If you are passionate about making a change that will improve the lives of people with disabilities in your community, apply for a SPARKS Grant!

The purpose of SPARKS Grants is to develop local grassroots groups that will work on identified changes in their communities through grassroots community organizing. Grassroots community organizing means groups collaborating for positive community change for individuals with disabilities on issues that are important to them. The innovative methods SPARKS Grants ignite are intended to lead to systems change that improves the lives of people with disabilities. SPARKS Grants are availableto people with disabilities and family members in Wisconsin.

Priorities for 2013 SPARKS Grants include, but are not limited to, projects that focus on: Get Out The Vote (GOTV), state legislative issues, and local advocacy activities. Individual grants range from $500 to $3,000. Projects will begin no later than October 1, 2013 and should be completed by September 30, 2014.

To apply for a SPARKS Grant, complete and submit the SPARKS Grants Application and Budget Worksheet. The deadline to apply is 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2013.

SPARKS Grants are funded by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. More information about SPARKS Grants is available.

Please forward this message to parties who might be interested in applying for a SPARKS Grant.

Self-advocates and family members of a person with a developmental disability (DD) who want to improve their leadership skills are encouraged to apply for Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2013.

Partners is a six-session advocacy and systems change training program designed to develop future leaders who will work with legislators and communities on policies and initiatives that support the full participation and inclusion of people with DD. Nationwide, close to 15,000 graduates are part of a growing network of community leaders and decision makers serving on policymaking committees, commissions, and boards at local, state, and national levels.

The program is designed for (A) adults with DD, (B) parents, grandparents, or primary caregivers of children under the age of 21 with DD, and (C) siblings of individuals with DD. Applicants should be highly motivated to create more inclusive communities.

The six sessions will be held in Madison between November 2013 and May 2014. Each session begins at 1 p.m. on Friday and concludes at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

This program is an initiative of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD). BPDD covers all costs associated with the program, including the training, lodging, meals, and materials. More information about the program is available.

Those interested in participating must submit an application packet by September 1, 2013.

If you have questions about Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking, contact John Shaw at john1.shaw@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-7707.

WE NEED YOUR INPUT! Help Shape the 2014 Wisconsin Employment First Conference

Mark Thursday, April 3rd, 2014 on your calendars! Wisconsin will host its first statewide Employment First Conference at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and Wisconsin Association for Persons Supporting Employment First (APSE) , along with many other organizations, will join together to host a conference that will help us get closer to achieving our statewide goal of doubling the number of people with disabilities in Integrated Employment by 2016!

Our goal is that everyone leaves this conference feeling empowered with knowledge, skills and tools to use when you are back in the challenges of the real world! In order to accomplish this goal we need your input. Please got to the following survey monkey link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SN9GKCZ and complete the brief survey. In addition to providing input on key activities and topics to include in the conference, you have a chance to win an awesome prize if you come up with the best title for this conference!

The conference is for anyone interested in community employment for people with disabilities, including people with disabilities, families, long term care providers (Family Care and IRIS), Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Employment providers, state agency staff (DVR, DHS, DPI), schools , service coordinators and employers. A variety of topics will be addressed, including: Employment First policy and practice, Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) re-balancing Efforts, best practices in job development and job coaching, innovative employment practices happening in Wisconsin, employment and youth in transition, self -directed supports and employment, natural supports in the work environment, and much more!

If you have any questions please contact: Ann Sievert, WI-BPDD, 608-267-9897 or ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov<mailto:ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov>.