Advocacy Scholars Program

The Ohio Association of County Boards of DD is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind program designed to prepare and empower people   with developmental disabilities to participate in statewide policy and advocacy conversations within Ohio’s county board system.

This new initiative—the OACB Advocacy Scholars Program—will award one annual scholarship to a person from each of OACB’s eight geographic regions to participate in the esteemed Project STIR™ Leadership Training organized by the Ohio Self-Determination Association (OSDA). These eight annual scholarships will cover all costs and fees associated with participating in Project STIR™, and may coincide with additional support from a person’s home county board of DD.

What is Project STIR™?

Project STIR™—or “Steps Toward Independence and Responsibility”—is a training program for advocates (and their allies) designed to provide people with disabilities with the tools to advocate for themselves, work with others in advocacy settings, and gain leadership experiences. By partnering with Project STIR™, OACB seeks to uplift current trailblazers and create the next generation of self-determined leaders within the county board system—with the goal that many of our graduates will become board members at their county boards of DD!

More information about Project STIR™ can be found by visiting https://osdaohio.org/project-stir/. 

After completing their Project STIR™ training, Advocacy Scholars will join a OACB Policy Advisory Committee to help guide and advise the association on matters related to policy proposals and initiatives at local, state, and federal levels, thereby ensuring that the voices and perspectives of people with developmental disabilities are heard and considered throughout the policymaking process.

By participating in this initiative, Advocacy Scholars will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within their communities and beyond. We invite qualified candidates to apply and join us in our commitment to fostering inclusivity, empowerment, and positive change!

Qualifications
To be eligible to become a 2024 OACB Advocacy Scholar, participants must meet the following criteria (unless otherwise noted):

• Applicant must currently be enrolled in services at a county board of DD.
• Applicant must not have previously graduated from Project STIR™ training.
• Applicant must be 16 years of age or older. If an applicant is under the age of 18, the applicant must have permission from a parent or guardian to participate.
• Applicant must be willing to serve on OACB’s Policy Advisory Committee for a period of two years after graduating from Project STIR™ Training, though they may serve on the committee for as long as they would like after the two years have concluded.
• Applicant must be willing to allow their name, image, and likeness be used in conjunction with their participation in the OACB Advocacy Scholars Program. 
• Applicant must be willing to put forth the necessary time, effort, and dedication to complete their Project STIR™ training!
• Applicant must want to gain the skills necessary to be an effective leader in Ohio’s DD system!

Application Process

Applicants must fill out a simple application form that includes their name, contact information, parent/guardian permission (if applicable), and reason for wanting to participate in the OACB Advocacy Scholars Program.

Click here to apply!

Applications will be accepted throughout the year on a first-come, first-serve basis for applicants from each of OACB’s eight geographic regions (see below). Those who are not selected to become an OACB Advocacy Scholar for their region will be placed on a waiting list so that—in the event there is not an applicant from one or more of OACB’s geographic regions—more than one applicant from another region may be accepted into the program.

OACB’s eight geographic regions are as follows:

• North West: Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot.
• North Central: Ashland, Crawford, Delaware, Erie, Huron, Marion, Morrow, Ottawa, Richland, Sandusky and Seneca.
• North East: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne.
• West Central: Allen, Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Shelby and Union.
• East Central: Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Knox, Stark and Tuscarawas.
• South West: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Greene, Hamilton, Highland, Montgomery, Preble and Warren.
• South Central: Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.
• South East: Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Washington.

To download a map of OACB's eight (8) geographic regions, click here.