Consumer Advisory Committee (new photo coming soon!)
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 2 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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2009- CAC members: (Top row left to right) Gus Adams,Keith Bonchek, Curtis Wang, and Robert Taylor.Bottom Row Liz Lyons, Randy Horton,
Cathy Horton, Pam Aiona, and Beth Brodie.
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Consumer Advisory Committee
2010-2011 Training/Presentation Calendar
August 2010 - Choosing Services and Supports with Scott Barron
September 2010 - Budget with George Stevens or Ellen Stein
October 2010 - Housing with Susie Pittman
November 2010 - CAC Holiday Lunch
December 2010 - No meeting
January 2011 - Update on Medicare & Medi-Cal
February 2011 - presentation on workshop jobs/employment
Consumer Advisory Committee
August Meeting Updates
By Eugene Baily
Well here it is August and the first meeting of The Consumer Advisory Committee for 2010-11 fiscal year. The meeting was called to order by Curtis Wang, Vice Chairperson do to the transportation problems for Pam Aiona.
The committee welcomes the newest member of the Consumer Advisory Committee, Dani Melnick.
Curtis, went over the Consent Items with the committee and made adjustments to the agenda.
The presentation for August was on “Choosing Services and Supports” by Scott Barron from Disability Rights California. Scott was able to get everyone at the meeting to interact. Scott also told the committee about ways consumers could go about selecting their support workers and some of things to look out for when setting up your support staff.
Curtis, turned the meeting over to the Chairperson (Pam Aiona) when she got to the meeting.
Chris Whitlock stopped by the meeting to take a new group picture for the web page.
Jennifer Kaiser and I reviewed the committee orientation information, the Policies & Procedures, also with the Visitation Policy for the CAC.
I went over with the committee the FY 2009-10 CAC Action Log, the FY 2010-11 CAC Goals, and the Training / Presentation Calendar for FY 2010-11.
Liz Lyons and Randy Horton, also with some help from Scott Barron who work on the project to put together the Self-Advocacy Board of Los Angeles County. A consumer friendly resource guide for services at low cost or no cost to the consumer and families.
Pam and I went over the announcements and information with a reminder at the next CAC meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at 2:00 p.m.
Pam adjourn the meeting at about 3:40 p.m.
Robert's Closing Statement
As of: July 1, 2010, I will be leaving the CAC after being there for 6 years already. Being part of a group of: Consumers, that got things done, is a blessing, that I'll never forget! Getting things across, such as the letter that we presented to: Metro, to have Consumers with Disabilities to get better services aboard their system, along with the other letter, on The Convention on the Rights with Persons with Disabilities, is something we accomplished and so much more. Being also your previous chair for 3 out of those 6 years, was wonderful, I learned so much from all of you! Now! that I'm leaving the CAC, to do other things with my life, I want to take time to Thank all of our Consumers, for everything you have done for me, and all of you are always in my heart, I'm going to miss all of you a lot, Goodbye!
By
Robert Taylor
People First of California
People First of California, Inc. (PFCA) strives to serve all people with developmental challenges throughout California, primarily through People First members and chapters. PFCA serves as a role model for people with developmental disabilities in personal empowerment, leadership, and advocacy. PFCA is also a resource to professionals in the developmental disabilities service system and provides the general community with education on subjects useful and beneficial to people with developmental disabilities.
People First of California, Inc. is determined to: increase personal and economic independence and capabilities; defend civil rights; and eliminate prejudice and discrimination of people with developmental disabilities.
People First of California has a unique philosophy. People with developmental disabilities are the only people to empower other people with developmental disabilities. Only the people, who are part of a certain culture, can "empower" people of that culture; to become strong, they have to make the decisions and do the work of their movement, themselves. It is the same way for the Self-Advocacy movement. Professionals and people without developmental disabilities cannot control the People First movement.
This is what self-advocacy is about, people helping their peers to learn to speak up for themselves, learn about their rights and responsibilities, learn how to make decisions and solve problems, and be contributing members of their community. People need heroes who have "walked in their shoes." We know that there are people with developmental disabilities in every town, who have taken those first steps, who can be heroes and leaders for their peers.
If people with developmental disabilities stand together in unity, speak with one voice and push forward, our vision for the future will be—our own! Professionals or people without developmental disabilities cannot do it for us. Only people with developmental disabilities can truly know what is most important for other self advocates. People First of California has five basic guiding principles:
- Run BY and For people with Developmental Disabilities
- Know you rights and responsibilities
- Speak up for yourself
- Solve problems and make decisions for yourself
- Contribute to your community
Keith Bonchek serves as the Outreach Coordinator for People First of California (PFCA) for Southern California. He is a consumer from North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC), serves on a board with NLACRC and is a recent graduate of Partners In Policymaking. In his capacity with PFCA, Keith is actively involved in establishing new chapters and training groups to become self advocates. As well, he trains the staff of various organizations about self advocacy and PFCA. Keith is able to communicate this message with passion and humor as he has Cerebral Palsy, is hearing impaired and struggles with others disabilities, but refuses to allow these setbacks to keep him for assisting others.
To learn more about People First of California, please call 818-854-7345 or visit PFCA website www.peoplefirstca.org . People First of California offers their services free of charge. The 11 th through the 13 th of June 2010, People First of California will be hosting a statewide convention in Sacramento. The conference will feature a wide variety of speakers and fun activities for all to enjoy.
Change to Public Library Hours
by Robert Taylor
As of December 11, 2009, the Libraries in the City of Los Angeles, have changed times, due to the budget situation the City of Los Angeles, is going through. Please, go to: www.lapl.org , for the new times your public library, will be open, Thanks!
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!
FAQ
