By robin sweany

Madeline & Zach: Best Buddies https://youtu.be/qJbGmKLlZBg

Best Buddies International: What is it? “We are the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”* *www.bestbuddies.org Best Buddies has organizations at the global, national and state level.

Intellectual/developmental Disability: Who are We Talking About? People with Down Syndrome People with ASD People with Fragile X Syndrome People with Williams Syndrome People with Cerebral Palsy People with TBI

Best Buddies 101 Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver @ Georgetown University Has grown to almost 1,900 chapters worldwide Impacts the lives of over 900,000 people with and without IDD Programs in all 50 states & over 50 countries

What does Best Buddies Do? One-to-one friendships Integrated employment Leadership development The 3 program pillars are (READ SLIDE) Builds one-to-one friendships between people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and without disabilities.This can happen in a school setting, as well as in communities and online. BB jobs program allows people to get and maintain a job in their community and support themselves financially. The leadership development programs include Social mentoring, and leadership training. All of these programs support Inclusion and Improves quality of life for both people with disabilities and without. Often people with disabilities are isolated in school, the community and the workplace.

One-to-one friendships BESTBUDDIES® in Indiana Schools: Middle Schools (24 chapters, over 1,000 participants, 226 buddy pairs) High Schools (48 chapters, over 3,000 participants, 693 buddy pairs) Colleges (15 chapters, over 1,000 participants, 310 buddy pairs) e-BUDDIES® -Best Buddies IN served 76 individuals with and without IDD -34 new participants in 2014 BESTBUDDIES® Citizens 30 participants 15 buddy pairs 7 Cities/6 counties In the schools programs, students are paired and share interests, experiences and activities. The eBuddies program teaches people with IDD computer and social networking skills. Bestbuddies Citizens is like the school programs, but for adults in the community.

Integrated Employment: Best Buddies Jobs Program 84% of adults with IDD do not have a paid job in the community Participants employed full-time can earn up to $1 million over 30 years Ability to support themselves Insurance Contribute $250k in taxes back into economy Save US government $750k each in Federal SSI and Medicaid support I’m In To Hire Campaign https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMCMLezro-A *National Core Indicators 2013-14 Secures jobs for people with IDD so that they can earn an income, have insurance, and have the ability to support themselves independently. The Best Buddies Jobs program has participants employed full-time who each have the potential to earn a total income upwards of $1 million over 30 years and contribute $250,000 in taxes back into the economy, rather than costing the government approximately $750,000 each in during that time period The Jobs program places focus beyond the typical jobs in which a person with IDD might be placed.  Best Buddies focuses on white collar jobs such as: receptionists, mailroom assistants, file clerks, office assistants and retail associates.

Employment with IDD Business Benefits Cost-effective solution to address business needs Improves customer satisfaction results Reduces the recruitment and training costs associated with routinely filling high turnover positions Lower absenteeism and sick leave than other employees Promotes a more diverse and inclusive workplace and enhances employee morale Fosters a culture of corporate responsibility Federal tax incentives available

Leadership Development BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors 50 Ambassadors trained since program inception 26 Total active Ambassadors Educates and empowers people with IDD to become leaders, public speakers and advocates BESTBUDDIES® Promoters Open new chapters and programs Organize special events to promote awareness Ambassadors: Allows people with IDD to learn public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence to advocate for themselves, their peers, and Best Buddies Promotors: Empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD and help open new Best Buddies chapters and programs by organizing special events that promote awareness to the disability rights movement.

How can I get involved with best buddies? Best Buddies month is March Spread the Word to End the Word (1st Wednesday in March) Start a chapter at your school Become a citizens member and get a buddy Encourage students to participate Donate Volunteer at an event

Funding by the number$ 84% goes to programs 11% goes to fundraising 5% goes to administration

Satisfaction research Measures enjoyment, likelihood of participating again, likelihood of recommending BB For those with a disability, 95% enjoyed BB, would do it again and recommend it to a friend. For those volunteers without a disability, 97% enjoyed BB, would participate again and recommend it to someone else. This group also indicated that they support inclusion in schools and communities at a rate of 99%.

Florida legislature office of program policy analysis & government accountability Study found that Best Buddies Participants were: more likely than peers to read at grade level more likely than peers to graduate high school less likely to have discipline incidents

Check for understanding: Let’s Play kahoot! Go to www.kahoot.it on your mobile device or computer. https://play.kahoot.it/#/?quizId=75848997-af27-4b90-a637-4088c6414d45

Resources Best Buddies Global Headquarters 100 Southeast Second St, Suite 2200 Miami, FL 33131  800.89.BUDDY (800.892.8339) https://bestbuddies.org/ Best Buddies Indiana Office Indiana@bestbuddies.org 8604 Allisonville Road, Suite 165 Indianapolis, IN 46250 Phone: 317.436.8440|Fax: 317.436.8438 Toll Free: 1.888.68.BUDDY BESTBUDDIES.ORG/INDIANA http://www.imintohire.org/ West, M., & Scott, L. (2011). State-Funded Mentoring Program Performance Mixed; Take Stock and Best Buddies Do Well (pp. 1-16, Rep. No. 11-11). Talahassee, FL.