ABSTRACT

PATHWAYS: The Road to Leadership

Pathways: The Road to Leadership Minnesota’s Youth Information, Training & Resource Center

Project of National Significance    [CFDA # 93.631] Administration on Developmental Disabilities [ADD]

$100,000 per year for three years [10.1.07-9.29.10]                                      Project Director:  Julie Kenney, MPA

Our organization:      

 IPSII Inc. is a diverse 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, comprised of individuals with disabilities, their families, and service providers. A majority of our Board of Directors members, are graduates from Minnesota’s Partners in Policymaking€ program. IPSII Inc. with its national and state projects has demonstrated the capacity to work in North Minneapolis, increasing IPSII for individuals with developmental disabilities [DD] and their families.  

Our Mission:         

To increase individuals with disabilities and their families Independence, Productivity, Self Determination, Integration & Inclusion [IPSII]  through our projects, advocacy and analysis of public policy. Our goal is to create welcoming schools, neighborhoods and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Background:        

IPSII Inc. was one of 15 organizations nation wide to be funded as a Project of National Significance by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities [ADD] to develop a Youth Information, Training & Resource Centers [10.1.04-9.30.07], Pathways Center’s target population is in North Minneapolis …’an area where poverty and crime rates are high, and few services are available for individuals with developmental disabilities [Vivian Jenkins Nelsen, INTER-RACE, and July 2005]. Over the past three years, Youth & Emerging Leaders in North Minneapolis IPSII has increased through our education and employment training. For example: a total of 30 African American Emerging Leaders with DD have graduated from Pathways Center leadership training program increasing their ability to make choices and increasing their self determination, Hundreds of Youth & Emerging Leaders, their families and service providers have received information on employment and education at national, state and local forums. And Pathways Center has been a model for Youth Center replication in New York. State.

Products Developed:

 Pathways Center developed two Youth friendly dissemination products designed for non-readers: ‘How to Seek and Maintain Employment’ Workbook; ‘Futures Planning Workbook: Supportive Employment: And a three ring binder designed for families of Youth with DD and their service providers on ‘How to Access the General Education Curriculum and Graduate with a Standard Diploma”.  

The Purpose of this proposal:

 IPSII Inc. proposes to continue Pathways Center, expand our outreach, training opportunities and collaboration increasing IPSII for Youth & Emerging Leaders with DD in North Minneapolis, creating welcoming schools, neighborhoods, and employment opportunities.

Primary Objectives. Our Areas of Focus will be [Employment, Education, and Housing and Quality Assurance] [10.1.07-9.30.10]:

1.        Pathways Center: 

§         Expand eligibility for Pathways Center activities to ‘all’ Youth & Emerging Leaders with DD in North Minneapolis.

§          Integrate Pathways Center’ new area of focus, housing into Center’s activities developing materials for outreach and training.  

§         Collaborate with ADD Funded projects, State agencies, North Minneapolis Community based organization, faith based organizations

2.        Trainings/ Workshops:

§         Implement Pathways Center 30 hour Pre-Partners Leadership Training program designed for 15 Emerging Leaders with DD each year of this grant. [This is an increase of 5 Emerging Leaders per year from first grant cycle]

§         Develop and implement at least three all-day workshops each year of this grant. The work shops topics will be Transitioning from School- Based Services to Adult Services; Post Secondary Education Options for Individuals with DD & Communicative Nature of Challenging Behavior [Joe Reichle Ph.D.]. [This is a new activity]

3.        Dissemination:  

§         Disseminate Pathways Centers Youth friendly products via IPSII Inc. website, national, state, local forums and through our partners. [See Products Developed]

4.        Quality Assurance:

§          Convene Pathways Center Advisory Committee. Committee. The committee will direct funding of activities and review all outcomes.

§         Implement Pathways Center Continuous Improvement Process aligned to the Baldrige Framework

§         Report Pathways Center results in accordance with ADD requirement.

Primary Expected Outcomes

1.        Pathways Center

• Pathways advisory committee will meet quarterly each year of this grant, review all outcomes and direct funding of activities.

2.        Pathways Center  Leadership Training and Workshops

•  Leadership training, will graduate at least 15 emerging leaders each year  [ A total of  at least 45 Emerging Leaders for years 1-3]
• For Pathways Center 3 workshops each year: Train at least 60 family members of Youth and Emerging Leaders and their service providers each year [A total of 120 individuals trained for years 1, 2, 3].

3.        Dissemination

• Pathways Center page www.ipsiiinc.com will have at least 600 hits each year[ [or 1,800 hits for years 1,2,3]
• Pathways Center’s Youth and Emerging Leaders will disseminate materials to at least 100 individuals each year [ or 300 for years 1,2,3
• Pathways Center Products; Each of the products developed will be disseminated to at least 50 individuals each year [or 150  for years 1,2,3]

4.        Quality Assurance

§         Center’s Continuous Improvement Process will be aligned to the Baldrige Framework and reported to ADD

Primary Partners: Hennepin County; MN 60 Family Support 1-Stop Center; INTER-RACE; MN Disability Law Center; MN Council on DD;

Proposed Project Director:  Julie Kenney, MPA    Ex. Director IPSII Inc.  Julie_Kenney@ksg02.harvard.edu

IPSII Inc.  Contact Information:   Address:  6611 Lynwood Blvd.  Richfield, Mn.  55423     Phone:  612.861.3215     Website:  www.ipsiiinc.com