Center For Self-Advocacy
NMDDC Center for Self-Advocacy
Center for Self-Advocacy Program
The Center for Self Advocacy is focused on helping and supporting children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and diverse abilities, to:
- Become empowered
- Make their own decisions
- Speak up for themselves and others
- Take control of their own lives
- Create awareness about disability issues
- Achieve maximum independence and quality of life
With these goals in mind the NMDDC established:
- The Leadership Academy
- The Marilyn Martinez State Jobs Program
- CSA in the Community: a comprehensive community outreach program
Tip Sheets!
Do you need some quick answers or helpful insight? We may have already covered it - look here!
What is a Self Advocate?
A self advocate is a person who knows their rights and stands up for them. They are a person who wants to make their own decisions in their lives and believe in their ability to live as independent and satisfying a life as possible. They also help other people stand up for their rights and live as good a life as possible. If that sounds like you, get in touch with us.
CSA in the Community
The CSA is involved in events happening around the state, throughout the year. We would love for you to join us!
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[Linked registration form]
The Center for Self-Advocacy Partnerships
The CSA is proud to partner with like-minded and complementary organization throughout the state of New Mexico, in our efforts to advocate for, and fill the needs of our diverse disability communities.
University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability – The Center for Development and Disability (CDD), established in 1990, is New Mexico's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (UCEDD). Their mission is to advance exemplary services, research, education and policies that support the well-being of all New Mexicans. The CSA collaborates with multiple programs at UNM CDD to improve the lives of New Mexicans with disabilities and their families. These programs include:
The Partners in Policymaking program is a program based on a nationwide model that is designed to train a network of individuals who work with elected officials to influence positive change for individuals with developmental disabilities. The CSA Outreach Coordinator conducts a regular presentation on Independent Living and the CSA Program Manager serves on their advisory council. Both CSA staff are alumni of the program.
The New Mexico Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NMLEND) - NMLEND is a year-long training program for an interdisciplinary cohort whose purpose is to improve the health of infants, children and adolescents with disabilities. They accomplish this by preparing trainees from diverse professional disciplines to assume leadership roles in their respective fields and by ensuring high levels of interdisciplinary clinical competence. The CSA Program Manager is the current Self-Advocate Faculty and was an alumni of the program from 2015-16. He helped establish the Self-Advocate Discipline within the Program.
The THRIVE Program - THRIVE is designed to teach life skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorder ages 18-30. The CSA Program Manager assists in teaching the self-advocacy portion of the curriculum and is a part of the planning team.
The Arc of New Mexico – The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. The Arc of New Mexico works in conjunction with the Developmental Disabilities Council to put on the yearly Moving Forward Conference and Self-Advocacy Summit.
Parents Reaching Out – The mission of Parents Reaching Out is to enhance positive outcomes for families and children in New Mexico through informed decision-making, advocacy, education and resources. Parents Reaching Out provides networking opportunities for families to connect with and support each other. The CSA works with the PRO transition program called Forward@14 and assists in conducting a presentation on disability rights.
The Center for Self-Advocacy Participation on Community Boards
CSA is honored to participate on several community boards as we come together in service of people with disabilities throughout New Mexico.
Advisory Council on Quality – The Advisory Council on Quality Supports for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (ACQ) advises the New Mexico Department of Health on the systems guiding the provision of services and supports that assist people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) of all ages and their families to be fully included in New Mexico communities. The group recently won the Cathy Anderson Award for Public-Private Partnership (see here). The CSA Program Manager is the co-chair of the council.
New Mexico Allies for Advocacy – New Mexico Allies for Advocacy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization for people with disabilities that is also run by people with disabilities. The mission and purpose of New Mexico Allies for Advocacy, Inc. is to bring together self-advocates, advocates and communities from across New Mexico to unite and educate the general public about disability issues to improve inclusion, decrease discrimination and enhance quality of life and community participation with full access to effective and qualified communication. The CSA Outreach Coordinator is the Past President while the CSA Program Manager is the Secretary.
New Mexico Affiliate of The National Federation of the Blind – The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is a consumer organization of blind people working together to improve opportunities for the blind and increase the understanding of blindness among the general public. The National Federation of the Blind is the largest organization of the blind in America. Interested sighted persons also join. Founded in 1940, the Federation has grown to include over 50,000 members. The CSA Outreach Coordinator is a past officer in the organization and attends regular meetings and events.
Behavioral Health Planning Council – The Behavioral Health Planning Council serves as an Advisory body to the Governor of New Mexico, the Legislature, and the Behavioral Health Collaborative (BHC). Members of the BHPC are appointed by the Governor; they include individuals with lived experience in behavioral health and substance abuse issues, family members, providers, advocates, Native American representatives, seniors and state agencies. The CSA Program Manager is the DDC’s representative on the council
CSA Quarterly Reports
Contact information
Daniel Ekman
Program Manager
(505) 670-5698
Daniel.Ekman@ddc.nm.gov
Lindsay Sloan
Outreach Coordinator
(505) 259-4013
Lindsay.Sloan@ddc.nm.gov
Vashad Frink
Marilyn Martinez State Jobs Program Intern
(505) 259-4854
Vashad.Frink@ddc.nm.gov