New disability organization established

A new organization called the CNMI Association of Families with Disabilities has been established in the CNMI—a non-profit disability organization for families of children and adults with developmental disabilities.

The group was formed in line with the mandate of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance & Bill of Rights Act of 2000’ to establish or strengthen a program for the direct funding of a state self-advocacy organizations led by individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

The group is supported by the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities Five-Year State Plan Quality Assurance and the Council’s Family Support 360 Project Goals.

During their first two initial meetings facilitated by the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities, the group unanimously elected Lisa A. Aldan as president; Joel Omar, vice president; Josephine A. Cabrera, board secretary and Vick O. Tudela, treasurer. After the election, the group unanimously decided on the name for their organization.

Soon thereafter, the group adopted their very own operating bylaws and immediately were officially incorporated and chartered under laws of the Commonwealth.

The new organization’s main focus is to advocate on behalf of families of children and/or adults with developmental disabilities. To be a member, one must be a parent, immediately relative or guardian of a child or adult with developmental disabilities.

At the request of the CNMI Council on DD Family Support 360 Project, the organization assisted with the design of the One Stop Family Service Center, which was conceptualized under the family Support 360 Planning Grant funded by the U.S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities and administered by the CNMI CDD.

Also, the CNMI through the CNMI CDD submitted a Family Support 360 Implementation Grant to fund the One Stop Family Service Center and CNMI AFWD.

“The CNMI AFWD highly supported the grant application and is committed to operating and managing the center beginning FY2005 thru 2010,” the new group said in a statement.

It is the mission of the center to support, nurture, and bring together services, which promote the well-being of culturally diverse families. The first year’s goal of the center is to recruit 50 families with transportation, respite care and assistive technology needs.

The CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities has already secured local and federal financial assistances and stands ready to provide technical assistances such as training. Just recently, the president of the association has been appointed by Gov. Juan N. Babauta to serve on the board of the CNMI CDD representing non-profit organizations.

The organization’s first special events will highlight individuals with disabilities and hold monthly meetings, which will be regularly announced in the media.

The membership is open to families living on Rota and Tinian and the officers encourage them to join.

If you are interested to join or volunteer, please call the following officers:

* Lisa Aldan (president) at 483-0395;
* Joel Omar (vice president) at 233-2840;
* Josephine Cabrera (secretary) at 287-4144; or
* Vicki Tudela (treasurer) at 288-7676.

Additionally, you may call or write and leave messages with the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities at 664-7000 or email the council at fsp@cnmiddcouncil.org.