Hello everybody, it’s time for summer and all the fun that goes with it. CDRC had a busy and productive May. We’ll tell you all about it in this edition. We apologize for the delay in getting the newsletter to you but there have been some big changes around the office!!!!!

 

BIG NEWS!!

 

The Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council) has asked CDRC to write a continuation proposal for year 6. We will be submitting the proposal in late August. First we will meet with our Board Of Leadership to discuss the details and then with the full CDRC membership in July to get their input as well. We have contracted with our friend Barbara McCord to assist CDRC in writing the proposal for the Council. She seems excited to be working with us and has always been a big supporter of CDRC. Barbara will also be trying to find other funding for CDRC to continue working for YOU.

 

CDRC Olmstead Training

 

Hopefully everyone knows by now that CDRC is hosting a two part Olmstead themed training in June & July. Part 1 is scheduled for June 16th and part 2 will be July 14th. This Saturday sessions will be Legislative Advocacy with guest speakers Cecil/Harford County Delegate Dan Reiley and Maryland Non-Profits’ Henry Bogdan. They’ll teach us how to talk with our elected officials about important issues and what does or does not work when trying to work with legislators. The afternoon session is, “The Olmstead Decision” is being presented by national speaker Tom Nerney of the National Center for Self Determination. Tom will have a presentation and will facilitate an open discussion. Tom is great speaker and this should be a really awesome day!

 

In July, the training will teach participants how to speak to officials and how to use technology to advocate. Speakers will be Susan Ellsworth of Toastmasters (they teach people how to speak in public), and Michael Dalto of the Maryland Technology Assistance Program (M TAP). This should also be a great day of education. There is still room if you’d like to attend the July training but you should register RIGHT AWAY! Registration forms are on our web site home page at the bottom. http://thecdrc.org/index_files/training_flyer.htm, http://thecdrc.org/index_files/training_registration_form.htm. C U There!

 

Right To Be Informed

 

Things are starting to move along for the implementation of CDRC’s bill from the 2005 Legislative session, The Right to Be Informed (RRBI).  State regulations that were created as a result of the bill go into effect June 18, 2007.  At our last meeting we discussed what type of materials we thought would help individuals learn about their most integrated service options. 

An example would be develop a series of pamphlets that people can take away with them. The pamphlets will be developed for different audiences and to cover different types of services; residential, day and recreational/social.  Also, a picture booklet is being developed for easier understanding. We have also discussed making a DVD showing the different types of services someone can receive. Our next meeting is early June.

 

Bill Signing Photo with Governor O’Malley 

 

CDRC members and our new friends from People Connect who testified and attended the Close Rosewood and The Money Follows the Individual - State Residential Centers bill hearings in Annapolis during the 2007 Legislative Session were able to get their picture taken with Maryland’s new Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. Because of the late notice from the Governor’s office regarding the bill signing opportunity with the Governor, CDRC members and other advocates were not able to attend. As everyone in the disability community knows, things take a little longer and more then 18 hours is needed to set up transportation.  CDRC was able to arrange a make up date for the bill signing photo. We would like to thank everybody that worked on this piece of legislation to get it passed. The pictures can be viewed on our website at http://thecdrc.org/photos/photos_files/recent_photos.htm,

 

Disability Expo

 The Disability Expo was held at the Timonium Fairgrounds last month.  They had a lot of great products for everyone to try out. CDRC, and Maryland ADAPT both had tables at the Expo. again this year. CDRC received a lot of good questions from people attending at the Expo.  Thanks to all of the CDRC members that worked our table.

Court Ordered Forensic Symposium

 

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene along with the Developmental Disabilities Coalition Hosted a two day conference focused on the court ordered forensic population in Maryland (in other words, the people at Rosewood and other facilities who are there because of legal issues). Attendees at the conference were judges, lawyers, resource coordinators, other professionals, and advocates. The conference brought in people from the states of Minnesota and Vermont to discuss how they handle their forensic population rather then locking them away in institutions. We heard some great ideas about how they handle their forensic population.  For example, Minnesota has a place for their court ordered forensic population where they receive extensive treatment for the crimes they have committed.  The average stay in the facility is 18 months.  Community providers for these individuals have come up with innovative ways to support them.  As you know, one of the most used arguments to keep Rosewood open is “What do we do with the court ordered individuals?” Hopefully, Maryland’s officials got some insight as to how to answer this question at the symposium.

 

CDRC Welcomes New Assistant Lianna Brown

CDRC interviewed several people last month for the position of assistant to CDRC Leadership. We would like to thank all of the people who took the time to apply for the position and took the time to participate in the interview process. All were good candidates with unique abilities to offer. In the end, John & Kenny hired Lianna Brown as the new Assistant to CDRC Leadership. She will be starting June 11th and will be attending the training on June 16th. Lianna will be in the office two days a week and can be reached at John’s old phone number (410-571-9320 X39 Annapolis, 410-974-6139 X39 Baltimore, 1-888-272-3449 X39 toll free). Unfortunately Lianna doesn’t have an e-mail address yet but we’re working on it. We are glad to have her on board and every CDRC member should expect to hear from her soon. Please introduce yourselves when you meet her.

 

Web Site

Kenny will continue to update our web page weekly.  He will be updating the site with some photos from recent events soon!!! Also remember to check the Calendar for CDRC activities! Please visit the site often to stay on top of what CDRC into these days. www.thecdrc.org

 

Next CDRC Membership Meeting:

July 22
3501 Russett Common
Laurel, MD 20724
1:00 – 4:00