Training

The Mosaic Collaborative is interested in developing the next generation of advocates for people with disabilities.  In more recent years, researchers, managers, non-profit personnel and other concerned groups and individuals have found it necessary to become advocates, but they often have little knowledge or training in the subject. 

The Power of One

Training is a powerful and effective way to provide the tools and knowledge necessary for people to begin engaging in the advocacy process.  Mosaic's commitment to advocating for people who have disabilities led to the development of an introductory training called The Power of One. The training shows that by advocating for others and ourselves, people's lives are fuller, their rights are protected, and we can all make a difference.

No matter what your role is in the life of a person with disabilities, you advocate for people who have disabilities, their families, co-workers and the community in which you live.

The Power of One training shows that every voice counts, teaches ways to become involved in advocacy at a personal level and how to become involved in legislative issues.  The training also emphasizes the importance of working together to be more effective.  Participants who attend the training gain valuable skills and knowledge.  The training is designed to:

• inform a diverse audience of potential advocates about advocacy and its methods;
• build basic advocacy skills;
• increase the use of available data to inform the advocacy efforts; and
• encourage the democratic process by providing people with the skills to make their voices heard.

The Power of One training is useful to any person or group who wants to improve policies and programs through advocacy.  Potential participants may include individuals with disabilities, family members, professionals, non-profit or community organizations, and any other potential advocates.

MEE! Project

The Mosaic Educate and Empower (MEE!) Project was essentially a culmination of stakeholders (i.e., self-advocates and caregivers) working together to effectively communicate information about themselves or individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to key decision makers (i.e., state legislators, their staff, and state regulatory staff). Mosaic's Governmental Affairs department collaborated with key organizations in the DD field to promote the Nebraska Advocacy Project. A TASK FORCE was developed consisting of representatives from each of the listed organizations: UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute, The Arc of Nebraska, Alliance for Full Participation- Nebraska, Nebraska Provider's Network (NPN), Nebraska Department of Education's Office of Special Education, Nebraska Service Coordination Administration, Nebraska Planning Council on Developmental Disability Regional Councils, and Mosaic. The TASK FORCE was responsible for implementing self-advocacy or advocacy for others training, providing printed materials, an educational on-line video, assistance at Town Hall meetings to increase participant awareness, and also social networking strategies to educate and disseminate information about the current needs and strengths of people with disabilities and their families. An expected completion date for this project is December 31, 2011.

→ Stay tuned for the full length MEE! Executive Summary

For more information on

The Power of One training or MEE! Project please contact:

The Mosaic Collaborative
877.366.7242
402.896.3884
mosaic-collaborative@mosaicinfo.org