Family Leadership Series
The Northeast Family Leadership Series will kick off in December 2019!
The Family Leadership Series focuses on supporting families to advocate for their family member with disabilities to live in their communities as naturally and typically as desired. Applications from adult family members of people with disabilities who are Department of Developmental Services eligible are encouraged.
The Family Leadership Series has a three-fold purpose.
- to offer information about “best practices” for people with disabilities,
- to assist families in creating a vision for their loved one and a process to achieve the vision through leadership and advocacy, and
- to develop family leaders who will advocate at the local and state level to improve the lives of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).
The series will bring together families from across the Northeast Region for three, 2 day long workshops at the Rockport Inn & Suites in Rockport, Massachusetts.
We will convene on the following dates:
- Friday & Saturday, December 13-14, 2019
- Friday & Saturday, January 31 - February 1, 2020
- Friday & Saturday, March 27-28, 2020
Space is Limited!
Deadline to Apply is October 31, 2019.
Applicants will be notified in November.
To attend the training, families are required to commit to the following:
- Attend all three of the 2 day-long sessions.
- Participate in and share your experience during each session.
- Continue to work to create change for your family and others upon completion of
the Family Leadership Series.
After the Series, we hope that you will consider joining the MFOFC statewide network, which provides opportunities to advocate for a policy-driven budget, improved policies and practices that maximize our loved ones’ supports, and their ability to live meaningful, enviable lives in the community.
For the past twenty-six years, Family Leadership Series graduates have had a tremendous impact on systems change for families and individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts. Family members have been active in policy and decision-making locally, regionally, and statewide. While some have pursued legislative advocacy, others have been involved in community organizing efforts close to home or continued to focus solely on their loved ones living with and without disability.
Food and overnight lodging for participants is paid for by the Department of Developmental Services.
Scholarships for respite or childcare costs are available.
Families who have completed the series have had a tremendous impact on systems change for families and individuals with disabilities in Massachusetts. Family members have been active in policy and decision making locally, regionally and statewide and some have decided to do legislative advocacy work. Some families have been involved in community organizing and advocacy on a local level. Others have used their talents and skills to create change for their child with a disability and/or their families.
If you have questions regarding the FLS or application, please contact:
O. Sophia Johansson,
Northeast Regional Coordinator
sophia@massfamilies.org
617.935.2264
“The Leadership Series not only educated me, it made me think differently. It was great to leave with our visions – I am convinced that there will be a better future!”
FLS Graduate
Northeast Family Leadership Series 2019-2020 Application
The formal application period has closed, however we are still welcoming inquiries for this year’s Northeast Family Leadership Series. Please reach out to Sophia Johansson, Northeast Regional Coordinator, at sophia@massfamilies.org to discuss any opportunities to participate this year.