Woodstock Resident Works To Provide A Voice For Georgians With Disabilities

Cherokee County Resident Works with All About Developmental Disabilities To Provide A Legislative Voice For Georgians With Disabilities

Partners in Policymaking program teaches advocacy from grass roots to Capitol Dome

Photo: Jo Ellen Hancock of Woodstock

Decatur, GA, July 2, 2015 — Jo Ellen Hancock of Woodstock took a step towards empowerment recently by participating in All About Developmental Disabilities’ (AADD) Partners in Policymaking program, where she gained the tools to become a better advocate for all individuals with disabilities in Georgia. AADD is an Atlanta-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing family support, advocacy and training opportunities for individuals and families living with developmental disabilities.

The goal of the program is to establish and maintain productive partnerships between people needing and using services and those who make public policy and laws. As participants become educated about current issues and best practices and familiar with the legislative processes at the local, state and federal levels, they learn what they can do to act as a catalyst for change.

Upon graduation, participants use their new skills to work to obtain state-of-the-art services for themselves and others. Hancock joined others in the intensive, two-weekend training at AADD’s headquarters in Decatur, GA.

“I’m already taking what I learned during the Partners in Policymaking sessions and putting it to work,” said Hancock.

Over the last 20 years, Partners in Policymaking has produced hundreds of graduates like Hancock across the state. These parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, sisters and brothers have become advocates and voices for individuals living with developmental disabilities.

Mitch Leff

Leff & Associates LLC

Public Relations, Media Training, Online Media Resources

(404) 861-4769

www.leffassociates.com