NAP- Neighborhood Alliance of Pawtucket

Fellowships available for RI College Students

December 3rd for Spring 2008 Application

RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
Executive Department
GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
John O. Pastore Center, 41 Cherry Dale Court
Cranston, RI 02920-3049
[voice] (401) 462-0102 [tty] via RI Relay 711 [fax] 462-0106
[e-mail] bcooper@gcd.ri.gov [website] www.disabilities.ri.gov

Description of graphic: RI State Seal an anchor in gold behind a blue wheelchair logo. Just below is a blue banner with the state motto “Hope”. All are in the center of a ring of 8 blue stars, in groups of 2 separated by the logos for Braille, hearing aids, low vision and amplified phone.

GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
ANNOUNCES
$2,588 FELLOWSHIP
FELLOW EDWARD J. SCHROEDER (LEGISLATION) FELLOW

DATES FOR 2007 - 2008 Spring 08
Deadline for applications
(to be in the GCD Office) December 3rd
Interviews of Applicants December 7th
Notification of selection December 10th
Fellows’ orientation meeting week of December 16th
Fellowship completed by the End of May


PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Governor’s Commission on Disabilities (GCD) Fellowships provides semester long part-time placements with the Commission in Cranston, RI, working on disability policy and research. The Fellow will assist one of the committees and, through individualized learning experiences, become familiar with procedures used to design and implement disability policy. Mentor experiences will introduce the Fellow to disability policy issues and actions at the local, state, and federal levels. The Governor’s Commission on Disabilities is an independent state agency responsible for reviewing all state laws, programs, and policies concerning children and adults with disabilities and making policy recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.
THE FELLOWSHIP OFFERS
As a GCD Fellow, you will be assigned to a specific placement, providing assistance to the Commission in disability policy. The fellowship offers you a unique opportunity to:
• Gain perspective on the role and responsibility of the Commission;
• Expand your knowledge of national/state disability programs, policy issues and research;
• Meet with decision makers, experts and critics in disability and related policy fields and;
• Develop networks with local, regional, and national based experts, and researchers who can assist in career development and future endeavors.
The Commission will provide a living expense stipend of $2,588 during the semester and reimbursement for authorized travel.
WHAT YOU OFFER THE FELLOWSHIP
As a GCD Fellow, you will provide assistance to the Commission as it relates to disability policy and / or the formulation of legislation. At least one GCD Fellowship is available each semester. Students wanting to see the "policy" side as opposed to the "clinical" side of the human service system would find the fellowships a worthwhile experience. The “Edward J. Schroeder Fellow”, which is only offered in the spring, tracks legislation, edits a weekly news bulletin and assists in the development of legislation impact statements for the Governor and General Assembly.
ELIGIBILITY
This program is designed for individuals with demonstrated leadership and expertise in policy and research affecting people with disabilities. Candidates must:
• Have completed at least 3 semesters of college-level study;
• Be enrolled as a full or part-time student in an accredited college or university in Rhode Island;
• Have leadership ability;
• Have the endorsement of a current/former supervisor;
• Have approval on the part of the college/university to receive credit for the fellowship if selected;
• Have the ability to participate in the semester-long program in Rhode Island for at least two hundred and forty (240) hours during the semester; and
• Demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the fellowship (see list of duties on the attached pages).
APPLICATION PERIODS
The Commission accepts applications in September for the Fall Semester, January for the Spring Semester, and June for the Summer Semester. See the front cover for the deadline for the coming semester or contact the Commission at (401) 462-0100 [voice] 462-0101 [tty] 462-0106 [fax] or you can e-mail us at disabilities@gcd.ri.gov.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
The Commission urges college students with disabilities, from minority groups, and those enrolled in a course of study in education or human services for persons with disabilities to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered by the selection panel applicants must be eligible and submit all the requested information to the:
Fellowship Selection Committee
Governor's Commission on Disabilities
John O. Pastore Center
41 Cherry Dale Court
Cranston, RI 02920-3049
Applicants will only be considered if all the information requested (see next page) has arrived at the Commission’s office by the deadline listed on the cover. Please submit all the information together in one envelope/folder. The only information that may be submitted late is the approval to receive credit from the college.
APPLICATION FORMAT
 Biographical data: A listing of the following information on a single sheet or two:
* Name, home & school addresses, and day time telephone numbers;
* Education data (including universities or colleges attended, major fields, degree(s) granted and dates);
* Employment history for two most recent positions (including title and dates, name of employer, and description of duties), and
* Life experience(s) related to people with disabilities
 Narrative Statement: A one-page typewritten description (ASCII disk or audiotape) identifying:
* Which Fellowship(s) you are interested in;
* Why you are applying for that (those) Fellowship(s);
* What skills and experience you offer the Commission;
* What you expect to gain and how will you use the knowledge and skills gained after you complete your fellowship; and
* A description of your ability to perform the duties of the fellowship(s) [see list of duties on the attached pages]
 Letter of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation from a current or most recent supervisor (i.e. employer, teacher, counselor) describing your:
* Skills and abilities as they relate to the duties of the fellowship(s);
* Ability to work with groups; and
* Relationship to the supervisor (i.e. employer/ employee, teacher/ student, counselor/ client).
 College Credit: A letter from your college/university stating that if you are selected, the college will award credit for the fellowship.

INCOMPLETE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
The only information that may be submitted beyond the deadline is the letter from the college / university-indicating credit would be awarded for completion of this fellowship.

EDWARD J. SCHROEDER (LEGISLATION) FELLOW
(Available Spring Semester Only)
The Fellow’s duties include:
1. Reviewing each bill introduced into the Rhode Island General Assembly to identify those that might impact on the quality of life of individuals with disabilities (children or adults).
2. For each bill identified as impacting on the lives of individuals with disabilities, writing a summary that includes:
a) a brief concise description of the intent of the bill,
b) the names of the sponsors of the bill,
c) the committee the bill has been assigned to,
d) the date the bill was introduced,
e) the area the bill is most likely to impact on [appropriation, civil rights, health care, social services, education, employment, independent living, etc.],
f) the current laws to be amended by the bill.
3. Tracking the movement of each bill, through hearings, amendments, votes, etc.
4. Editing a weekly newsletter that includes the summaries of bills, and reports on any changes to the bills throughout the legislative session, including:
a) dates of hearings,
b) outcomes of the hearings,
c) a description of how any amendment to a bill, changes the original description of the bill;
d) dates for votes by the House or Senate,
e) the number of votes for and against the bill,
f) the committee the bill has been assigned to after passage by the House or Senate,
g) the action of the Governor on bills passed by both House and Senate, and
h) the effective date of any bills signed into law.
5. Preparing a monthly status report on bills the Legislation Committee is interested in, and reporting to the Committee at their monthly meeting on bills.
6. Observing the rules of confidentiality regarding the privacy of the parties and cases before the Commission.