Monica J. Foster is a dynamic advocate. She is also a community organizer and a professional life coach and speaker. In September, she contacted Liberty Corner to see if there were individuals, families and staff who would be interested in being part of the North Carolina Relationship Initiative. Monica explained that she is working in partnership with the Human Services Research Institute and the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities on a grant to unite people with disabilities and those who care about and support individuals (personally and professionally) to engage in conversation around supporting healthy, safe relationships and social opportunities in the community. She further explained that the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) proposes to engage self-advocates, family members, and staff to establish a safe and supportive environment in which self-advocates can experience healthy social and emotional relationships.
On October 21st, 2010, Monica will be facilitating two separate focus groups including individuals with disabilities and families and staff. Meetings will be held in the training and conference rooms at LCE. Participants in the focus groups will: (a) identify barriers and supportive factors to healthy relationships, (b) receive education and training to address barriers and promote healthy relationship development, (c) take action in their own lives and communities to address barriers and promote healthy relationship development, and (d) share lessons learned with self-advocates, family members, providers, and other stakeholders across the state.
Please pass the word to anyone who may be interested in this very important topic of discussion. For more information, contact monicajfoster @butterflywheel.com or gbyrd@libertycornerent.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment