Press Releases
Advocates go to Washington
By LINDA D. SMITH, Public Relations Director
Champaign Residential Services, Inc.
Members of the CRSI advocacy team traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Disability Policy Seminar held February 14-16. The group joined over 600 other advocates from across the country to hear from leading public policy experts, disability advocates and Congressional staff about key policies important to the disability community. Representing CRSI were John Hannah, consumer advocate; Kathy Rader, advocacy director; and Luke Baker, UI/MUI specialist.
During the first two full days of the seminar held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, programs included information about the Affordable Care Act, autism, budget issues, the Developmental Disabilities Act, education, employment, housing Medicaid/Medicare, and Social Security.
On the third day, all 600 attendees converged on Capitol Hill where legislative staff was available from both the House and Senate sides to discuss the issues important to the disability population of Ohio. The CRSI contingency meet with staff representing U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and U.S. Senator Rob Portman. Hannah spoke to both sides of the isle to advocate for a sustained budget for people with disabilities.
Pictured in a sit-down discussion in Congressman Jim Jordan’s office on Capitol Hill are (L-R) Luke Baker; John Hannah; Paul Jarvis, Ohio DD Council; a representative from the LEND program of the University of Cincinnati; and Randee Olney, legislative assistant to Congressman Jordan.