News and notes from the Consumer Advisory Committee

It has been five years since the Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) was first brought together to brainstorm and develop a mission statement for Maine's UAP, and to make recommendations regarding areas of concentration upon which to build. Now as the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Maine's UAP is poised to enter its fourth year, the CAC is taking the opportunity to clarify its role, establish bylaws and expand membership.

The CAC, as an advisory body to the Director, guides the development and revision of the Center's mission, establishes and revises the Center's focus areas, participates in the development of the Center's five-year plan and reviews its program on an annual basis.

The CAC assists in the development of Center policies regarding access to and consumer involvement in all Center activities. Members develop an overall understanding of the Center, its core functions and its projects. We advocate for and on behalf of the Center and its work. We advise and inform the Center regarding other relevant organizations, programs, networks, or activities which may provide opportunities for Center collaboration, and provide input and assistance in developing proposals for specific initiatives.

The committee is comprised of 20-25 members, at least half of whom are individuals with disabilities or family members of individuals with disabilities. The balance of the committee is comprised of a representative of Maine Advocacy Services, the State DD Council, Maine Parent Federation, local agencies, private nonprofit groups concerned with providing services for individuals with disabilities, including developmental disabilities, and representatives from appropriate state agencies.

Members of the committee are expected to represent the interests of people with disabilities, including developmental disabilities, and their families throughout Maine. We meet with the Director bimonthly to discuss the work the UAP is currently doing and to make recommendations for the future. A listing of 1995 members is provided below.

If I can provide additional information about the CAC or the Center please do not hesitate to contact me at 985-2526.

Clare Collins, Acting Chair

Consumer Advisory Committee

1995 Membership

Paige Barton, Biddeford

Clare Collins, Kennebunk

Eugene Crockett, Biddeford

Claire DeVries, Rumford

Sue Donovan, Augusta

Joyce Engelmann, Bangor

Richard Estabrook, Augusta

Brenda Farrington, Augusta

Dale Finseth, Augusta

Linda Jariz, Augusta

Zsolt Koppanyl, Augusta

Janice Lachance, Gardiner

Sue Libby, Mount Vernon

Kathryn Markovchick, Readfield

Kathleen Powers, Augusta

Jane Ross, Houlton

Peter Stowell, Augusta

Ron Welch, Augusta

Patten Williams, Augusta

The Statewide Consumer Advisory Committee, Faculty, Staff and Students of the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Maine's University Affiliated Program cordially invite you to attend an Open House: Tuesday, December 12, 1995 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Centerpoint is the newsletter of the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Maine's University Affiliated Program.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of pluralism, the University of Maine shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizen status, age, disability, or veterans status in employment education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. This publication is available on audiotape and upon request this material will be made available in other alternative formats to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities.

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