parent leadership & advoacy 2025

Objective

Parent Leadership & Advocacy Training Program - is to develop the leadership and advocacy skills of parents/caregivers so that we are equipped to lead and advocate on behalf of our family and community.

Mission

To decrease this disparity and to increase the access to representation and participation of Black families on boards, committees and other decision-making platforms by providing parents with the opportunity to increase their knowledge, skills and understand how to take up space as leaders and advocates.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOUNDERS FORUM (FF) WORKSHOPS

The workshops will provide a basic overview of developing a program or nonprofit organization to serve the priorities of those experiencing developmental disabilities. Priority give to those who completed the PLA workshops.

PLA WORKSHOPS

Workshop 1: Orientation & Intro to Systems Thinking

Overview of Workshop:

In our latest workshop, we explored the power of parent and caregiver advocacy—sharing stories, learning about regional center services, and discovering tools to help us lead in our communities. We introduced to key topics like self-determination, Medicaid funding threats, and how to use our lived experience to influence change at every level. Maisha Azadi Sebastiani led an inspiring session on systems thinking, advocacy, and civic engagement, encouraging deep reflection on how our personal journeys shape our leadership.

Youtube Video for Workshop #1: https://youtu.be/lfY0TJQlnD8

Slideshow: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGoS2Zwo20/91WagD5vKbhhQoxrqn2UXA/view?utm_content=DAGoS2Zwo20&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h860a8176c0