Advocare

Fall 2007

A Publication of the West Virginia Advocates, Inc.

WVA Staff Serve on National Disability Rights Network Board of Directors and Resource Advisory Committee

WVA is pleased to announce the election of Susan Given, Program Director to the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) Board of Directors, and the appointment of Jodi Calissie, Data Report Specialist to NDRN's Resource Advocacy Committee

Since 1977, WVA has been designated by the Governor as West Virginia's part of the national, federally mandated Protection and Advocacy System for individuals with disabilities. The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) provides training, technical assistance, legal support and legislative advocacy to state P&A's. The NDRN is the membership organization for the Protection and Advocacy network, and collectively with state P&A's is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States. The membership of NDRN is a collaborative force for positive change in the national disability community.

Ms. Given is one of only 17 members of the National Board of Directors elected by the membership to govern the National Disability Rights Network. A recognized advocate for children and adults with disabilities and their families, Ms Given has been employed by West Virginia Advocates since 2000. As Program Director at WVA, Ms. Given oversees eight federal programs and one state contract. Ms. Given has represented WVA on various disability rights related councils, work groups and committees in West Virginia, as well as, serving on NDRN's Resource Advocacy Committee. Participation on NDRN's Board of Directors will enhance Ms. Given's and the West Virginia Advocates ongoing advocacy and commitment to equal rights for individuals with disabilities.

Ms. Calissie, appointed to NDRN's Resource Advocacy Committee (RAC), has been employed by WVA since 2002. As WVA's Data Report Specialist, she is responsible for the oversight of WVA's intake department, as well as the Disability Advocacy Database (DAD) and coordinating annual reporting to WVA's Federal grantors. The purpose of the RAC is to advise NDRN's Training and Advocacy Support Center in identifying training and technical assistance needs of, and resources for the membership to enhance their ability to provide timely, accurate, responsive and effective resource advocacy services such as Information and Referral, Short Term Assistance and Technical Assistance. The RAC guides NDRN's membership toward quality services, emphasizing the importance of customer satisfaction in efforts to assure that the services provided directly relate to what was requested and that services are delivered effectively. Ms. Calissie's participation on the RAC is seen as a great resource to WVA in its efforts to continually improve and ensure quality services to our callers.

WVA and the NDRN both advocate equality of opportunity, choice, self determination and full participation for individuals with disabilities by guarding against abuse; advocating for basic rights; and ensuring accountability in health care, education, employment, housing, transportation, and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Together, the NDRN and its membership work to create a society in which individuals with disabilities are afforded equality of opportunity and are able to fully participate by exercising choice and self determination.