Starting a CNLD Chapter
Saturday, June 2, 2018
3:00 - 3:45 pm 

Ralph Yaniz (CNLD Leadership) and Joanna Cordry (Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities) will discuss plans to start the very first CNLD local chapter in Texas.  Ralph will discuss logistics on how to work with the National Coalition in order to officially start a local chapter.  Joanna will discuss potential grant opportunities for this local chapter. 

Joanna Cordry
As Planning Coordinator for the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD), Joanna facilitates the development of TCDD’s State Plan, guides the development of projects, oversees completion of the Annual Program Performance Report, and provides other technical assistance as needed. She is the lead staff to provide support to the Council’s Project Development Committee and materials to inform decisions made by the Executive Committee and Council. She is currently on the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) Board and was selected to attend the 2017 Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence Leadership Academy for Cultural Diversity and Cultural and Linguistic Competence on behalf of NACDD.  Joanna is particularly interested in grassroots efforts to build inclusive communities; initiatives to reduce disproportionality and disparity experienced by members of certain racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups; and challenges frequently faced by individuals with Developmental Disabilities who have complex behavioral challenges.

Prior to her employment at TCDD, Joanna worked as a direct support provider and as a staff psychologist/behavior analyst specializing in providing support to individuals who had intellectual disabilities, mental health diagnoses and/or complex behavioral support needs. She also apprenticed as a service dog trainer. In addition to professional experience working with people who have complex support needs, Joanna has personal experience with serious mental illness and physical disabilities.

Mr. Ralph Yaniz served as the Executive Director of the Foundation for the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology during 2016.  Prior to that he had been a Regional Vice President for AARP for a decade and their State Director in Illinois for four years prior to the regional roles.  In his capacity as the Illinois State Director, Mr. Yaniz most notably led AARP Illinois in major legislative victories such as the Older Adult Services Act, SB 2880 in 2004 sponsored by state Senator Iris Martinez. The Older Adult Services Act is a three-pronged approach to overhauling the state's comprehensive long-term care system. In 2006, AARP Illinois, led by Mr. Yaniz, continued to fight for funding in the state's FY'07 budget, which passed in May 2006, and earmarked $65 million to begin the overhaul of Illinois' long term care system. He also directed AARP Illinois' advocacy campaign for passage of the Medicare Modernization Act and in 2005-2006 Medicare Part D enrollment that included extensive outreach to the African-American and Latino/Hispanic community.  Before coming to AARP, Mr. Yaniz was Executive Director of the Berwyn Cicero Council on Aging (BCCOA), whose mission it is to assist adults over 60 in maintaining their independent living with the highest quality of life possible. BCCOA is a multi-purpose senior service organization providing programs through federal, state and local funding.  He holds B.S. and M.A. degrees in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois. He also holds an MBA degree from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Yaniz served on the board of Advocates for Mental Illness Education and the Berwyn Cicero Council on Aging. He is currently beginning a term on the National Community Advisory Committee for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and will also be volunteering with various organizations, including All Wheels Up, Inc., working for wheelchair access to airplanes.

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