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MORE INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED SOON FOR THE
2008 FELLOWSHIP PROCESS!!
Information for Parents/Family Members
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking outstanding professionals working in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with mental retardation, intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. 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 talented and accomplished professionals 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 Public Policy Fellows describe the Fellowship as a major turning point in their lives. The coming 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 mental retardation, child care, housing, justice, child welfare and other areas related to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental retardation/intellectual disabilities.
Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has supported the creation of practical programs to benefit persons with mental retardation, 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 has never been greater. In response to this need, the Foundation initiated the Public Policy Fellowship Program in 1980. Fellows receive first-hand knowledge and experience in the development of public policy and the opportunity to participate in an advocacy training workshop, national disability policy seminars and the intensive week-long Bioethics course at Georgetown University’s Kennedy Institute of Ethics.
We seek professionals with outstanding experience in:
The successful applicant’s background will include distinguished involvement in efforts to improve the lives of persons with mental retardation and other disabilities at the regional, state or national level. The expectation is that fellows will become future leaders in the field of inclusive community supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and will return home after their year in Washington to make significant contributions to policy and program development in their home state or continue to advance their work on the national level.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants should submit a letter between 2 and 4 pages 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 or a summary of their involvement in the field, and three letters of support from people familiar with their work. Please direct any questions about the application process to 202-393-1250. Applications should show the candidate’s name, address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address on the first page. The preferred method of sending application letters and résumés is via e-mail attachment (i.e. not in the body of the e-mail) to info@jpkf.org Applicants may follow up with hard copies via regular mail if they wish. Letters of support are also encouraged via e-mail but a hard copy on letterhead with the supporter’s signature must follow in the mail. Applicants are encouraged to secure the application materials with a binder clip when sending hard copies. Applications must be sent to the Foundation’s office by September 15, 2006.
Address letters of application to:
MRS. EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
1133 19th Street NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
ATTENTION: Professional Public Policy Fellowship Program
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking parents of persons with mental retardation, intellectual and developmental disabilities for an intensive one-year Public Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C. 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 person 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 coming 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 mental retardation, child care, housing, justice, child welfare and other areas related to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental retardation/intellectual disabilities.
Since its founding in 1946, the Foundation has supported the creation of practical programs to benefit persons with mental retardation, 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 has never been greater. In response to this need, the Foundation initiated the Public Policy Fellowship Program in 1980. 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:
The successful applicant’s background will include distinguished involvement in efforts to improve the lives of persons with mental retardation 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.
The program provides a one-year full-time exposure to the federal public policy making process, and includes a stipend and relocation expenses. 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 letter between 2 and 4 pages statin 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 or a summary of their involvement in the field, and three letters of support from people familiar with their work. Please direct any questions about the application process to 202-393-1250. Applications should show the candidate’s name, address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address on the first page. The preferred method of sending application letters and résumés is via e-mail attachment (i.e. not in the body of the e-mail) to info@jpkf.org Applicants may follow up with hard copies via regular mail if they wish. Letters of support are also encouraged via e-mail but a hard copy on letterhead with the supporter’s signature must follow in the mail. Applicants are encouraged to secure the application materials with a binder clip when sending hard copies. Applications must be sent to the Foundation’s office by September 15, 2006.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible, since a postmark of September 15 is the absolute deadline for the receipt of completed applications. Any applications that are still incomplete or postmarked after the deadline will not be considered. The Fellowship starting date will be negotiated with the successful applicant, but is expected to begin in January of 2007. Finalists will be invited to Washington in the Fall to be interviewed by a distinguished panel of Public Policy experts.
Address letters of application to the Foundation’s administrative offices:
MRS. EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation
1133 19th Street NW, 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
ATTENTION: Parent Public Policy Fellowship Program