EMERGING LEADER SHOWCASE RECRUITMENT

One of the goals of the Rural Institute Transition and Employment Projects is to expand the vision of what is possible for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities to learn, live, work and play in their communities.  In collaboration with Rural Institute Consumer Advisory Council members, project staff creates monthly Transition Listserv announcements to highlight and share innovative examples and stories of people with developmental disabilities being active, participating members of their communities.  Information is shared about how the supports necessary to help them realize these possibilities were identified and funded or provided.  

We are looking for examples of Montanans who have a developmental disability according to the Montana definition (see below) and have creatively organized their supports to:

•	Live in the community (on their own or with family or friends) and/or
•	Work in the community (including owning their own business) and/or
•	Access inclusive education (high school, college, community classes) and/or
•	Participate in recreation and leisure activities that are inclusive (that is, alongside people without disabilities)

We want examples of supports that have been creatively organized around the person, individualized to their interests and needs.  These supports can be organized and managed by a funded adult agency or family and friends.  We are also looking for examples of creative funding such as blended services and natural supports, use of Social Security Administration work incentives, privately funded services or traded or bartered supports.

Montana definition of developmental disability:
	Attributed to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism or any other 	neurological handicapping condition closely related to mental retardation and requiring 	treatment similar to that required by individuals with mental retardation which: 	originated before age 18; has continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely; and 	constitutes a substantial handicap to the person.

To nominate yourself or someone you know as an Emerging Leader, please complete the brief Nomination Form and the Media Consent form and submit them to Kim Brown: brown@ruralinstitute.umt.edu; fax (406) 243-4730; or by mail: UM Rural Institute, 52 Corbin Hall, Missoula, MT  59812.  If selected, Emerging Leaders will be contacted to arrange an interview and photo session for the Showcase. If you have questions, you may contact Kim by email or telephone: (406) 243-4852.

Thank you for your time and willingness to share innovative ideas with other young Montanans with disabilities and their families!

EMERGING LEADER NOMINATION FORM

Emerging Leader’s Name: _________________________________________________________

Emerging Leader’s Contact Information (email, phone and/or mailing address): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are submitting this nomination for someone else, please provide:
Your Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Your Contact Information (email, phone and/or mailing address):
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Briefly, why should this Emerging Leader be considered for the Showcase?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please complete this checklist:

Resides in Montana					Yes ___	No ___
Developmental disability (Montana definition)	Yes ___	No ___
Demonstrates a creative use of resources		Yes ___	No ___
Receives individualized services and supports	Yes ___	No ___
In community alongside people without disabilities	Yes ___	No ___

In which area or areas does this person have creative, inclusive activities and/or supports?
___	Housing
___	Employment
___	Education
___	Recreation/Leisure

Is this Emerging Leader willing to share his or her story with young adults, families and people who work to support them?			Yes ___	No ___

Please have the Emerging Leader complete the Media Consent form. Return the completed Nomination and Consent forms to Kim Brown: brown@ruralinstitute.umt.edu; fax (406) 243-4730; or by mail: UM Rural Institute, 52 Corbin Hall, Missoula, MT  59812.  

Thank you for the nomination!