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Grant #09.QA.K
7/1/2010 - 6/30/2011
Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong
500 Harrison Ave. Suite 230
Boston, MA
(617) 624-7549
Program Specialist: Dan Shannon


Supporting Statewide Self Advocacy
Total Funding: $251,150
 Federal Funds: $70,000 (27.87%)
Matching Funds: $189,150 (72.13%)

The goal of this project is to build a strong self-advocacy organization in Massachusetts for individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities. The project will develop the organizational structure and resources needed to sustain and support the mission of MA Advocates Standing Strong. M.A.S.S. will provide support to the 50 existing local and regional self-advocacy groups and work to develop new groups. M.A.S.S will expand board development and training to build and strengthen the organization, and will expand its capacity by diversifying its financial base. M.A.S.S. will continue to address issues important to its members including leadership development, self-determination and self-advocacy, housing, safety and exploitation, health, and accessibility.

Grant #10.ED.F
7/1/2010 - 6/30/2012
Massachusetts Advocates for Children
25 Kingston St. 2nd Floor
Boston MA
(617) 357-8431
Program Specialist: Liz Fancher

Special Education Collaboration Project --
Total Funding: $103,733
Federal Funds: $70,000
 Matching Funds: $33,733 (33%)

The goal of the Special Education Collaboration Project is to promote policies and practices that enhance educational potential, inclusion, and successful transition to adult life for children and young adults with developmental disabilities through a unique collaboration of diverse stakeholders involved with special education. This grant will build on the accomplishments made by MAC's groundbreaking Special Education Collaborative, an alliance of parents, advocates, school administrators, teachers, education officials, legislators, and human service agencies. With this innovative model, the project will continue to work to improve special education policies and practices, the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment for Students with Disabilities pilot project and transition initiatives. MAC will inform public policy makers about priority issues for students with developmental disabilities to receive the educational services necessary to reach their potential and to facilitate inclusion in the community. The project will also continue its focus on the special education "circuit breaker" funding.



Grant #10.CS.N
7/1/2011 - 6/30/2012
The Arc of Massachusetts
217 South Street
Waltham, MA
(781) 891-6270
Program Specialist: Liz Fancher

Collaborative Systems Change --
Total Funding: $95,980
Federal Funds: $70,000 (73%)
Matching Funds: $25,980 (27%)

The goal of the project is to build self-directed community-based supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities and family members. In collaboration with MA21 members (Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy), the grantee will work to advance public policy through promoting legislation, engaging grassroots constituents, obtaining the support of policymakers and educating the public through various media. A primary focus of the grant will be to promote the "Real Lives" bill and other policy foundations outlined in MA21's "Implementing a 21 st Century Disability Policy." The project will also provide education and training, organize for bill passage and policy initiatives and participate in budget advocacy. Concurrently, The Arc will address insufficient funding for programs and services for people with disabilities. Ultimately, the project will impact the everyday lives of people with disabilities lives through policies that will provide people with greater flexibility, transparency, independence and integration.

Grant #10.CS.L
1/1/2011-12/31/2011
Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI)
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
(617) 287-4300
Program Specialist:
Liz Fancher

Barbara Wilensky Gopen Memorial Fellowship --

Total Funding:$35,732
MDDC Funds: $18,000 (50.4%)
Matching Funds:$17,732 (49.6%)

The Annual Barbara Wilensky Gopen fellowship offers a unique opportunity for a person with a disability or a family member to gain valuable knowledge and experience by working with members of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network Programs. The Gopen fellow works 20 hours per week, in consultation with staff at the Institute of Community Inclusion and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. 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. The fellow also attends local and national public policy forums to broaden his knowledge on current disability topics. The 2011 Gopen Fellow, Kevin Barrett, will develop a project which addresses reasonable accommodations in housing and employment for people on the autism spectrum.

Grant #00-3(3)(1)
On-Going
Consumers, Family Members, and Guardians
Council Program Specialist
Harold Lieberman

Council Empowerment Funds Program

The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council provides funds for individuals with developmental disabilities and/or a family member or guardian to attend conferences or other events in Massachusetts or another state. The goal of this program is to promote the empowerment of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families by assisting them in their efforts to achieve independence, productivity, integration and inclusion.

This information is provided by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.