We support people to attend legislative and other meetings and we prepare them with talking points and practice. We pay for transportation directly and figure out how pay for food if they don't have money. This always requires creativity! We only give stipends if they are on official Council business, which is not very often.

We aslo sponsor conferences and educational events but organizers must use funds to offset costs for self-advocates and family members to attend. The funds may not be used to pay for other costs related to putting on the events. I've attached the sponsorship agreement for this. We have an ad hoc committee that decides whether to fund requests based on the goals and objectives in our state plan. Only those that align get funded.

Hope this helps!

Jaime

On Thu, Apr 18, 2019 at 10:44 AM McCain, Kellie (DD Council) <xxxxxx@ky.gov> wrote:

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