Dear Friends of my blog–I would like to extend an invitation from my good friend John Agosta, Ph.D. of Oregon. He and some of his friends from around the country including Julie Petty, former President and colleague from SABE, will be hosting a national dialogue on the state of the country in terms of investing in A Life Like Yours!  I have pasted the invitation below. There are three dates, March 2, 2009, April 6, 2009 and May 4, 2009. I would like to invite you to join us here at The Arc on March 2, 2009 at 2:30 to join inon the call–and help shape the direction of our country!  thanks Jill

Hi there to all of you!You are invited to join us in a National Conversation on the State of the States’ Budgets! Sign up now to participate in three teleconferences featuring real talk between self-advocates and state Directors of developmental disability services. The national economy is in trouble. Every day we hear news about people losing their jobs and people spending less. This will reduce state budgets which will affect disability services. We are already hearing about cuts to services.  This is not a good thing. And so we must act!  Self-advocates and State Directors need to talk about things and work together to reduce the impact of these cuts on people’s lives.  But first, we must work together to come up with some common solutions.  After all…  self-advocates say “Nothing About Us Without Us!”There are 3 teleconferences, each lasting 90 minutes.  Each teleconference will start at 3pm EASTERN TIME.  Each will be facilitated by Julie Petty of HSRI, a nationally respected self-advocate.  Each time our speakers will have time to talk with one another and then will answer questions from you and others across the nation.  The first one, on March 2,  will give state directors a chance to explain to self-advocates what is going on around the country and why.  Three state directors will lead the discussion.  They include Mary Lee Fay from Oregon, Steve Hall from Georgia and Max Chamura from New York. The second one, on April 6, will focus on self-advocate opinions about what to do about it.  Three self-advocates will lead that discussion.  They include Mike Rogers of Washington, Chester Finn of New York and one other.The third one, on May 4, will give state directors and self-advocates a chance to talk about what they can do together during these troubled times.  It important for self-advocates and state directors to work together!The registration fee for each teleconference is $25.  If you register for all three the cost is $60.  You can listen on your own or bring people together around a speaker phone.  This is a GREAT WAY for self-advocates to hear about what is going on and to join with others nationally.  Parents and staff are invited too!Don’t miss out.  REGISTER NOW!  Go here for more information:  www.theriotrocks.org and follow the links on the Home page.And PLEASE…  pass this email on to your friends!If you have any questions, give us a call.  Call us at HSRI.  Talk to Jennifer Negus at 503-924-3783 x 10.John  ___________________________John Agosta Ph.D.Human Services Research Institute7420 SW Bridgeport Road (#210)Portland  OR  97224JAgosta@hsri.org503-924-3783 (ext 11)503-910-4530 (cell)