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Ability Leadership Project of NC - CenterED Resources

Year 2 of 2: 1/1/2026 - 12/31/2026

System Gap Addressed

Goal 3 of the new Five Year Plan: Increase advocacy for individuals with I/DD.

  • Developmental disabilities policy-based advocacy leadership development training programs involve high cost, outcomes tracking challenges, and barriers to long-term participant follow-up.
  • Until October 2023 there were no policy-based advocacy leadership development training programs where people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD), parents, professionals and other stakeholders train together.
  • Also, until October 2023, individuals with I/DD were rarely training facilitators or coordinators for policy-based advocacy leadership training initiatives geared towards individuals with I/DD and their families; and nearly never facilitators and coordinators if the leadership training program is geared toward professionals.

Initiative Goals

Graduates of the ALP-NC leadership development training gain the skills necessary to effectively advocate for themselves and others (e.g., speaking to policy and other decision-makers, give testimony) at local state and federal levels to promote systems change. CenterED Resources will:

  • By December 31, 2026, implement two additional Leader cohorts with the goal of graduating 30 new Leaders with at least 50% identifying as a person with IDD.
  • By December 31, 2026, have 15 fully certified ALP-NC Facilitators (program trainers) with at least 50% identifying as a person with IDD.
  • Implement training approach and content that aligns with ALP-NC's values, methodologies, and mission, specifically addressing the needs of people with I/DD and their family members.
  • Integrate practical examples and relevant case studies to enhance the training's applicability and effectiveness.
  • Update facilitating strategies and techniques to suit the facilitators' skill sets and learning styles, focusing on interactive, participant-engaged methods.
  • Incorporate technological tools and digital platforms to reflect best practices in digital learning.
  • Refine as needed, the learning objectives, language, and terminology to closely align with ALP-NC's goals, target audience, and mission.
  • Ensure the training sessions meet the operational needs and preferences of the initiative staff and Leaders.
  • Maintain contact with former training graduates and the 2025 training graduates.
  • Work with the NCCDD to develop and maintain a method for long-term contact with graduates.

Outcomes to Date

ALP-NC Contractor CenterED Resources (CR) started January 1, 2025. Lead staff from CR worked with former ALP-NC contractor Community Bridges Consulting Group (CBCG) whose contract ended December 31, 2024. Prior to that, CBCG worked with Disability Rights NC for pilot programming of the ALP-NC. Since start up implementation, the initiative accomplished the following:

  • Individuals with I/DD began having lead roles and co-lead all aspects of the training, including training coordination, training facilitation, and evaluation.
  • Finalized the Inclusive Leadership Development Training curriculum.
  • Developed Facilitator’s Guide and accompanying facilitator’s tools. Created a Facilitator Orientation including 2 orientation videos.
  • 114 trainees graduated (including 54 with Disability Rights NC and 32 Leader Advocates with CBCG who held 3 separate Leader Cohorts). Centered Resources graduated 28 Leaders in 2025 from 2 Leader Cohorts. (Cohort 1: 5/2/25 – 6/20/25 (12) and Cohort 2 8/22/25 – 10/17/25 (16)).
  • Maintaining 18 Facilitator Leaders via 3 Facilitator Education Cohorts. Facilitators are trainers of diverse representation including 11 individuals with I/DD.
  • CR maintains distinct roles, including: a Director, Senior Facilitators, Intern Facilitators, Producers, and Leader Advocates.
  • Maintaining Monthly Facilitator and Alumni Meet-Ups and Learning Team meetings. CR is maintaining the monthly e-newsletter. CR will maintain practical assessment plans and practices.
  • Leader engagement efforts include participation in a press conference by Governor Josh Stien on September 25, 2025, and in-person advocacy at the May 2024 I/DD Caucus.

Who can I contact for questions?

NCCDD: Melissa Swartz, Systems Change Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Additional Resources

ALP NC website: www.alpnc.org

Content last updated January 2026