I Am Self-Advocacy Program: Summer Sessions 2022
By Hannah Roberts, Director of Programs
Originally Published in May 2022, ECNV Newsletter
Soon, we will be concluding our Spring Session which includes the largest number of participants we have had yet for our I Am Self-Advocacy Program! This program session, the participants were split into 2 different groups facilitated by 4 of ECNV’s peer mentors. They will be wrapping up mid-June when the participants present the portfolios they have developed throughout the program to their peers and others they choose to present to.
The I Am Self-Advocacy Program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping youth and young adults with disabilities, ages 16-22, learn about and hone their skills in self-advocacy. Participants discuss topics integral to self-advocacy such as self-awareness, disability awareness, self-determination, disability rights and responsibilities, how to be assertive, and how to engage allies and be an ally to others.
We are now accepting referrals for the I Am Self Advocacy Program’s Summer Session that will run from July 5-July 29th. Participants will explore their abilities and discover their power to create change, speak up for themselves, and plan for future employment in a fun learning environment with their peers. During this intense, 4-week program session, participants will meet:
virtually and one-on-one with a peer mentor twice a week;
virtually in a group setting on Tuesdays and Thursdays during either a morning session (10 am to noon) or an afternoon session (3-5 pm); and
in-person (optional) for a leadership group on Fridays from 10 am – 2 pm.
Peer mentors will be conducting intake and initial individual meetings with the students the last 2 weeks of June to prepare for the start of the 1st peer group meetings on July 5th, so please keep this in mind when gauging your participation.
Youth and young adults interested in participating should talk to their special education teacher, Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) at their school, or local DARS office for assistance. The referral deadline is June 17th. All referrals must come from DARS.
For more information about the program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Hannah Roberts at hannahr@ecnv.org or call ECNV's office number at 703-525-3268.