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NC Advocacy Leaders Network

The focus of this initiative is to establish and maintain an organized network of developmental disabilities advocacy leaders made up of North Carolinians who are graduates from state and nationally recognized advocacy and leadership development programs. In its first year, the initiative was coordinated by Akalaka co., with partners the NC Family Support Program, and Community Bridges Consulting Group. The investment by the NCCDD to Akalaka co. started October 2023 and ended September 2024. NCCDD continues to support the intiative.

Sytems Gap Addresses

Goal 3 of the Five Year Plan: Increase advocacy

North Carolina does not have an organized network of developmental disabilities advocacy leaders made up of North Carolinians that are graduates from state and nationally recognized advocacy and leadership development programs, including: Partners in Policymaking©, Advancing Strong Leadership, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Related Disabilities, Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility, Ability Leadership Project of NC, and NC IDD Peer Mentor Training. Other non-disability specific innovative leadership training programs (e.g., The Council on Quality and Leadership) will be considered.

What are the major goals and objectives?

  • Establish, maintain, and engage an NC Advocacy Leaders Network made up of North Carolinian graduates of state and nationally recognized advocacy and leadership development programs.
  • In collaboration with the NCCDD, establish and maintain the customer relationship management (CRM) data collection system to record and track network member contact and related information, continued education experiences, and advocacy activity.
  • Keep informed of the Council’s Five-Year State Plan goals and public policy priorities for continued education and engagement opportunities for network members.
  • Establish the NC Advocacy Leaders Network as a shared benefit and shared investment for NC orgs, entities, etc. that need well-trained/informed, and savvy advocates including individuals with IDD/self-advocates, parents, family members, and other stakeholders to advance advocacy priorities.

What activities will this initiative set out to do?

  • Recruit North Carolinian graduates of state and nationally recognized advocacy and leadership development programs.
  • Maintain regular contact with network members to:
    1. Continuously build members confidence in reliability of the network;
    2. Keep members informed of disability-related news;
    3. Continuously build upon member skills and knowledge;
    4. Actively work to strengthen member relationships with network coordinators and the NCCDD; and
    5. Connect members with other advocacy organizations and opportunities.
  • Coordinate and implement a minimum of 6 virtual gatherings of the network as “getting to know you” experiences and to set the foundation for future events involving continuing education, advocacy, engagement, or information sharing.

What are the initiative's achievements to date?

  • Developed a webpage, 1-page flyer and email that offers a concise overview of the initiative, including website and contact details. The website was moved from Akalaka co. to NCCDD in December 2024. (https://nccdd.org/get-involved/nc-advocacy-leaders-network-collaborative)
  • Provided introduction presentation of the initiative and recruitment message at 2 statewide events.
  • Developed a revised workplan.
  • Community Bridges Consulting Group (CBCG) Implemented and facilitated 3 Listening Sessions.
  • 1st Event on July 31st: Navigating Our Present – I/DD Advocacy Challenges & Experiences. 24 Leadership Network members participated.
  • 2nd Listening Session event was held on September 3rd: Path to Progress: Member Needs and Expectations.31 Leadership Network members participated.
  • 3rd and final Listening Session Event held on September 18th: “Forward Thinking – Creating Future Directions”.
  • 25 Leadership Network members participated.
  • 3 of 4 ECHO Sessions were held: September 6th, September 13th, and September 20th. The September 27th ECHO session was cancelled due to weather and will be rescheduled.
  • 19 Network Leaders attended session 1; 18 Network Leaders attended session 2; 18 Network Leaders attended session 3.
  • Case reviews included how to advocate to provider and behavioral health personnel that Innovations services are essential to living independently; support with navigating the system; doing statewide advocacy on needs of youth in crisis; support to transition to independent living; and advocating to ADVP for teaching independent daily living skills.
  • Special presentation preceding case discussion included Introductory Didactic Session, Depths of Advocacy: Deriving, Driving, and Deciding to Care, Self-Advocacy in the Workplace.

Who can I contact for questions?

NCCDD: Melissa Swartz, Systems Change Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Additional Resources

NC Advocacy Leaders Network website: https://nccdd.org/get-involved/nc-advocacy-leaders-network-collaborative

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