Mid-career professionals in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to submit applications for a one-year fellowship in Washington, DC to observe and participate in federal
public policy development through work as staff of a congressional committee or federal agency. Outstanding policy experience is sought in

1) state-level advocacy;

2) education, law, economics, criminal justice, international issues,
child welfare or other social services, housing, community organizing,
etc.; 3) health or mental health care policy affecting persons with
intellectual disabilities; or 4) developmental of family support
services. For application details see the announcement at www.jpkf.org.
The deadline is September 1. Address questions to Jill Fosse,
301-565-5476.

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
Parent Public Policy Fellowship Program 2005

The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking parents of persons with intellectual disabilities (mental retardation) for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, DC. During this one year Fellowship, the successful applicant will learn how legislation is initiated, developed, and passed by the Congress, or how programs are administered and regulations promulgated by federal agencies.
Each year the Foundation brings a parent or close family member of a child with a disability to Washington for a full year, where they actively participate in public policy development through work on the staff of a congressional committee, or a federal agency. Former parent fellows describe the Fellowship as a major turning point in their lives. The year offers exciting opportunities to be involved in policy and legislative development in key areas such as special education, health and mental health care for persons with intellectual disabilities, child care, housing, justice, child welfare and other areas related to improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has supported the creation of programs of national significance to benefit persons with intellectual disabilities, their families and their communities. The Foundation has always worked with national leaders who understand the realities of government. The need for skilled leadership in government and public policy is contant. In response to this need. the Foundation initiated the Public POlicy Fellowship Program in 1980 and the Parent Public POlicy Fellowship Program in 1995. Fellows receive first-hand knowledge and experience in the development of public policy and the opportunity to participate in the intensive week-long Bioethics course at Georgetown University's Kennedy Institute of Ethics.

We seek parents or other family members with outstanding experience in:

State-level advocacy for persons with intellectual disabilities and their families, beyond the level of advocacy to benefit solely the candidate's own child;
employment, education, child care, child welfare, law, criminal justice, economics, community organizing or development of community supports and services;
federal and state insurance and financial assistance programs, health or mental health care for people with intellectual disabilities (mental retardation); or
development of family training or family support services.
The successful applicant's background will include distinguished involvement in efforts to improve the lives of persons with intellectual and other disabilities at the regional, state or national level. Salaried experience in the field is NOT a requirement. The expectation is that fellows will become future leaders in the field of disabilities, and will return home after their year in Washington to make significant contributions to policy and program development in their home state. Past parent fellows have gone on to careers as leaders of non-profit advocacy and service organizations, Congressional staff and Federal political appointees.

The program provides a one-year full-time exposure to the federal public policy making process, and includes a stipend and relocation expenses in a package totaling $75,000. Program applicants must be from the United States. Selected fellows must be prepared to live in the Washington, DC area during their fellowship year and to devote themselves full-time to the fellowship.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Applicants should submit a 2-4 page letter stating their interest and accomplishments to date, and what they hope to do with the knowledge and experience gained from the fellowship. They should also attach either a résumé (preferred) or a summary of their involvement in the field, and at least three letters of support. Please direct any questions about the application process to Jill Fosse, 301-565-5476.

Applications should show the candidate's name, address, telephone number(s), and e-mail address on the first page. It is expected that all applicants will have easy access to e-mail, and all informal correspondence with applicants will be via e-mail. Applicants are requested to send their application letters and résumés via e-mail attachment (i.e. not in the body of the e-mail) to jfosse@jpkf.org. Letters of support are welcomed via e-mail if they contain embedded letterhead and signature. Otherwise, e-mailed letters will be considered placeholders until a hard copy with the supporter's signature is received via regular mail. Completed applications must be e-mailed or postmarked by September 1, 2004.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible, since a mailing date of September 1 is the absolute deadline for completed applications. Any applications that are still incomplete or mailed or e-mailed after the deadline will not be considered. The Fellowship starting date will be negotiated with the successful applicant, but the fellowship is expected to begin in January of 2005. Finalists will be invited to Washington in the Fall to be interviewed by a distinguished panel of public policy experts.

Hard copies of letters of reference should be addressed to the Foundation's administrative offices:

MARK RUSSELL
Executive Director
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
1010 Wayne Avenue
Suite 650 Silver Spring, MD 20910


ATTENTION: Parent Public Policy Fellowship Program