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Growing a Grassroots Advocacy Movement in Nevada

The Arc is happy to announce the launch of the “Growing a Grassroots Advocacy Movement” project in Nevada! This exciting new opportunity is being funded by the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. The Arc in Nevada will work to develop long-term capacity for advocates to have input and impact on issues of importance to people with developmental disabilities and their families.

With the launch of this new program, The Arc will have a statewide presence in Nevada for the first time since the mid-nineties. The project will train individuals with developmental disabilities and family members on how to impact disability policy at the local, regional and state levels, culminating in a grassroots campaign.

The training, called Partners Plus, will be conducted across the state, targeting graduates of previous Nevada Partners in Policymaking classes. This project will work to train people with disabilities and their families (parents, siblings, grandparents, other family members), primarily those who have previously completed the original Partner in Policymaking classes. Participants from The Arc in Nevada’s programs will develop a legislative advocacy platform with specific actions during the 2013 Nevada legislative session. In an effort to develop lasting impact of the trainings, some participants will work to train others in their local communities, involving advocates at all levels in the execution of the legislative platform and advocacy agenda.

In addition to the Partners Plus program, The Arc in Nevada will expand efforts to support individuals with IDD and their families through new chapter recruitment, grassroots advocacy development, and collaborative efforts with communities across Nevada.

This project will be staffed by a new member of The Arc team, Nicole Schomberg. Nicole has expertise in advocate engagement and community outreach. Most recently, Nicole worked to coordinate previous Partners in Policymaking programs in the state. Additionally, Nicole is a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, and has extensive experience working with families and self-advocates in Nevada.