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Partners in Policymaking® (PIP) is a leadership training program originally designed for parents of school age children with developmental disabilities and adults with disabilities. Partners was created by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities more than 35 years ago and has since been offered nationally and internationally.
Partners teaches leadership skills necessary to develop positive partnerships and working relationships with elected officials and other policymakers who make decisions about the services and supports that you and/or your family use. Partners is accessible, informative, and empowering. The graduates of Partners often become members of boards, councils, task forces and advisory committees; some run for elected office, and some secure employment in disability advocacy or service organizations.
The Illinois Partners in Policymaking (PIP) program will kick-off Class 6 in October. The first in-person session will be Friday, October 25. Prior to the first session, there will be three virtual orientation sessions: October 15, October 17 and October 19.
Adults with developmental disabilities, parents of children under the age of 21 with developmental disabilities, adult siblings of people with developmental disabilities, legal Guardians, and supporters in Supported Decision-Making Agreements for individuals with developmental disabilities are welcome to apply.
Don't miss out on this opportunity! PIP programming is about achieving greater independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion through advocacy and systems change. Apply now and be sure to share this information!
Class 6 Application is OPEN!
- Class Six Application (English)
- Class Six Application (Spanish)
- Class Six Brochure (English)
- Class Six Brochure (Spanish)
Want to apply? You must have an interest in learning and practicing new skills in a comfortable and safe environment. You must have a desire to build and strengthen a network of people from diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences, and you must have a willingness to learn from national and state experts who share our vision and values. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE ILLINOIS RESIDENTS.
** IMPORTANT ** Successful completion of Partners in Policymaking Class 6 requires a commitment to attend all in-person weekends, the Springfield in-person session and all virtual/online sessions.
Please review the schedule below and make certain you can attend all sessions before applying. A commitment to participate in all sessions is mandatory in order to be considered as a participant in Class 6.
Before beginning to complete the application, please read ALL the instructions, questions, eligibility definitions, submission requirements, and important information included in the application.
- Applicants must complete ALL sections of the application form and return it to by the deadline for it to be considered. Application forms must be received no later than 5 pm on September 7, 2024 to be considered for Class 6.
- Electronic submission by email is preferred. However, applications will be accepted by email or U.S. Mail. Information on how to complete and submit the application is included in the instructions on the last page.
Participation in Partners is a commitment of time and energy and requires work outside of class. Please review the calendar carefully before submitting your application. The Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities has committed to three years of Partners in Policymaking (PIP). If this session of PIP does not fit with your schedule, consider applying for one of the two future sessions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IL PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING, Contact Allan Bergman, CEO of HIGH IMPACT Mission based consulting at aibergman@comcast.net, or contact Jan Bergman, Coordinator of IL Partners in Policymaking at either 847-5330-6714 or janb.ilpip@gmail.com.