2010 VOR Annual Conference and Washington Initiative

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN
VOR'S 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND WASHINGTON INITIATIVE!

The event held June 4 - 9, 2010 in Washington, D.C. was a great success.

This annual event would not be possible without the generous support of our many Sponsors. Please see the listing below for all those who provided financial support to make our meeting happen. THANK YOU SPONSORS.

This year participants heard presentations from Tom York, an attorney specializing in disability litigation; a representative from the Administration (pending); Paul Heckt, an estate planning attorney; Markus Rose, Legislative Assistant to the Honorable Barney Frank; Mark Diorio, Director of the Northern Virginia Training Center; and Bob Shrewsberry, Director of the Southeastern Virginia Training Center. 
 
This year's event also included a State Report Forum. Visit, http://www.vor.net/news/2010-vor-state-report-forum, for a summary of all reports.
 
Immediately following the VOR Annual Conference, VOR also hosted a Washington Initiative during the week following the conference. During this time, VOR volunteers canvassed Congress with materials relating to our legislative priorities.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

Conference Exhibitor

WhisperGLIDE Swing Company: Accessible swings for everyone. A great additition to your home, group home or ICFs/MR. See the WhisperGLIDE website for complete product information

Conference Recognition Participant

Lutheran Home Association:  The mission of The Lutheran Home Association is to provide for the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional needs of people entrusted to our care.

Platinum Sponsor

• Anonymous

Gold Sponsors

• Parent Hospital Association – Sonoma Developmental Center
An association of Families and Friends for the residents of Sonoma Developmental Center in California.

•  American Health Care Association
The American Health Care Association represents the long term care community, the government, business leaders and the general public. It serves as a force for change within the long-term care field.

• Walter E. Fernald Corporation
A Massachusetts Charitable Corporation Established in 1850. Founders of the First Public Facility in North America to Serve People with Mental Retardation in 1848. Still Under Siege. The Walls Are Crumbling

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
We Make America Happen.

Silver Sponsors

• Mary McTernan – VOR Immediate Past President
This sponsorship is given for Participant Breakfast Vouchers

Bronze Sponsor

• The Sims Family – Robin is VOR President

Capitol Hill Reception

• Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates for the Retarded
To Promote the General Welfare of the Retarded, Wherever They May Be

• Family and Friends Association
North Lake Supports and Services
Hammond, LA

•Association for Hunterdon DC Center, Inc
Bound Brook, NJ

Congressional Leave-Behind Folders (Copying & Labor)

CCMR is a non-profit Massachusetts organization of parents, siblings and others organized and dedicated to the advocacy of all Mentally Retarded people who live in Facilities, State-operated Group Homes, Vendor-operated Group Homes and the Community in the Northeast Region.
 
Equipment Sponsors
 
The VNS™ Therapy System: The mission of Cyberonics is to improve the lives of people touched by epilepsy, depression and other chronic disorders that may prove to be treatable with its patented VNS Therapy. This is fourth annual Cyberonics grant.
 
• Mark Engberg
In memory of my sister, Mary Beth Engberg
  
Lunch Sponsors
  
 
• David & Mary Alice Swain
Long time VOR board member
Nevada
 
• Robert & Evelyn Green
Longtime VOR Members
Arizona State Coordinators
 
•Wrentham Association
“Out of the darkest retreat comes a bit of joy.”
 
•Janice Moskowitz
Washington, DC
 
• Fernald League for the Retarded, Inc.
Waltham, Massachusetts
Family and friends’ advocacy organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for the people with mental retardation who lived or live at Fernald and Templeton Developmental Centers. Founded in 1952 and a plaintiff in the 30-year federal court lawsuit Ricci v. Okin.  Fernald Developmental Center is still open. VOR, thank you for your continued support.
 
Congressional Directories Sponsor

•  Larry Innis
VOR Washington Representative
Innis Associates
Arnold, MD

Break Sponsors

• Fairview Families and Friends
Costa Mesa, CA

• Advocacy Network Incorporated
Amherst, MA

• Edward H. Bumbaum, Esq.
Novack Burnbaum Crystal LLP
New York, NY

• Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund 

Session Sponsors

• Erickson Communities: Discover the many ways we can make your life experience even better! More than just a beautiful place to live!!     

• NVTC Parents and Associates - VA

• Bob and Jane Anthony – Past VOR Board Member, VA

• Julie Huso and Family, VOR Staff Member

• Print Turnaround, Arlington Heights, IL

• VBS Financial Services, Boston, MA

• CNStarz Productions, Sioux Falls, SD

Participant Sponsors

The sponsorships by these organizations and individuals were dedicated to helping to make a trip to Washington, D.C. possible for one or more Annual Meeting and Washington Initiative participant(s).

Advocacy Network, Inc (MA)
Action for Developmental Disabilities (WA)
AFSCME Local 116, Council 24 (WI)
AFSCME Local 634, Council 24 (WI)
Bellefontaine Habilitation Center Parents Association (MO)
California Association of Psychiatric Technicians (CA)
California Association of State Hospital Parent Councils for the Retarded (CASHPCR)
Concerned Citizens for the Mentally Retarded (MA)
Concerned Families of Hazelwood ICF/MR (KY)
Conway Human Developmental Center Parents Group (AR)
Conway Human Developmental Center Volunteer Council (AR)
East Central Georgia Family Council (GA)
DSI/DDC Supporters Inc./ Supporters for Residential Choice (FL)
FF/CFR, State of Arkansas
Families and Friends of North Lake Supports & Services Association (LA)
Fairview Family and Friends (CA)
Friends of Fircrest (WA)
Elbirda Haley
Jonesboro, AR HDC Parents Group
Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates for the Retarded
Mount St. Joseph Family Association (IL)
Parents and Friends of Ludeman Center (IL)
Parents and Relatives of Oakwood Facility (KY)
Parents Coordinating Council & Friends (Lanterman Parent Hospital Association) (CA)
Parent Hospital Association of Sonoma Developmental Center (CA)
Sandra Reeves
Wisconsin Parents Association for the Retarded
Woodbridge Developmental Center Parents Association (NJ)


THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT SPONSORS!!