Family Leadership and Advocacy

Family Leadership and Advocacy

Family Voices 

Our partner, Family Voices of Wisconsin, has information on their website on how to advocate, including attending Advocacy for Change at the Capitol and becoming a part of the Family Action Network: familyvoiceswi.org/family_leadership/

Have you ever thought about joining a committee or board to make a difference for children?  

  • Serving on Groups that Make Decisions is an opportunity to learn more about how to be active on committees and boards: ServingOnGroups.org
  • Family Voices has a list of state-Level Committees and Councils that Include Families and Focus on Children and Families, Disabilities, and/or Long Term Support here: familyvoiceswi.org/family_leadership/

Other Ways to Advocate, as well as learn about legislation and policy

  • The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities BPDD Partners in Policymaking Training: a six-session advocacy and systems change training program designed to develop a group of future leaders across the state who can work with legislators and communities on policies and initiatives that will support the full participation and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life. Partners in Policymaking is designed for adults with developmental disabilities and family members of children and youth with developmental disabilities, ages birth to 21. wi-bpdd.org/index.php/partners-in-policymaking/
  • The Genetic Alliance “engages individuals, families, and communities to transform health”. You can view their website here.
  • Advocacy for Change: an opportunity to connect with legislators in Madison along with other families. Occurs every spring. 
  • Survival Coalition: The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations is a cross-disability coalition of more than 40 state and local organizations and groups. For more than 20 years, Survival has been focused on changing and improving policies and practices that support people with disabilities of all ages to be full participants in community life. You can sign up for their email alerts on their website.
  • Connect with your local Center for Independent Living. Wisconsin ILCs are community-based, consumer-directed, not-for-profit organizations, serving persons of any age with any disabilities in all 72 counties. Unique in the world of human services, ILCs are governed and operated by a board and staff composed of a majority of people with disabilities. All ILCs provide five core services, which include: Information and Referral, Peer Support, Individual and Systems Advocacy, and Integration to Community life for people with significant disabilities. A list of the 8 centers in Wisconsin are listed here: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disabilities/physical/ilcs-contact.htm
  • The Arc of Wisconsin also hosts webinars and call-in meetings to provide up to date information for families on current policy changes: arcwi.org/public-policy/. 

 

Connecting Families– Waisman Center, UW Madison  connectingfamilies.waisman.wisc.edu/, supports active parent groups as well as work with parents to create support group opportunities.