Competence and Confidence: Partners in Policymaking—C2P2 2025

Learn to work with policymakers to make a difference in the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or autism.

Become a leader in your community. Educate. Empower. Lead.

C2P2 is a free program for:

• Family members of a school-age child in Pennsylvania with an intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or autism;
• Adults in Pennsylvania with an intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or autism.

The application period for C2P2 2025 will open on October 7, 2024.
The application period will close at 5 p.m. on November 25, 2024.
A limited number of applications will be accepted.
All applicants will receive email notification if they are accepted or not accepted during the week of December 16, 2024.

Session Days and Locations

Participants must make a time commitment to travel to Harrisburg to attend ALL in-person trainings and also participate in ALL virtual trainings via Zoom (from any location).

In-Person Trainings

Location: Temple University's Harrisburg Campus. Overnight accommodations and meals are included.

• Fridays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Virtual Trainings

Virtual sessions are held on Zoom.

• Fridays from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

2025 Session Dates

• January 24-25 and 29 (virtual)
• ​February 21-22 and 26 (virtual)
• March 7-8 (in-person)
• April 4-5 and 23 (virtual)
• May 30-31* (in-person, legislative visits *dates subject to change based on legislative session held in Capitol building)
• June 13-14 and 25 (virtual)
• July 25-26 (in-person)
• September 12-13 (in-person, graduation)

Participants Will Learn

• About local, state and national issues affecting people with disabilities;
• To foster a partnership between people who need supports and services and those who make policy and law;
• To advocate for themselves and others;
• To teach policymakers a new way of thinking about people with disabilities.

Topics

• History of the Self-Advocacy and Independent Living Movement
• History of the Family Movement
• Visioning for a Preferred Future
• Best Practices in:
  • Early Intervention
  • Inclusive Education
  • Transition
  • Employment
  • Community Inclusion
• Federal, State and Local Laws and Regulations
• How to effectively educate Legislators
• How to run a meeting
• How to serve on a Board of Directors
• Effective Communication
• Conflict resolution
• Assistive Technology
• Waivers
• Community of Practice in Supporting Families and in Employment
• Community Engagement
• Community Organizing and Resource Development

Requirements

• Applicants MUST commit to attending both sessions, all eight weekends.
• Attendees must review all materials before and after each session.
• Homework will be assigned and must be completed.

Funded by Pennsylvania's Office of Developmental Programs.