Governor's Disabilities Advisory Cte Seeks Members

On June 14, 2007, an email message with the header "Applications Being Accepted for Governor's Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities" was circulated by the PA Department of Public Welfare, seeking applications for that advisory committee by June 27, 2007.

The Governor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities was recently created by Executive Order No. 2006-09, issued November 21, 2006, by Governor Edward G. Rendell. A copy of the Executive Order is available in PDF format (3 pages) here. DPW is charged with obtaining members of the Committee, derived from applicants with suitable interest & qualifications.

This is the invitation contained in the email message:

Applications are now being accepted for participation on the Governor's Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities.

Background information about the Governor's Advisory Committee and how to apply are in the attached document.

Please distribute this information broadly to your networks so that people interested have opportunity to apply. Thank you.

-- Ginny Rogers, Executive Policy Specialist, PA Department of Public Welfare, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675, 717-346-4481; virrogers@state.pa.us

Disabilities are often the reason that fiduciaries must manage assets for others, or that substituted decision-makers must make personal decisions for others. Therefore, this invitation for such service to the Commonwealth may be of interest to readers of this Blog.

Following in full length is the attachment to that email message. Respond if you feel a calling.

Request for Applications -- Governor's Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities

You are invited to apply for membership to the Governor's Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities.

Background information regarding the committee and information on how to apply is provided for your information below.

Description of Advisory Committee

The Governor's Cabinet and Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities were created by Executive Order in November 2006.

• The Cabinet is made up of 14 heads of state agencies and other senior officials with an interest in issues affecting people with disabilities. It is charged with making recommendations to the Governor and other duties.
• The Advisory Committee is made up of people appointed by the Governor including people within existing stakeholder groups. At least 60 percent must be people with disabilities or family members of people with disabilities. The Advisory Committee will provide input and recommendations to the Cabinet.

Advisory Committee Responsibilities

• Make recommendations to the Governor's Cabinet on policies, procedures, regulations and legislation that affect people with disabilities in Pennsylvania
• Serve as the Governor's liaison to people with disabilities on policies, procedures, regulations, and legislation that affect people with disabilities in order to ensure that State Government is accessible, accountable and responsive to people with disabilities
• Serve as resource to all departments, commissions and agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction to ensure that government entities are aware of the needs of people with disabilities and to ensure the respective agencies' programs and services are accessible to people with disabilities
• Focus on cross-disability issues and on helping to ensure that people of all ages, with cross-program needs will be served, regardless of what agency they access and what funding streams are needed. Stakeholders will inform the process and will also help to communicate progress to their local and statewide colleagues and counterparts

Membership Application Form

Please provide the following information:

1. A cover letter stating why you are qualified to serve as a member of the Governor's Advisory Committee and what you will bring to the table - resumes are also welcome with the cover letter.

2. Contact information shall include:
A. E mail Address
B. Phone numbers (Home, business or cell)
C. Mailing address

3. Two recommendations from another person or an agency that can explain how you are qualified to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee

4. Whether you are a person with a disability, represent an advocacy agency, or a family member of a person with a disability

5. Name(s) of organization(s), advisory councils, and/or groups of people you will represent

6. Your commitment to regularly share information to those organizations

7. Your commitment to regularly attend the scheduled meetings, as well as any sub-committee meetings, to review and comment on materials, and to participate between meetings, as needed

Travel reimbursements may be available for people with disabilities and family members if necessary for active participation.

Please submit your applications to Ginny Rogers (virrogers@state.pa.us), or send your applications to Ginny Rogers, PA Department of Public Welfare, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105-2675.

Applications for consideration will be received until Wednesday June 27, 2007.