Parent to Parent of Colorado Public Policy
Parents meet with Senators and Representatives
at the Colorado State Capitol each year to advocate
for legislative changes for people with disabilities.
At P2P, we endeavor to keep you abreast the legislative and public policy issues that affect our sons and daughters. Several years ago, during the legislative session parents decided that they would identify each other by carrying a RED NOTEBOOK or folder with a picture of their child on the front. This not only identifies parents to each other, but we use the picture of our child to put a face on the issues we wanted to talk to legislators about.
The concept grew, and now P2P staff will let you know when we will be at a meeting, a conference, a legislative session, a resource fair, or a disability specific function. Where there is a need for family involvement look for information on our Online Parent Support Groups and the title: RED NOTEBOOK OPPORTUNITY
The hope is that we can start identifying each other out in the community…for support and action. See you around!
P2P-Policy: This online list serve is for parents who desire to receive policy alerts, notices of policy meetings and to discuss issues of public policy with regard to disability.
If you want to join this list serve, email your request to infop2p@abilityconnectioncolorado.org. Be sure to include your yahoo email address!
“I knew that there was legislation going on that had to be impacting our lives (given what I see in the news). I knew that checking with P2P would be my best bet in getting the real story. First I read about the cuts and went to bed extremely depressed. This morning I got on the list serv again and read the news about the bill. It gives me hope that we can make a difference in these very important issues. “
THANK YOU, P2P mom
Public Policy Resources
To find who your legislators are, enter your zip-code and 4 digit extension at www.votesmart.org. To reach your Congress person toll free, call 1-800-928-8084
Partners in Policymaking provides online advocacy courses to educate participants to be active partners with those who make policy
Get Engaged Congress.org is a non-partisan website dedicated to building a knowledge base for professionals wishing to better engage their communities.
MegaVote is a subscription service that will send you an email about how your Representative and Senator voted on legislation.
Want to make a difference closer to home? Consider joining a committee, board, or council! Most public agencies have a requirement to gather input from stakeholder groups. Some of the groups you may consider, depending on your interest, are listed below:
Colorado Department of Education Special Advisory Committees:
Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC) This is a state level committee mandated by federal and state law. Members are interested in the quality of education received by children/youth with disabilities.
Colorado. Interagency Coordinating Council This council is mandated by federal law and is appointed by the governor to advise and assist the lead agency to implement the requirements of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education (SACPIE) A State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education that will review best practices and recommend to policy makers and educators strategies to increase parent involvement in public education, thereby helping to improve the quality of public education and raise the level of students’ academic achievement throughout the state.
Also check your local school district for Special Education Advisory Committees!
Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing:
Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is the designated agency for Medicaid in Colorado. It oversees all of the adult and child waivers as well as the Department for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) At this critical time for health care reform in Colorado, it is essential that the Department receive effective and appropriate participation from its community partners. In an effort to enhance and streamline communication between the Department and its stakeholders, the Boards and Committees structure provides an advocacy group model that allows stakeholders an opportunity to work directly with Department staff on issues that impact clients and stakeholders. The three primary goals for the new structure are to: assist new and existing stakeholder groups to be successful by providing necessary tools; create a new and efficient structure that melds into the existing Department operation; and offer tools for effective and efficient communication between stakeholders and Department staff. Visit this webpage for a list of all committees as well as directions on how to apply for membership
Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council:
The mission of the CDDC is to advocate in collaboration with and on behalf of people with developmental disabilities for the establishment and implementation of public policy which will further their independence, productivity, and integration. The Council meets regularly and also operates several subcommittees.
Colorado Department of Human Services:
The Colorado Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council (MHPAC) was created as a result of federal laws passed in 1986 and 1992 which require States and Territories to perform mental health planning in order to receive federal Mental Health Block Grant funds. The laws further require that stakeholders, including mental health consumers, their family members, and parents of children with serious emotional or behavioral disturbances, must be involved in these planning efforts through membership in the planning and advisory council.
Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation:
Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) Advocating on behalf of the consumer, the main goal of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) is to promote a strong independent living program that can benefit individuals with disabilities and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation’s (DVR) mission. The SILC membership represents a broad-based constituency of individuals with disabilities, private agencies and public agencies, and private business. The SILC enhances independent living, consumer control, peer support, equality, individual and systems advocacy. The SILC works closely with DVR to develop the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). It also works in conjunction with the Association of Colorado Centers for Independent Living (ACCIL) to accomplish the goals that are recognized in the state plan and to provide technical support.
State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) The purpose of the SRC is to review analyze, and advise the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation regarding the performance of its responsibilities under the Rehabilitation Act. Members of the SRC are appointed by the Governor and represent diverse ethnic and geographical locations. The majority of SRC members must be individuals with disabilities, including family members, advocates, and others who represent a broad spectrum of interests, including usiness and industry. The SRC works in partnership with DVR to develop and review the Division’s annual goals and priorities, evaluate the effectiveness of DVR’s vocational rehabilitation.
