The New York State Partners in Policymaking program will begin again in 2011 with a new design and delivery format to allow for outreach to a much broader and larger population.  Maintaining its original purpose and philosophy, the program will continue as an exemplary leadership development opportunity for parents and self-advocates. 

In response to a request from the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) to develop and evaluate an interactive distance learning format, The Advocacy Center and the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University have joined forces to design and test an interactive distance learning format for the Partners in Policymaking program.   Some participants may meet face-to-face for a few of the sessions, but the majority will be participating from their own homes or an independent off-site location. 

This model complements the diverse learning styles and needs of the typical Partners audience and addresses barriers to participation that existed with the previous delivery format.  The importance of community building as part of the Partners experience will be embraced and encouraged through quality instruction and opportunities using different modalities.

A common core curriculum will be used; however, three ways of delivering the training will be tested and evaluated:

• one group will meet at Cornell University three times and on-line four times,
• one group will meet at Cornell University one time and on-line six times,
• one group will meet entirely on-line with no face-to-face encounters.