The Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship

Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network Programs:

• Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC)
• Institute for Community Inclusion, UMass Boston, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (ICI)
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
• Disability Law Center (DLC)  

Overview of the Gopen Fellowship

Founded in 2001, the Barbara Wilensky Gopen Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for a person with a developmental disability or a family member to gain valuable knowledge and experience by working with members of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network Programs.

The selected fellow will design and implement a project of their choice to gain expertise in their field of interest. Activities are based on the fellow’s interest and may include but are not limited to grassroots advocacy, public policy analysis, research and leadership development.

Concurrent with their project work, Gopen Fellows learn about public policy and disabilities, the legislative process and the role of disability agencies in Massachusetts. Fellows attend local and national public policy forums to broaden their knowledge on current disability topics.

The fellowship offers an educational and supportive environment designed for an individual who has personal advocacy experience to start working in the professional disability field. As fellows choose their project design, develop their work plan, and research and create their final product, they are mentored by Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) staff to develop the skills they need, understand how the system works, and learn how they can create change.

The Gopen Fellow works 20 hours per week. The one-year award includes a stipend of $20,000 plus fringe benefits.

Background

The Fellowship was established to honor lifelong disability advocate Barbara Wilensky Gopen. Barbara was a person with a disability who made a lifetime commitment to advocating on behalf of people with developmental disabilities. She was a longtime member of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, where she served as a leader for many years.

The overall goal of the Gopen Fellowship is to foster the leadership capability of an individual by supporting that individual's development of a project, to enhance their general understanding of how the system of services works both in the Commonwealth and on the federal level, and to build the capacity of the Fellow's personal leadership skills.

Eligibility

The Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship is open to individuals with developmental disabilities or family members living in Massachusetts. The fellowship is designed for individuals who seek to increase their knowledge and skills in developmental disabilities. Eligible applicants do not have professional work experience in the disability field, nor do they have advanced degrees or professional training in related fields. Gopen fellowship applicants may have disability or advocacy experience on a personal or volunteer level.

Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Gopen Fellows and Their Accomplishments

Gopen Fellows are motivated learners and enthusiastic about their Fellowship experience. They have good communication skills and take the initiative to maximize their Fellowship experience. They are able to work well independently and collaboratively with colleagues.

• 2009 – Emily Rubin (parent, current fellow) – Is presently working on a project to support siblings of children with disabilities
• 2008 – Caroline vanBruinswaardt (parent) – Developed and piloted a curriculum to bring awareness to elementary school children about social skills
• 2007 – Shannon McCue (self-advocate) - Researched and produced a guide to accessible Community Technology Centers
• 2006 – Elisabetta Costantini (parent) - Researched and developed integrated recreational opportunities for teens and young adults with disabilities
• 2005 - John Anton (self-advocate) - Developed a legislative advocacy workshop for self-advocates
• 2004 - Donna Kulpa (parent) - Wrote a guide to accessible transportation in southeastern Massachusetts
• 2003 - Rebecca Goniwich (parent) - Created a workshop on Positive Behavior Supports for teachers and parents of children with developmental disabilities
• 2002 - Evelyne Milorin (parent) - Developed an informational audio and video tape for the Haitian community
• 2001 - Sandy Houghton (parent and self-advocate) - Developed a leadership curriculum for self-advocates.

Basic Requirements for the Gopen Fellowship

• Work a minimum of 20 hours per week for a period of 12 months. Most of this time will be spent designing and implementing a project conceived by the selected Fellow.
• Spend at least two days per week working at ICI in Boston and one day per month at the MDDC in Quincy.
• Attend Friday morning LEND Fellowship classes in Boston (no summer session).
• Participate in training and other leadership activities at ICI.
• Attend conferences, trainings and other events on disability advocacy and public policy.
• Create a project work plan and write quarterly status reports.
• Attend MDDC quarterly Council meetings and Public Policy Team meetings.
• Present the accomplishments of the Fellowship at an ICI staff meeting and the MDDC’s December quarterly meeting.
• If appropriate, give a presentation at a regional or national meeting in conjunction with other individuals or colleagues (paper, poster, or verbal presentation).

Timeline

• August 20, 2009: Application period begins
• Wednesday, October 7th: Applications due at 5:00pm
• Friday, November 6th: Applicants notified of finalist status
• Week of November 16th: Finalist interviews
• Monday, November 30th:  Finalists notified of committee's decision
• January 1, 2010:  Fellowship begins

 Application Instructions

The deadline to submit applications for the 2010 Fellowship is 5:00pm on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009.

The application will consist of:

(1) a brief written proposal (2-4 pages). Refer to the attached Application Form for the suggested format.

The written description will include:

a) the applicant’s background and personal disability experience

b) reason for applying and description of what the applicant hopes to achieve during the twelve month Fellowship

c) the proposed project or study activity, including reasoning for addressing the chosen topic; project goal, activities and impact

d) the applicant’s vision for his/her post-fellowship role in the disability field.

(2) applicant’s resume

(3) three letters of reference.

ICI staff can provide assistance with these application materials.

Applicants will be judged on the originality and feasibility of their proposed project, their ability to implement the proposed project and their potential to benefit from the Fellowship experience. The review committee will interview all finalists.

Please send applications to:

David T. Helm, Ph.D. Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts Boston 100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
David.helm@childrens.harvard.edu 

For more information please contact David Helm at ICI by email (David.helm@childrens.harvard.edu) or phone at 857.218.4327 (voice).

This information is posted on the ICI and MDDC websites:

• www.communityinclusion.org 
• www.mass.gov/mddc 

Application Form

The 2010 Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship

1. Complete the information below (2-4 pages):

a) Describe your background, including your personal experience with disabilities.

b) Why do you want to be the Gopen Fellow? What do you hope to accomplish?

c) Provide some background information about your proposed project.

• What is the goal of your project?
• Why did you choose this particular project?
• What work do you plan to do to reach the project goal?
• What will be the impact of this project when it is completed?

d) If selected, what do you see yourself doing after the Fellowship ends?

2. Attach your resume.

3. Provide three letters of reference with this application.

Please send applications to:

David T. Helm, Ph.D. Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts Boston 100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
David.helm@childrens.harvard.edu 

Deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 5:00pm.

This information is provided by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.