ELARC Protocol for Community Suggestions regarding Community Education (March 15, 2008)

As part of ELARC’s commitment to community education, ELARC understands the importance of providing training, information, and awareness sessions to our community. You may have an idea about a topic for a conference, training session, or other informative event.

You may submit your ideas to info@elarc.org

All ideas for training and information sessions are taken under consideration. ELARC cannot commit to host, conduct, and/or collaborate on the development of a session on every topic idea submitted. The Board of Directors and its Advisory Committees play a determining role in identifying topics of importance.

Factors that determine decision making and prioritizing of community education, outreach and awareness events include but may not be limited to:

Current research on trends in the field of developmental disabilities

Community input through the board, advisory committees, public meetings, correspondence, or via service coordinator

State/Federal Mandated Training

The current calendar of scheduled information and training events

Staff and resource capacity

Depending on the suggested topic and/or suggested audience, ELARC may also review the proposed ideas with the Consumer Advisory Committee, Family Advisory Committee, and/or Vendor Advisory Committee. Community members may also wish to go directly to these entities with event ideas. The final decision regarding proposed community education, outreach, and awareness events is at the discretion of the agency.

Community Members are also encouraged to contact the Family Resource Center Library (FRC) at (626) 300-9171 as a potential host and/or collaborator in the development of community education events focused on family needs. The FRC is located in the same building as ELARC and is a community partner in training and information for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Another community partner is the KEY Community Housing Corporation (KeyCH). Focused on helping individuals with developmental disabilities secure affordable housing in their communities, KeyCH is committed to providing information on future planning, trusts, and financial issues. They can be contacted at (626) 300-8815.

On occasion, ELARC may co-sponsor or collaborate on a conference with an outside agency or group. The outside agency or group must have an established positive working relationship with ELARC. The agency/group would need to follow the protocol below:

provide a written proposal for consideration at least four months prior to the target date, which must include:

topic

speakers

location/date/time

responsibilities of outside agency staff/group members

budget

type/amount of support sought from ELARC

The proposal may be submitted to info@elarc.org ELARC may review the proposal with the Consumer Advisory Committee, Family Advisory Committee, and/or Vendor Advisory Committee prior to making a decision as to cosponsorship. Staff and budgetary considerations may restrict the ability of ELARC to cosponsor conferences with outside organizations. Final decision regarding conference topic is at the discretion of the agency.

USE OF ELARC SITE FOR CONFERENCES

Outside organizations may also request the use of ELARC’s site without requesting co-sponsorship/collaboration. Mail to info@elarc.org.  Review the ELARC room reservation protocol.