Council-Sponsored Grant Activities: On Eagle's Wings

Cultural Outreach Program in the African American Community

A cultural outreach and leadership training program has been offered in the African American Community since 1992. The original intent remains - providing outreach services to minority parents; personal support; and a training program that gives participants resource information about available programs and services, teaches beginning leadership and communication skills to work effectively with their elected public officials, and introduces the concepts of the Partners program.

Nineteen individuals attended the first session for the 2017 program year on January 27, 2017. The focus was on Disability History. Participants worked in small groups to share information about themselves, what's important to them in terms of needed supports and services, and their personal life goals. Emergency preparedness information was also presented, including tips and tools dealing with winter weather conditions and flu season.

For the February 11, 2017 training session, participants worked in small groups and assumed the roles of IEP team members. Each group played out a different point of view from the perspective of a particular team member and then shared the results and their successes in getting the student’s needs met.

For the February 25, 2017 training session, participants learned about waiver services, the waiver application process, and received assistance in applying for waiver services. In small groups, they also worked through a person centered planning process to get a better sense of life planning for the individual based on his or her needs and preferences, including housing and employment services.

For the March 4, 2017 training session, participants received an overview of current state legislative issues that are priorities for individuals with developmental disabilities and families during this session. One participant was approved for waiver services and another participant is being assessed..

For the March 15, 2017 session, participants met with Senators Hoffman, Wiger, and Wiklund, and requested support for two bills – one regarding employment exploration, development, and support services under the home and community based waivers; and one about a new budget approach for individuals leaving institutions and crisis services, and needing more expensive services to live in the community.

A one-half day emergency planning session was held on April 8, 2017 for On Eagles Wings graduates. Participants learned personal safety strategies related to winter storms, floods, and tornadoes, and prepared their own "go kits. They also received information about the Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT) and CERT training provided by first responders that focuses on disaster preparedness.