SD Advocacy Services Governing Board
- SD Advocacy Services PADD Advisory Council
- Partners in Policymaking Selection Committee
- Member of Dare to Dream Conference administrative panels
- Leadership in People First of South Dakota
- Appointed to Board of Directors of NISH (National Institute for the Severely Handicapped)
- Presentations to numerous groups and organizations on disability issues
- Represented South Dakota at the '94 Regional Cross Disability Network Leadership & Organizing Conference
- Attended IDEA Implications for Rehabilitation Planning, San Diego State University
- Recipient of Governor's Outstanding Citizen with a Disability Award
- Recipient of Governor's Distinguished Service Award
- Member Quad Squad
- Attended National Council on Disabilities Youth Leadership Conference '98
- Organization of community support groups
- Helped to secure accessible community transportation van
- Member Justin Dart's Ad-Hoc Committee (ADA/IDEA)
- Member of Board of Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities
- Instrumental in pilot project for Huron ATC Miller Outreach project
- Child find
- Board of Directors for Miller Support Services of the Huron CFI
- Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
- State-wide Easter Seals Board
- Linking Hands
- Vocational Rehabilitation Board (BVR)
- Successful IEP's, IHP's
- Participant Infant-Toddler training initiative
- Inclusive Living
- Testimonial on legislative issues
- Advocacy activities for themselves and others
- Employee of the Year from ATC and their employer
- Member of Administration on DD Issues Workgroup, St. Louis, MO
- Director of Board of Directors of an electric cooperative
- Served on City Council
- Member of Traumatic Brain Injury initiative group
- Work with special needs inmates to handle life skills
- Served on panel and spoke at Partners in Policymaking trainings
- Representative for ICC Conference in Washington, DC
- Attended Partners in Policymaking Summer Leadership Conference
- Autism Society of America
- Chosen to meet with President Clinton and Vice President Gore regarding employment of individuals with disabilities
- Chosen to attend Project Leadership in Washington, DC
- Chosen as team leaders and asst. team leaders for SD Youth Leadership Forum
- Chosen as Executive Director for National Youth Leadership Program