Kellie – We went a different route than we had when I started.  We fund only our Council Members to go to conferences and other activities in or out of state and as approved by our Executive Committee. 

All self-advocacy conferences go through our grant for the statewide initiative and they have an application process that is competitive.  They also are required to report back to the group on what they learned.  Otherwise, our $$$ are given out for in-state conferences on a request basis and if there are expenses then they can apply to the conference grantee for a scholarship.  We do not fund conferences that are not held in SC although some folks to attend national conferences or regional ones.

We found that when we paid for folks we didn’t know or who weren’t connected to one of our activities or grants that we had nothing to report on quality, content or  how the information could be and was used to make changes in SC. 

Val

Valarie Bishop

Director Developmental Disabilities Council

Office of Executive Policy and Programs

The South Carolina

Department of Administration

1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 461, Columbia, SC 29201

(803) 734-0215 | (803) 734-0241 (fax)

The South Carolina Department of Administration (admin) serves the citizens of South Carolina and agency partners by leading innovative efforts to provide secure, cost-effective, responsive and standardized services.

From: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com <xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com> On Behalf Of McCain, Kellie (DD Council)
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2019 1:44 PM
To: xxxxxx@nacdd.simplelists.com
Cc: Hicks, Jennifer (DD Council) <xxxxxx@ky.gov>; Tudor, Carol (DD Council) <xxxxxx@ky.gov>
Subject: [External] DD Councils Supporting Self-Advocates to events

Hello all,

Council here approved funding to support self-advocates to attend trainings, town halls, and other events concerning DD issues, however, we do not have a protocol to access the funds. In the past, there have been funds for folks to attend conferences and such, but I understand it was very poorly managed and people were taking advantage of the system (conferences in Florida anyone?).

The intent is to have a process and criteria that will really help self-advocates to get to things that are important such as Medicaid town hall meetings, or community conversations and 1 day seminars. I think it pertinent to have restrictions as some have asked us to rent passenger vans and buses. This is to reimburse mileage, lodging if needed and meals.

Does anyone have any protocols they would be willing to share?

Thanks so much! Appreciate you all.

Kellie I. McCain, M.A.

Executive Director

Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities

656 Chamberlain Ave., Suite C

Frankfort, KY 40601

P 502-782-8601