• Workshop Descriptions
• Building Leadership 2

Building Leadership Series

“Participants in the BLS had matured into much more confident, at ease citizens with personal goals proudly owned and clear enthusiasm about being in charge of their own lives.”  - Dr. David Mank, IIDC Director.

The Center on Aging and Community (CAC) wrapped up the final 5th year of the Building Leadership Series (BLS) in November, 2010, with a near capacity class of 19 participants from around the state. In April, 2008, CAC hosted a reunion for the 2006 and 2007 class with 24 participants returning, and in April, 2011, a second reunion for all five years drew in more than 60 former participants. At both reunions, participants made formal presentations on how their lives had changed, including new goals they had achieved and the active roles they took in their lives and communities.

The BLS project existed to educate people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, develop leadership skills individually and collectively, and expand systems that support personal choice and person-directed services. The project provided a series of three 2-day workshops over a three-month period for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

The project funded up to 20 participants. This funding included meals, overnights, attendant care as needed and an attendance stipend to offset lost wages. Participants were required to commit to the entire series of three workshops, a total of six days, and have the necessary staff/family support to attend and/or cover their personal business (work and/or appointments) while they were away.

If you are interested in more information, detailed descriptions of the three workshops can be found here.

A second series of workshops, Building Leadership Series 2 (BLS2), is being presented this Spring, and it will be made up of new and former BLS participants seeking to further their education and skills.

Please call Jennie Todd (812-855-6508) or email Jennie with questions about BLS or BLS2.