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The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is part of the Minnesota network of programs funded under P.L. 106-402, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act). The DD Act also funds the Minnesota Disability Law Center, the designated Protection and Advocacy agency for the state, and the Institute on Community Integration, a University Center for Excellence located at the University of Minnesota.

The business of the GCDD is to provide information, education, and training to increase knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to an increase in the independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

COUNCIL MEMBERS AS OF DECEMBER 7, 2011

FEDERAL OUTCOMES (IPSII)

RESULTS

The Minnesota GCDD received $1,023,244 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) for FFY 2011. Of that amount, 71% was allocated for grants and contracts to fulfill the goals of the GCDD's Five Year State Plan approved by the federal government.

1. Partners in Policymaking®: The Minnesota GCDD has sponsored Partners in Policymaking courses since May 1, 1987. In FFY 2011, Class 28 graduated 10 self advocates and 20 family members, including three individuals from minority communities. Participants evaluated themselves at the beginning of the program year on the federal outcomes of IPSII and again at graduation. The following IPSII changes were reported: On a 5 point scale, independence increased from 4.4 to 4.6; productivity increased from 4.4 to 4.6; self determination increased from 4.1 to 4.5; and integration and inclusion increased from 3.9 to 4.2. Graduates rated knowledge gained at 4.7, usefulness of the presentations at 4.8, and quality of the training sessions at 4.8 (5-point scale).

Twenty-seven Partners graduates (1,600 total participants) attended an Autism and Employment Forum featuring Temple Grandin. Best Buy, Cargill, and 3M sponsored this event in cooperation with the Autism Society of Minnesota and the GCDD, with a grant from Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Department of Employment and economic Security,. The Forum was rated for knowledge gained at 4.6, usefulness of the presentations at 4.5, and quality of the workshop at 4.7 (5-point scale).

QUOTES

Partners in Policymaking Program

"Partners has brought me in touch with self advocates and has brought their issues to light. I have learned so much about you and your families."

"I came to Partners to help my son but I feel that I'm the one who has benefitted. I realize I have a voice and a chance to make his life better. I have a greater awareness of disability issues and have learned so much – and there is so much more to do."

"I always had a fear of public speaking but I think I can overcome that now. I've gotten interested in politics. I've always thought of it as a foreign language; now I'm on an email list for my representative and the open appointments list. I want to be a part of and have a voice for those who don't."

"I came to Partners without any idea about what it was. I came with a lot of knowledge about my son's disability and how to make his life the best. You're all causing me to think about whether what I have planned for him is what he really needs. There were a lot of things I needed to hear and did hear in this class."

Partners Graduate Workshop

"I very much appreciated the opportunity to attend this event. It was my first time to be in Temple Grandin's audience – she is inspirational!"

"As always – exceptional presenters, content, coordination."

"Temple Grandin is an excellent speaker and spokesperson for Autism. Her focus on abilities rather than disabilities and the role model that she is for others is a real encouragement."

Partners Listserv

The Listserv is a closed email list for graduates and coordinators of the Partners in Policymaking programs in the United States and internationally where subscribers can exchange information about accomplishments; offer "how to" suggestions; request assistance; announce conferences, training seminars and meetings; and post public policy alerts. Currently, there are 418 subscribers to the Partners listserv.

Supplier:
Government Training Services
2233 University Ave West, Suite 150
St. Paul, Minnesota 55114
www.mngts.org

2. Partners Online: The Partners in Policymaking classroom program is connected in several ways to the online training courses –

QUOTES

Partners in Making Your Case

"The information presented gave a pretty straightforward way to access you public officials; knowing in advance how to do this will make it easier and less stressful when I communicate to lawmakers about my causes."

"Liked the mix of video clips, personal stories, and pictures along with tips and facts about advocacy."

"The course was very informative and had a ton of information. It was easy to follow and I like how it took you step by step to teach how our voice can be heard and to make a change in the world."

Partners in Education

"Loved the personal stories."

"Appreciated the tips for parents and felt the encouragement the course provided for not accepting the ‘experts' opinions was greatly needed."

"Especially enjoyed gaining an understanding of 21st century learning expectations."

"It took the complexities of the educational system and broke them down into easy to understand pieces."

Partners in Employment

"A GREAT course and really informative about the entire job seeking process."

"As a parent, I expanded my realization that certain social skills my child is learning now are very important to her future successful employment. Some of these social skills are hard lessons now but will be essential in the workplace."

"Like the soft skills component and emphasis on networking and utilizing a circle of family friends."

"It was indeed an eye opening experience to learn that some of the more challenging characteristics of ASD can be the very ones that make persons with ASD among the strongest candidates for careers in the digital industry."

EZ Read Partners in Employment

"Impressed with the additional knowledge concerning the rights of students with disabilities. I teach these students but the course was a reminder of information I had forgotten."

"I liked the repetitiveness the breaks in paragraphs, tables, and the concise information. It was really reader-friendly and I didn't have to take as many breaks as I usually do when reading."

"As a job developer, I was very impressed with how it was simplified for people with cognitive disabilities."

Partners in Time

"Had a difficult time prying myself away. I appreciated the comparison of where we have been, where we are, and where we are hoping to be."

"Even though I've worked in the field of disabilities for 19 years, there were gaps in my knowledge that this training helped to fill."

"The course helped me to understand the reason behind the push for special education and disability rights in the United States."

"The history from the 1950s to today was stunning."

Partners in Living

"Found the community living section very pertinent in helping the advocates I work with in taking the steps to realize their dreams."

"Enjoyed learning that my daughter, with supports, can live on her own or even be more successful at home."

"Liked the history of the parent movement; enjoyed the section on family."

"Very informative; gave me all sorts of ideas to use to assist my 24 year old son to become more independent."

Supplier:
ZenMation, Inc.
215 – 10th Avenue South, Suite 913
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415
zenmation.com

3. Cultural Outreach: The GCDD funded cultural outreach programs in the African American and Latino communities in FFY 2011. A total of 31 individuals graduated from these training programs. In assessing IPSII, the graduates rated themselves on a 5-point scale.

For the African American Outreach program, independence increased from 3.6 to 4.4, productivity increased from 2.8 to 4.1, self determination increased from 3.4 to 4.1, and integration/inclusion increased from 3.5 to 4.5. Graduates rated the program as 4.8 for knowledge gained, 4.8 for usefulness, and 4.8 for quality of training.

For the Latino Outreach program, independence changed from 3.0 to 4.5, productivity from 2.5 to 4.7, self determination from 2.8 to 4.6, and integration/inclusion from 3.2 to 4.7. Graduates rated the program as 4.7 in knowledge gained, 4.6 for usefulness, and 4.7 for quality of training.

QUOTES

"I really learned a lot about what happened to people with disabilities and kids that didn't deserve to get treated the way they were. Everyone is equal and deserved respect."

"I learned that a leader is someone that understands everyone… someone who shows respect and is respectful."

"This training is helping me to find ways to deal with my son's education in public school."

"I never realized that laws are so complex. I see there are things that need to be changed and we have to speak out with others to make a change."

Suppliers:
IPSII, Inc.
6611 Lynnwood Boulevard
Richfield, Minnesota 55423

CLUES
797 East Seventh Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55106
www.clues.org

4. Longitudinal Studies of Partners in Policymaking: During FFY 2011 Nancy Miller, Metropolitan State University, surveyed Partners graduates from Years XIX through XXI I (Classes 23 through 26).

Based on averages across these four classes, the results indicated that 94% of the respondents have the advocacy skills necessary to get needed services and supports some or most of the time; and 90% rate their leadership skills as good to excellent. In terms of federal outcomes, 88% have increased independence, 87% have increased productivity, 90% have increased self determination, and 86% have increased integration and inclusion that they attribute to their Partners experience.

Supplier:
Nancy Miller, Ph.D.
Metropolitan State University
700 East Seventh Street, Room SJ 210
St. Paul, Minnesota 55106
nancy.miller@metrostate.edu

5. Digital Imaging/Employment: Since 1981, the GCDD has worked with employers and promoted the direct employment of people with developmental disabilities. During FFY 2011 –

Supplier:
The Wallace Group
3750 Pilot Knob Road
Eagan, Minnesota  55121
www.wallacegroup.com

6. Self Advocacy: The statewide self advocacy network, Self Advocates of Minnesota (SAM), covers all six regions in the state. The mission of SAM is to promote the human and civil rights of people with developmental disabilities, working with groups to strengthen personal empowerment, increase disability awareness, and achieve systems change.

During FFY 2011, federal funds supported the Central and Northwest regions ($100,000); and a state appropriation, part of the base allocation for the Department of Human Services, supported the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest regions ($124,000). A variety of funding sources financially supports the Twin Cities SAM region. A total of 441 self advocates attended 35 training sessions in the Central and Northwest regions on self advocacy concepts, human rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, voting rights, discrimination, running meetings and meeting guidelines, and building leadership and strengthening leadership skills.

A total of 35 self advocates served as teachers/trainers about issues/topics that included assertiveness, communication skills, starting a self advocacy group, language and terminology issues, relationships and privacy, disability history, self determination, and personal story telling. Self evaluation results - greater independence – 96%, productivity – 77%, self determination – 97%, integration/inclusion – 93%.

Self advocates were local hosts for the national AAIDD Conference that was held in St. Paul. They presented a keynote address on the History of Self Advocacy, and were involved in both visual and performing arts, sharing the spirit of the self advocacy movement via music and spoken word. TPT (Twin Cities Public Television) produced a documentary entitled Institutions to Independence that traces the history of services in Minnesota from the 1860s into the 21st Century through the telling of stories of self advocates, families, and professionals.

David Gillette, a cartoonist with TPT, created an illustrated essay, "Know Your Rights," about the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Self advocates were interviewed and their perspectives about rights and what they mean provided the basis for this essay.

A combined DVD including Institutions to Independence and "Know Your Rights" was produced and disseminated at the state self advocacy conference in May 2011.

Suppliers:
Advocating Change Together, Inc.
1821 University Avenue, Suite 306-
South St. Paul, Minnesota 55104
www.selfadvocacy.org

7. Training Conferences: The GCDD cosponsored 15 training conferences during FFY 2011; the total number of attendees was 2,599. The overall rating was 9.1 (10 point scale) and 97% of the participants rated the conferences as useful/helpful.

QUOTES

"This conference was incredibly helpful for me as a parent of a child with Down Syndrome. I gained numerous tools we are already using to help with structure at home, but also with school and other activities."

"I liked the practical ideas for an education setting and would have liked more options for people who have been in the field of autism and education to stretch my skills."

"I enjoyed the sessions on safety in the community and emergencies."

"It's good to understand what it means to be a leader – helping people out and not worrying what other people think of me."

Suppliers: AAIDD, ACT, Inc., Arc Kandiyohi County, Arc Midstate, Arc Southeast Minnesota, Arc United, Autism Society of Minnesota, Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, Center for Inclusive Child Care, Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota, Fraser, MN APSE, MnDACA, Partnership Resources, Inc., and Reach for Resources, Inc.

8. Publications: In FFY 2011, the GCDD disseminated 10,686 print publications to 202 individuals as well as conference attendees. The evaluation scores averaged 8.8 on a 10 point scale and 98% of the respondents indicated the publications were useful. A total of 519,161 items were downloaded from the GCDD and Partners web sites.

9. E-Government Services: In FFY 2011, a total of 249 items were converted to electronic formats and/or added to the websites. A total of 242,556 unique visits were made to the GCDD and Partners websites. A total of 33,752 visits were made to mn.gov/disability-mn, the one stop website for all state disability programs, products, and services.
 
New features added to the GCDD web site included the following:

An emergency planning web section was launched; the California Feeling Safe, Being Safe materials and modified Minnesota version were added.

An emergency planning/preparedness subsection was created for individuals with autism spectrum disorder with products and services that may be helpful as emergency planning tools; and a tech app, Autism 5-Point Scale EP, was developed that is available free of charge at the Apple Store.

Additions to With An Eye to the Past included a series of 26 articles by Sam Newlund, Star Tribune (1984 - 1989), and relating to the Welsch case; Welsch slide show with court exhibits from 1973; monthly Access Press "History Note" articles; and Governor Al Quie interview with Lori Sturdevant, Star Tribune, about the beginning of special education.

Additions to Parallels in Time, Part 2 included Ray Stewart films (eight of a series of 13 documentaries) about Iowa institutions; Lowell Weicker film segments about institutional abuses; articles about the closures of Vineland Developmental Center (New Jersey) and Partlow Developmental Center (Alabama); Willowbrook slide show; and the Fairview Survivors film.

Additions to the ASD and Employment web section included the Top 10 Actions brochures for individuals with ASD and families, educators, employers, and Vocational Rehabilitation Services staff; Computer Explorers Summer 2011 camp offerings, iD Tech Camps at Macalester College; personal success stories; and Allan Bergman's policy paper on autism and employment.

METO section launched with Settlement Agreement documents, class members claims process, summary of key points; and videotaped interviews with Shamus O'Meara, Plaintiff Counsel, Steve Larson, The Arc Minnesota, Pamela Hoopes, Minnesota Disability Law Center, Roberta Opheim, Ombudsman Office for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, and self advocates about the lawsuit and Settlement Agreement.

The Document Imaging page was reorganized and webinar modules added.

An EZ Read version of the Partners in Employment online course was released.

Making Your Case in American Sign Language was created and released, and a Video Captioning Essentials online course was posted.

The Five Year State Plan for FFYs 2012-2016; Annual Business Results for FFY 2011; and Spanish versions of the publications Shifting Patterns, Making Your Case, and Stories of Leadership were posted on the Council website.

QUOTES

"The ASD website section is astoundingly easy to navigate. I am amazed at what you have accomplished. It is brilliant and rich and useful if someone has the tenacity to read and browse around the multitude of interesting rooms! Incredible resource."

"I have been using the Parallels in Time to prepare for our Council retreat and annual report. It's a great body of work. I spent hours just browsing through the information."

"I am struck by the several occupation categories the [ASD] website references using real people with their talents visible for website users to see. The site has a lot of vitality through its use of color and movement in addition to multiple themes which can be interpreted on a number of levels."

"The documentary [Institutions to Independence] was great. Loved seeing all the people who were willing to share their stories and teach us."

"The Partners in Policymaking online courses are wonderfully full of knowledge."

"I look forward to being inspired by the [Ed Roberts'] website and sharing it with our students so they can know on whose shoulders they stand or sit."

Supplier:
Master Communications Group
3410 Winnetka Ave N, Suite 107
New Hope, Minnesota 55427
www.mastcom.com

10. Customer Focused Research: Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families (222) were surveyed to learn about current levels of IPSII and the indicators for each, impact of technology and how technology is used to enhance people's lives, and experience with abuse, neglect, or exploitation; and providers (66) were surveyed about employment, health care, quality assurance, housing, and self advocacy to gather input for the Five Year State Plan. Both groups identified housing, employment, and health care as the top three issues facing individuals with developmental disabilities in the next five years.

The results of these surveys can be found at https://mn.gov/mnddc/extra/customer-research.htm.

Supplier:
MarketResponse International
1304 University Ave Northeast, Suite 304
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
www.marketresponse.com

11. Quality Improvement: Stakeholder satisfaction surveys were disseminated, and results reviewed and analyzed to identify actionable items for the Five Year State Plan. Training, technical assistance, and coaching were provided regarding process improvements for Consumer Directed Community Services (CDCS). Business connections were pursued and established regarding individuals with autism spectrum disorder and employment and careers in digital technology fields.

GCDD staff/members received a total of 540 person hours of training   478 person hours of core learning on DD issues and 62 person hours of training on quality principles/Baldrige Framework.

Suppliers:
Quality Culture Institute
2603 Institute Road
Rochester, Minnesota 55902

12. Technical Assistance: During FFY 2011, the GCDD had 3,591 unique customer contacts about individual problems and 80 unique contacts about the Partners in Policymaking program. Considering repeat customers and including the online courses, a total of 15,852 contacts were made. A total of 1,063 compliments were received regarding personal assistance and support, timeliness and responsiveness, and specific products or services.

A total of 998 individuals used the Council's Facebook page and 8,196 Facebook visits were made.

A total of 92 individuals completed the stakeholder satisfaction survey; 140 compliments were received about leadership, planning, customer focus, and end results; and 103 compliments about specific products or services. On a 6-point scale, the GCDD's impact on choice and control was rated 5.75, impact on community participation was rated 5.75, and satisfaction with GCDD activities was rated 5.87.

QUOTES

"One of the many things I like about my job is the chance to learn about topics that wouldn't otherwise reach me."

"You have provided more than some of my academic advisors and I really appreciate it."

"Thank you Partners in Policymaking for creating such a powerful leadership/advocacy/partnership experience for the people who have the power to make change happen!"

"I believe your disabled rights in the USA are excellent compared to ours as we have major problems with access, and the needs and requirements of our disabled community throughout South Africa."

Stakeholder survey comments and feedback about the GCDD included:

Exemplifies best practices, sets standards, and others look up the work of the Minnesota Council.

Leadership was described as excellent, strong, humanitarian, understanding, and knowledgeable; they understand the big picture, and are well versed about the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Provides advocacy and enables others to be advocates.

Works toward a quality of life for all citizens to make life better for people with developmental disabilities.

Employment/ASD initiative was great, more successful than others.

Parallels in Time is the best, most useful history.

Partners with others, aligns funding, navigates across agencies in a collaborative manner.

13. Presentations: During FFY 2011, a total of 16 presentations reached 1,490 people.

QUOTES

"Thank you for the information you provided for our group (Partners) last month. I know I have a resource if I run into more problems with my son's school."

Thank you for your recent presentation for us at the Shoreview Community Center… our vocational services managers… felt that it was a tremendously important day for them and they want to make you available to as many of our Direct Services professionals as possible."

"Thank you for all of your help in leading the CLE at the County Attorneys Association."

PUBLIC POLICY