Objective 2.1: To support the systems change necessary to allow expansion of services to underserved populations.

 

 

 

Goal: Increase the number of self-advocates trained and active in self-advocacy activities and organizations

 

          Objective 3.1:  To increase the number of Native American People Frist Chapters in the state and increase the number of self-advocates trained and prepared to take advocacy leadership roles through the state.

 

Center for Self-Advocacy
Over the past year, the NMDDPC has relocated the Center for Self-Advocacy to its own office location where individuals with developmental disabilities congregate to develop training modules and practice their presentation skills so that they may then travel state-wide to present these modules to other individuals with developmental disabilities.

Native American People First
The NMDDPC is in collaboration with the Center for Self Advocacy (CSA) and the Arc of New Mexico to coordinate the formation of at least four Native American People First Chapters located on at least one Reservation and at least three Pueblos. Once the potential members have been identified, barriers facing each potential People First Chapter will be outlined and practical solutions will be compiled. The goal of the project is to provide assistance to the potential People First Chapters through the initial stages of the project’s life. The newly formed Native American People First Chapters will receive assistance in developing leadership and community involvement skills for its members. The CSA will provide training to the members in areas such as Leadership, Sitting on Boards and Committees and other topics of interest. Once these People First Chapters have been established, the identity of other potential areas for Native American People First Chapters on pueblos and reservations will be researched. 

 

          Objective 3.2:  To increase participation of people with disabilities and family members in decision making bodies concerning development, implementation and evaluation of services and programs.

 

In-State Family and Self-Advocates Conference Stipends
During FFY 2008, the NMDDPC provided funding for in-state conferences addressing issues affecting persons with developmental disabilities and their families.  People with disabilities and their family members were able to attend conferences sponsored by the Center for Development and Disability (CDD) and the ARC of New Mexico.
 
Southwest Disabilities Conference Stipends
The NMDDPC collaborates with the Center for Development and Disability and annually awards stipends for the Southwest Disabilities Conference.  The conference was held on October 3rd through 5th 2008 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.  The theme for the conference was Reaching Out and Taking Charge: Promoting Independent Living in the Community.  There were 535 attendees from 18 states and three countries who attended the conference.  These stipends continue to provide an avenue for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to network with and learn from other persons with developmental disabilities and their families.

 

Pueblo Connections Family Conference
The NMDDPC collaborated with the Center for Development and Disability (CDD) and awarded stipends for the Pueblo Connections Family Conference.  It was held on September 5th – 7th, 2008.  This conference provided families the opportunity to be together as a family and an opportunity for parents/family members to meet and receive support from other families who may have shared the same struggles and triumphs.  The ultimate goal was to give parents/families practical skills to enhance all aspects of the lives of individuals with disabilities and the family as a whole.  Skills in advocacy for services for individuals with disabilities in the education system, health care system or the community were the primary goals of the conference.  Thirty (30) families, which include 106 family members, were able to attend this conference with NMDDPC’s stipend support.

 

 

Guardianship Study - House Joint Memorial 34/House Memorial 6
Recommendations from our Guardianship Task Force are being considered by the state Legislature related to changes to various statutes. The Task Force began its work in 2007 based on a House Joint Memorial sponsored by Rep. Jim Trujillo of Santa Fe, and completed it’s recommendations in 2008. The Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) convened the Task Force under both Memorials, and logistical support was provided by the Protection & Advocacy System (P&A) pursuant to a contract from the DDPC. The invited representatives included:
     • the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Adult Protective Services Division of the Aging and Long-term
     • Services Department, the Department of Health, the Attorney General’s Office, other appropriate state agencies,
     • New Mexico district court judges,
     • the New Mexico Guardianship Association,
     • the Protection and Advocacy System,
     • the Senior Citizens Law Office,
     • individual and corporate guardians, elders, individuals with disabilities,
     • advocates or other representatives of elders or adults with disabilities and other interested individuals to serve on the Task Force.

 

After two years of research and discussions, the Guardianship Task Force was clear that New Mexico needs a comprehensive program or system addressing the qualification, appointment and oversight of guardians of adults with limited capacity.  Unfortunately, we do not have such a comprehensive system, and we are missing a few very critical pieces altogether, such as active monitoring of private/family guardians and training and support for everyone involved in guardianship matters. The Task Force presented specific recommendations for short-term and long-term action that will take the state, step-by-step, toward a comprehensive program in the long run. The Task Force believes we must take the opportunity to begin developing a system for oversight that would prevent problems, or address individual situations that may already have become calamitous without our knowledge.

 

The Legislature is considering improvements from the Task Force in the interaction of different statutes related to guardianship, including amending the: 
     • Uniform Health Care Decisions Act
     • Mental Health Care Treatment Decisions Act
     • Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code
     • Probate Code  

A common change among all these and other statutes is to replace the use of “ward” with “protected person” for the adult or emancipated minor for whom a guardian has been appointed.

 

The Probate Code already reflects a commitment to protection of the rights of incapacitated adults, although there are many areas where the Code can be improved and strengthened. There are many individual judges who are creative and diligent in providing oversight of guardians, and there are many other players throughout the state working hard to make the system function. Although the Task Force focused on guardianship issues as called for in the Memorials, many of the issues addressed in the Final Report apply equally to Conservatorships (related to property and the estate), and further work in
that area is also warranted.

 

The Task Force’s Final Report with findings and recommendations is available upon request, and is on our website under “Special Initiatives” at: http://www.nmddpc.com/office-of-guardianship.

 

With the projected aging of New Mexico’s population, the number of persons who will be involved in guardianship proceedings in one way or another is going to continue to grow.  Additionally, other specific populations are growing, including brain injuries, veterans, homeless, and children becoming adults with possible need for guardianship.

 

See Special Initiatives to view final reports.

 

 

          Objective 3.3:  Develop a Grass-Roots Netowrk to increas advocacy; conduct local needs assessments; and develope a state-level advocacy effort addressing all areas of emphasis

Disability Coalition
NMDDPC and the Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc., provided the majority of funding for the Disability Coalition. The Disability Coalition developed and presented materials and recommendations to administrative & legislative committees on disability issues and the State Medicaid system. The Disability Coalition is comprised of NM Protection and Advocacy, Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, Independent Living Resource Centers, ARC of New Mexico and NMDDPC. The Coalition’s principal focus is educating legislators and addressing the importance of fully funding programs for persons with disabilities.

 

Grassroots Organizing Project
 NMDDPC implemented a Grassroots Information Network Project with four objectives:
1) to form a communication conduit to inform Council members on statewide issues,
2) to inform local communities of opportunities for training and information concerning persons with disabilities and their families,
3) to assist in organizing local communities to address issues regarding persons with disabilities in their local communities,
4) to mobilize people with disabilities and their families to participate in the development of policies, regulations and statutes impacting the lives of persons with disabilities and their families.
 

NMDDPC continues to hold public forums across the state to inform the public of NMDDPC activities and to solicit input regarding systems issues affecting persons with developmental disabilities and their families. In collaboration with the Arc of New Mexico, NMDDPC held five public forums in FY08. The forums were held in Albuquerque, Anthony, Espanola, Farmington and Farmington. The feedback is being compiled and will be presented to NMDDPC members to assist in the evaluation of the NMDDPC’s current Five Year Plan in April of 2009.

 

 

Goal: Develop supports that encourage and facilitate full participation of individuals and family members in all aspects of community life.

 

          Objective 4.1: To adequately provide access to consistent, current, correct and user-friendly information about all available services.

 

          Objective 4.2: To build a sustainable, sufficient, qualified, direct-care work force.

          Objective 4.3: To enhance social networks for adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities.