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4203 Southpoint Blvd Jacksonville FL 32216 www.nilausa.org July
28, 2005 |
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NILA Update |
By now, you should know it’s almost
here…Growing Pains 2005 in Atlanta GA, September 21-24!
This
update is devoted to the conference, which NILA co-sponsors. If you have any questions, please contact
Stephanie Waugerman, Conference Coordinator at (904) 296-1055, ext. 1013 or
(800) 226-7612 or swaugerman@danielkids.org
Register for
Growing Pains:
Don’t
forget to identify yourself as a NILA member on the registration form –
HOWEVER,
you must be current with you dues to
get the NILA discount.
Take
this opportunity to make sure you are up-to-date!
“Youth Speak Out”
National Youth Forum sponsored by
NILA
Thursday, September 22 from
2:00p-3:30p
We need your help! We want to
hear from youth about their experiences within the foster care system. NILA works hard to advocate for youth in
foster care across the nation but we need to learn directly from our youth
about the issues that are of biggest concern.
We will take what we hear from this
speak out and pass it along to US DHHS so that they can be better informed when
writing policies that affect youth in care.
Specific areas of interest are the
youth’s experiences with:
· Education
· Employment
· Resources for Living Independently
· Experiences with Workers
We are asking that youth share both
positive and negative experiences that may help to improve the system. There will be a panel of listener’s who
represent national organizations that can affect change in these areas.
The panel will use what they hear to help shape policies that directly affect
our youth! In addition, the information
gathered from the youth will be put in an open letter to media outlets and the
decision-makers who most affect our youth.
If know a youth that wants to be
heard, send them to the NILA table anytime before the forum to sign up! Also, if they have something to say but
don’t want to speak, write it down and leave it with us at the NILA table and
one of our youth facilitators will make sure that voice is heard!
-7612 or visit us
information or to request a FREE product catalog1-800-226-7612 or visit us
online:
Please
help! If you have pictures, stories,
RESOURCES, or if you want your agency’s website on NILA’s website, please
contact me at mailto:salevy@nilausa.org
It’s time to recognize those who have
been outstanding in the field of independent living…
The annual NILA Awards, presented at Growing Pains, needs your
nominations. Attached to the e-mail in
which you received the update is the nomination form. Please take a moment, read the description of each award, and
nominate those who fit each category.
You may submit as many nominations as you would like. After the nomination period, members will
vote on the NILA and Founder’s Awards.
The youth board members will vote on the Youth Award winner. All
nominations are due by Wednesday, August 10th.
NILA Award:
Presented to an outstanding service provider/agency that has shown sound efforts and a strong commitment to advocating on behalf of young people in care, provides valuable resources and support to independent living and transitional living programs. Special recognition for achievements, events, and extraordinary program service success in the field of independent living.
Past Founder’s Award Winners
Include:
1999 - Bill Pinto
2000 - Mark Kroner
2001 - Dottie Ansel
2002 - Karolyn Gould
2003 - Bill Griffin
2004 - Kathi Crowe
Founder’s Award:
Presented to the NILA member who has dedicated themselves to NILA’s mission beyond expectations. Their commitment to NILA has been long term and their convictions to better program practices, healthier policies and to a higher quality of care for older adolescents has been unwavering.
Past
NILA Award Winners Include:
2000 - California Youth Connections (CA)
2001 - Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TX)
2002 - National Resource Center for Youth Services (OK)
2003 - Lighthouse Youth Services (OH) and Microlife, Inc. (WI)
2004 - Daniel Memorial, Inc. (FL)
Youth Award:
Presented to an individual
youth whose achievements in Independent Living Skills training has proven to be
outstanding and commendable. This
individual is an achiever, an excellent role model to peers, positive community
member, and an encouraging leader.
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS TODAY!!!
Make sure you take advantage of the special airfare,
hotel, and car rental rates listed in the conference brochure and on the web
site!
Look for these NILA events at the Growing Pains conference:
Wednesday,
September 21st
4:00-7:30
pm NILA Board Meeting
7:30-8:30
pm Welcome Dessert Reception (Sponsored
by DMI and NILA)
Thursday,
September 22nd
2:00-3:30
pm Youth Speak Out (Sponsored
by NILA)
4:00-5:00
pm Annual NILA Meeting
Friday,
September 23rd
9:00
am NILA Awards Presentation at the
General Session
Please…PAY YOUR DUES!!!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
What’s Happening?
*Look for Growing Pains September 21st-24th
*Look for new articles monthly on the
website nilausa.org
*Look for success stories!