The Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation is Looking For Advisory Board Members

Would you like to learn about services provided by Massachusetts for individuals with mental retardation? Your involvement can make a difference in their lives.

The Metro Regional Citizens Advisory Board of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation is looking for a few new members. If you live and/or work in the any of the cities and towns served by the Metro Region you are eligible to serve. Please check the DMR website or call to get more information. The web address is http://www.dmr.state.ma.us/About_the_DMR.html

Citizen Advisory Boards (CAB) advise DMR area, regional, and statewide administrators on community needs. They work for positive change. Board members are involved in activities such as quality assurance, community education, legislative advocacy, and board development. Some conduct Family/Citizen monitoring, where board members visit homes and programs to assess the quality of supports provided to individuals.

CAB members include people served by the Department, family members, guardians, professionals, and other interested people in the community. Members serve on boards in communities where they live or work. Volunteers who serve on this Board will learn about the needs of individuals with mental retardation, the programs provided by DMR and have an opportunity to improve the quality of life of the citizens of the Metro region who have mental retardation.

There are 4 Regional Citizens Advisory Boards in the Commonwealth. They serve the four DMR Regions of the Commonwealth.

Interested applicants are invited to attend one or a few meetings to determine if they want to become members. The meetings are held on the last Monday evening of each month, from 7 to 9 pm at Mass Bay Community College in Wellesley.

If interested call Lucie Chansky, Board chairperson 617-244-7310, or Mark Ostrowsky, at the Metro Regional, DMR Office @ 781-314-7504.

10/09/2003

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