THE NYC FAMILY ADVOCACY INFORMATION RESOURCE is a newly formed advocacy group comprised of family members of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and concerned others. As the current family leadership is aging we are looking to the next generation of parents, siblings and others to become active participants in the lives of our loved ones.

Acquainting family members with the intricacies of the service delivery system for people with I/DD benefits everyone. It empowers families to advocate effectively. It will bring new people to the DD Councils. By increasing family representation, the DD Councils can become more collaborative, expand advocacy and better reflect the needs of families.

Our Mission:

• Expand and strengthen the community of interest
• Replenish leadership by recruiting, training, and mentoring younger parents and siblings.
• Empower families by providing information about services for all age groups
• Connect families with other families
• Empower family advocates

We propose to support our mission and achieve common goals by starting a Mentor/Mentee Program.

Mentees can be people who have children living at home and those who have children living in residences as well as professionals from the field. Mentors should have a deeper understanding of the field and can share that knowledge with those are just learning how the system works.

Mentors and mentees can come from:

• Service Provider Agencies
• National/NY Sibling Leadership Networks
• NYC DOE District 31 and District 75 schools
• Pre-schools, elementary schools and high schools serving children with Developmentally Disabilities
• NYS Partners in Policy graduates

 We would like to identify family members to join our Network as mentors and mentees in order to bring a new and stronger voice to the Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Community.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MENTORS

• Commit to the program for a minimum of a year.
• Provide one on one mentoring to the mentee throughout the year
• Accompany the mentee to interagency meetings, public forums, advocacy and lobbying events as well as Network informational sessions on specific issues as much as possible.
• Provide an overview of the history of the field, the current issues, challenges and the role of government
• Foster a relationship that is conducive to open interaction
• Offer counsel, guidance and encouragement
• Be conscious and respectful of cultural and generational differences between myself and my mentee

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE MENTEE

• Commit to the program for a minimum of a year.
• Attend interagency meetings, public forums, advocacy and lobbying events as well as well as Network Informational sessions as much as possible
• Learn from the mentors experience and knowledge
• Be a good listener
• Be open to feedback and suggestions
• Initiate independent advocacy opportunities
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Be conscious and respectful of cultural and generational differences between myself and my mentor

NYC fair for mentor.mentee-new = PDF Version