Twelve years after California graduated its last “Partners” class, the 36-member Partners In Policymaking California Class of 2007 arrived at the April 20-21 kick-off session and wasted no time tackling challenging issues facing our community. Everything from debating to creating a common vision and from laughter to tears was part of the jam-packed first weekend session.

Speakers and topics during the first of the monthly sessions included:

• Alan Kerzin, Executive Director of the State Council, welcoming participants and emphasizing the importance of advocacy;
• Jayne Chase from Alabama, a Partners participant now active internationally, on the power of language and the words we choose to describe people;
• Colleen Wieck of Minnesota, the well-known master architect of the 20-year-old Partners In Policymaking, on the history of disabilities in society;
• Sascha Bittner, State Council Chair of the on Developmental Disabilities, on her journey from Partners graduate to her current role of advocacy;
• Shirley Dove, President of The Arc of California, outlining the history of the parent movement;
• Richard Devylder, Department of Rehabilitation Deputy Director, on the history of the independent living movement and how his life models the possibilities; and
• Michael Cooke, President of People First of California, on the history of the self-advocacy movement.

Partners In Policymaking California, is a Council-funded project conducted by The California Collaborative, an interagency collaborative of The Arc of California, Family Voices, Family Resource Centers Network of California, and the California Association of Family Empowerment Centers. The Project continues for the next seven months, culminating in the November graduation of the Partners In Policymaking California Class of 2007.

Partners In Policymaking California Class of 2007

The Partners In Policymaking California Class of 2007 consists of 36 self-advocates and parents from among the counties served by Area Boards 1 through 5. The Class was selected to represent diversity in gender, ethnicity and type of disability.

Classmembers                          County

Amber Kesterson                       Colusa

Aundrea Arzaga                         Solano

Christine Totah                          Yolo

Christopher Bennett                   Napa

Chuck E. Sims                          Sonoma

Clyde Pomeroy                          Humboldt

David Engberg                           Sacramento

Deb Carruth                               Alameda

Edmund Lee Evans                    Butte

Elizabeth Grigsby                      San Francisco

Jasmine Sierra Marks                 Sonoma

Jennifer Allen                             Sacramento

Jennifer Walsh                           San Mateo

Joan Crook                                Contra Costa

John Matthias                            Placer

Julie Henry                                Sacramento

Karen Ketterling                         Sacramento

Karla Bueso                              Contra Costa

Kathy Tinajero                           Sutter

Katie Rustad                             Yolo

Kenneth Vu                               Placer

Lacey Friedman                         Contra Costa

Laura Soto                                Sacramento

Margaret Cameron                     Contra Costa

Maryann Cantone                       Sonoma

Nathan Magid                            San Francisco

Nick Feldman                            San Francisco

Nikki Little                                 Solano

Pamela Brain                             Alameda

Raymond Hampson                    Sacramento

Rosa Valledor                            Contra Costa

Sarah Amboy                            Alameda

Sofia Ribeiro                              Solano

Steven Weaver                           Placer

Tammy Eudy                             Sacramento