NYS DDPC Announces $49,000 Awarded to The Consortium on Innovative Practices

ALBANY, NY (06/15/2007)(readMedia)-- New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) announces $49,000 awarded to the Consortium On Innovative Practices to research, evaluate and support the Congregational Inclusion Project in Central New York at the Developmental Disabilities Service Office.

George E. Fertal, Sr., Chairperson, announced that on June 1, 2007 the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) awarded $49,000 to the Consortium on Innovative Practices (CIP) to research, evaluate and support the Congregational Inclusion project in Central New York at the Developmental Disabilities Service Office catchments area.

Developmental Centers for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in New York State have been closing steadily in the past 20 years; this means that people with developmental disabilities have more opportunities to live in the community and make choices about many aspects of their life. One aspect of living in the community is the ability to select and participate in religious or spiritual activities. During the past 10 years, research has indicated that people with developmental disabilities both value and benefit from religious participation. A Harris Survey indicated that 84% of people with disabilities rated religious faith as “important” and/or “very important”. Furthermore, research indicates that participation in religious activities improves self-esteem, helps develop meaningful friendships and promotes the feeling of truly being a part of the community.

The Reverend Dennis R. Meyer, Pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Scotia, New York and a DDPC member said, “We welcome people with developmental disabilities at our church and very much need and appreciate the assistance this project will provide. It will assure that we are doing this as effectively as possible.”

Jinny Ellis, a parent from the Central New York area, observed: “Attending a religious service makes such a profound impact and brings so much joy and comfort to individuals with developmental disabilities. For so many, this is the first time they have ever been exposed to this setting and there is no question that it is enormously beneficial in many ways. The DDPC funded grant to the Consortium on Innovative Practices project is exactly what we need if we are going to assure that every person who has a developmental disability has this opportunity.”

“Church is the one place that acceptance and inclusion occurs naturally” said Ann Scherff, mother of five children, three with developmental disabilities.

The DDPC is a federally funded state agency dedicated to designing and implementing new programs that serve people with developmental disability and their families in the most effective way possible. Sixty percent of the governor appointed membership is parents and people with developmental disabilities. For more information on the DDPC, go to: www.ddpc.state.ny.us

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