United for CHOICE!
Presented by Robin Kennedy, Director of Agency Relations,
It all starts with an inspiring GOAL:
To advance advocacy and outreach:
• Engage our stakeholders - persons with disabilities,
family members and community members.
• Establish a sustainable structure with a purpose.
Our Assets:
• Invested stakeholders: consumer council, well
developed communication practices from agency,
engaged community.
• Strong and knowledgeable state association:
RFW In Action, Wisconsin
• Organizational commitment: from agency Board of
Directors and President for investment of staff,
budget allocation and time for development and
ongoing implementation.
Our Challenges:
• Lack of structure: many invested people – how to
bring them together?
• Difficult to sustain: one time initiatives very
successful, but always a challenge to keep it going.
• Many voices, no consistent message for all: very
committed people, but lacking a consistent message.
Our Needs:
• Create a structure that is organized, purposeful
and sustaining.
• Engage our invested stake holders.
• Implement at a state level and national level.
The PLAN:
Objective 1 – Create the structure:
1. Define a mission that is uniting
2. Provide options for involvement – the 3 As
3. Establish a model, agendas, process
Objective 2 – Engage Stakeholders:
1. Review internal and external stakeholders
2. Consider individual interest level and history of involvement
3. Invite to orientation meeting
Objective 3 – Implement the plan:
1. Establish local Team – guidelines/schedule/agendas/minutes
2. Follow through – recognize successes
3. Expand throughout the state
The Result: A TEAM!
MISSION: To ignite the passion and energy of persons
with disabilities and their families…….
• to advocate in a grassroots efforts
• create awareness in the community
• advise those who care for our citizens with
special needs to ensure service choices are
protected and sustained.
What makes an A TEAM?
The 3 As :
ADVOCACY:
Organize efforts to promote the rights of individuals
with disabilities.
•
•
•
•
Legislative meetings/communications
Visit the Capitol
Action Alerts
Petition drives
What makes an A TEAM?
The 3 As:
AWARENESS:
Promote the accomplishments and everyday
challenges overcome by persons with disabilities
and their family members to ensure their authentic
stories are shared throughout the community.
• Social Media
• Video Testimonials
• Radio Promotion
What makes an A TEAM?
The 3 As :
ADVISEMENT:
Provide peer support and organizational feedback to
meet the current and future needs of persons with
disabilities.
• Establish a Grassroots Advocacy Website
• Network, fellowship, community involvement
• Team meetings, state association events, forums
A TEAM Wisconsin!
• 9 Chapters (14 Rehab Organizations collaborating)
• Committed to A TEAM Guidelines - one voice!
• State wide Network – social media, conference calls,
and annual events
Our A TEAM Success: Wisconsin
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
3 DAY at the CAPITOL events: over 75 legislative visits – welcome presentations
2014 and 2015 from Lt. Governor of Wisconsin
State Petition Campaigns over 6000 signatures
Established My Work. My Choice. Campaign: engaged self-advocates to
promote their choices for work, home and life in a positive and simple way.
Theme song.
State wide Grassroots event over 400 united. National advocate Evelyne Villines.
Federal legislator letter writing campaign/post card campaign over 3000.
Voice your Choice Tour – 11 stops, over 700 rallied, nearly 3000 voices to DHS.
Over the road public relations with A TEAM Mobile Unit.
MacIver Institute Promotion and Partnership
Over 50 Legislative Tours across the state My Work. My Choice.
Big Win!!! Wisconsin DHS commitment to protecting a full array of choices in
the state – official letter to Center for Medicaid Services.
http://ateamwisconsin.org
A TEAM Success: Next Steps
• National expansion – A TEAM Nevada!
• Excitement growing around the country – model fits within
non-profit structure, ensures sustainability
• Tool Kit/Webinar – to be released this year
• Pursuit for financial support – foundation/other
• Building partnership Source America/ACCSES
Thank you!
For more information on the A TEAM , please join us at the
Continental Breakfast 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Tuesday, January 13th 2015
www.ateamwisconsin.org
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
-Helen Keller