Leadership Development and Advocacy Skills Training
[two_third]Statewide Need
There is a continued need for the development of training programs and resources to assist Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families learn leadership and advocacy skills. To do this, leadership development and advocacy skills training programs must exist in many different areas around the state. Because it is unlikely that any one organization can provide enough funding to meet the demand, it is imperative that organizations that offer this kind of training work with others. This type of collaboration can help to increase the number of identified leadership development and advocacy training programs that are able to provide culturally appropriate training for individuals with IDD.
Project Goal
Provide activities to promote the development of advanced leadership and advocacy skills in youth with IDD who need continued support and training to enable participation in school and non-disability community organizations. Establish a peer-to-peer mentoring component to Paso Del Norte’s Leadership Academy for Families program.
Project Summary
Paso Del Norte developed working partnerships with school and non-disability organizations to provide training, technical assistance, and support to assist them in becoming more sensitive and accommodating to the needs of young people with IDD.
A partnership with Volar, the Independent Living Center, and other organizations led to the development of a peer-to-peer mentoring program for young people to learn from successful adult leaders with IDD. Paso Del Norte developed and implemented a culturally-appropriate leadership development and advocacy curriculum and training. Youth with IDD were recruited to participate in the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) and peer-to-peer mentoring program through a partnership with local school districts.
Advanced leadership and advocacy training and peer-to-peer mentoring were provided to 30 young people with IDD to develop the skills and self-confidence to participate in school and non-disability community organizations. Participants took part in over a dozen trainings and community events including a mentor and facilitator training.
A customer satisfaction tool was used to evaluate whether participants were satisfied with activities and whether appropriate measures were taken to accommodate the needs of YLF participants. Overall, 82% of delegates rated the entire YLF 2012 experience as either excellent or very good.
- Impact
- 30 young people with IDD received advanced leadership and advocacy training and peer-to-peer mentoring
- Participants in YLF attended 14 trainings and community events
- 82% of delegates rated the entire YLF 2012 experience as either excellent or very good
- Participants learned about and became more confident in advocacy and leadership
- Participants learned about resources and organizations available to students with IDD as well as financial aid and attending college
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Project Period
Oct 2011 – Sep 2013
Contact
1101 E. Schuster Ave.
El Paso, TX 79902
915-544-8484
Website
Geographic Reach
El Paso County
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