John O’Brien
March 2011
What we Learned: A report on a visit to the Community Participation Initiative in Kalamazoo, MI.
The most important thing we learned is that investing in the work of organizing and supporting a network of partnerships with and among community associations generates rich opportunities for participation by a growing number of children, young people, and adults with developmental disabilities (more than 200 to date). As the Initiative’s partners have become intentional about inclusion, growing numbers of people with developmental disabilities have joined them in an increasing variety of ways. Sustained investment by Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services allows the flexible support to people, families and partners that’s necessary to open new opportunities.
