Youth Leadership & Advocacy Training
1 Statewide and 3 Local/Regional Youth Leadership Projects
TCDD awarded three grant projects in June and July 2006 to develop local/regional youth leadership development and advocacy training projects across Texas. A state-level training project started in September 2006. Each local/regional youth leadership project provides training to up to 60 youth each year. The state-level youth leadership project provides training for up to 30 participants each year and provides support to the local/regional training projects. The projects are:
Youth Leadership and Advocacy Project: Statewide
Project Period: September 1, 2006 - August 31, 2011
Project Director: Dalun Zhang
Texas A&M Research Foundation
3578 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3578
(979) 862-6514
e-mail: Dalun@tamu.edu
This project is a statewide initiative to increase the leadership and advocacy skills of 30 Texas youth with disabilities each year. The 30 participants will be recruited from four regional youth leadership and advocacy projects located in East Texas, South Texas, West Texas and Far West Texas. The statewide project will host a four-day intensive training session on a college campus each year, with visits to the State Capitol, as well as a one-day, end-of-the-year reflection and future planning event. The delegates will receive ongoing mentoring to strengthen their skills.
Youth Leadership and Advocacy Project: East Texas
Project Period: July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2011
Project Director: Patrick Morgan
Goodwill Industries of Central East Texas, Inc.
301 Hill Street, Lufkin, TX 75904
(936) 632-8838
e-mail: pmorgan@consolidated.net
This youth development and advocacy training project will operate in Angelina county with the principle city of Lufkin. It will serve 60 youth who will be recruited from the school district and Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Youth will attend training consisting of eight components, a three-day summary session, and an accessible ropes course. Goodwill Industries has existing partnerships with DARS and the school districts that have committed to the project.
Youth Leadership and Advocacy Project: West Texas
Project Period: June 1, 2006 - May 31, 2011
Project Director: Sandy Hardy
Imagine Enterprises
1402 Spring Cress Lane, Seabrook, TX 77586
(281) 474-7887
http://www.imagineenterprises.com/
e-mail: njaloway@houston.rr.com
This project will support 60 youth with disabilities per year to increase their leadership and advocacy skills. Students will be recruited from 43 school districts from 13 counties and the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitation Services (DARS). Participants will receive an intensive six days curriculum with adult mentors providing support and feedback to students during training and to complete an activity. An annual West Texas Summer Institute will increase enthusiasm and continuity. Collaboration will be made with the statewide youth leadership project, local and regional agencies, organizations, businesses and foundations to develop on-going funding and support of youth leadership activities.
Youth Leadership and Advocacy Project: Far West Texas
Project Period: July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2011
Project Director: Ricardo Razo
Education Service Center - Region 19
6611 Boeing Drive, El Paso, TX 79925-1010
(915) 780-1919
http://www.esc19.net
e-mail: rrazo@esc19.net
The Education Service Center - Region 19 and the Paso Del Norte Youth Leadership Forum (PDNYLF) Project will provide year-round leadership and advocacy building activities for students with disabilities, activities to engage parents, follow-up activities and a comprehensive project evaluation. The project will serve the 12 independent school districts and charter schools in the Education Service Center - Region 19 service delivery area of El Paso and Hudspeth counties in far west Texas. They will also work with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).
