Consumer Advisory Committee
The nine-member committee
is responsible for providing the center’s Board of Trustees
with recommendations on matters important to consumers.
The committee generally meets on the 1st Tuesday of each
month at 1:30 p.m. at the regional center’s main office
in Van Nuys. The committee chairperson serves as a member
of the Board of Trustees.
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CAC committee Back row (left to right): Curtis Wang, Monroe Jones, Robert Taylor, and Duane Joslin.
Front row (left to right):Elizabeth Lyons, Pam Aiona, and Randy Horton
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Message from the Committee Chairperson Robert M. Taylor
I'm Robert M. Taylor, Chairperson of the NLACRC Consumer Advisory Committee. Today our consumers have issues such as: Transportation, Crime Prevention, Emergency Preparedness, Housing, Health Care, Self-Directed Services, and even Day Programs, and in this Committee, we are working on these issues, so that consumers can speak out on them, and have a voice on what they have to say on it. That's why as your Chairperson, Consumers come first in making those decisions. Without consumer input, they can't get anywhere to accomplish them, so we meet every month to bring solutions to those issues so from there, consumers can put them into their productive lives. We encourage you to come to one of our meetings to see what we do as consumers, and to make a difference in the lives of others. We hope to see you there!
Current topics and issues under
committee discussion
_ Self-directed services
_ Improving transportation services
_ Expansion of recruitment efforts
How to become a committee member
In order to become a member of the Consumer Advisory Committee,
an individual must be a primary consumer (client) of the
regional center. No prior committee experience is required.
For more information or for an application, please contact
Jennifer Kaiser at (818) 756-6118 or by e-mail at jennifrk@nlacrc.org.
Thank you!
The Importance of Voting
Several CAC members have written articles about why they feel it is important to vote at the upcoming elections.
Voting is Empowerment
by Eugene Baily
It is a new year, a time for new hopes and new ways to use your empowerment. 2008 is also an election year.
The Consumer Advisory Committee here at North Los Angeles County Regional Center wants to strongly encourage all our consumers to get out and vote. We as Californians will have two opportunities over this year to have opinions heard, once in February with the Primary Election and once again in the General Election in November.
There are many local, statewide and national issues and candidates to be informed about. The Consumer Advisory Committee hopes that all consumers become more informed and go and vote.
The Reason to Go Out and Vote
by Duane Joslin
We, here in America, are one of the few who can lend a hand in deciding who leads our country. And we, as Americans with disabilities, have to make sure that the gains we have made stay with us and also see that our leaders are ones that we want and need. So, please remember to go out and vote in February and November.
Disability Should Not Be a Barrier to Work and Vote on Election Days
by Randy Horton
I want to use this medium to encourage my colleagues to volunteer their time to work and go out to vote. Even though I'm physically challenged it does not stop me to work on election day as a poll clerk and cast my vote. I have been doing this job for the past five years and I really enjoy it. It was a good experience for me and I would like my colleagues to have a similar experience. Also, I want to encourage my colleagues to go out to vote for their choice because our vote is our voice. If we fail to vote, our voice will not be heard. In fact, those that do us no good will be elected. This is a great opportunity for us all to cast our vote in the forthcoming elections. Our disability should not stop us to out to vote.
A Time to Vote
by Robert Taylor
Greetings to all, I'm Robert M. Taylor, CAC Chairperson, wishing all consumers a happy and prosperous New Year of 2008, hoping that your dreams come true this year. This year we have an election that can change the course of history for all consumers. By going to the polls and voting, you will have a voice that can get consumers what they need and want, so I encourage all consumers this February and in Novemebr, to look at the issues that consumers can decide on, and then cast your vote for those issues, so your voice can be heard loud and clear. Your vote as consumers count, so don't forget to vote this February and in November. You'll make the right decision, I assure you that!
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| CAC committee member Duane
Joslin. |
Meet New CAC Member
Duane Joslin
Hello. My name is Duane Joslin and I am a new member of
the Consumer Advisory Committee. I have cerebral palsy.
I have been a client of the regional center for a long time
since I have been one. I have some very good experiences
one such was my being elected to the board of trustees for
the center, of which if you come on this committee you some
day could end up on. My experience
from being out in the world comes from a vast source of
experiences that I have, one such was being in a youth group
called Demolay which is sponsor by the Masonic Lodge, also
being a mason, but way back before that being in Cub Scouts.
But you do not need all those but if you do have any experiences
or just feel like I do, which is to speak for those who
can not, then ask your counselor or call (818) 756-6118.
It is also the number for if you want to join the board.
Well that is all. I hope you enjoy reading this.
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| John Swicegood |
Dear Consumer Advisory Committee:
I was a chairman for 6 yrs. And it was a pleasurable experience,
to help the consumers to get out into the community to make
their life better. We all had to meet a lot of challenges,
but we learned how to handle it.I
really appreciate the Consumer Advisory Committee for making
me stronger.
Sincerely,
John Swicegood
FAQ
