The Boggs Center Celebrates Graduation of New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2019-2020

Monday, June 1, 2020

JPartners 2019-2020 graduation imageOn May 30, 2020, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities hosted a virtual graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2019-2020. New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities and family members available through The Boggs Center with funding from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. This year's graduates included 7 self-advocates, 15 parents, 2 siblings, and 1 student trainee prepared to work toward meaningful change in our state. Using online technology, Colleen McLaughlin, The Boggs Center's Associate Director and Partners Project Director, welcomed graduates and invited guests, and provided an introduction to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking program. Mercedes Witowsky, Executive Director of the NJ Council of Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) and Paul Blaustein, NJCDD chair, brought remarks about the impact of the Partners program and the important role graduates play in advocacy. Deborah M. Spitalnik, PhD, Executive Director of The Boggs Center, delivered messages of inspiration, hope, and a charge to action as part of the event. Through panel presentations, this year's graduates shared what they learned in the program and their plans for advocacy after graduation. Each graduate was celebrated through display of their photo and advocacy action priority area.

To learn more about this year's graduates, their experiences over the past 8 months, and the impact of the Partners program,view the Graduation Panel Presentation Recordingfeaturing the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2019-2020.

Congratulations to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2019-2020: