From: jay.thal (jay.thal@TCS.WAP.ORG)
Date: Wed Jun 28 2000 - 12:07:31 CDT
Ken,
The Devereux Foundation's 88 year tradition of serving persons with
developmental and emotional disAbilities is well known. And, I wish you
well in securing the uniforms and equipment to make your Troop a fully
operational unit.
My opinion (and this will put me in conflict with some others) is that
while uniforming is useful in establishing group identity, minimalism
can be appropriate. Some say a neckerchef would suffice (and for
outdoor activities it might). I would focus on, and recommend, a shirt
(and later a Merit Badge sash) so that each youth (or Scout over 18) can
take pride in and display their rank attainments, participation, and
responsibilities.
I would urge you (and, potentially, Devereux's 20 sites in seven states)
to reach out to and through the(ir) local Council(s) for guidance and
support on advancement, program, and training issues. As I understand
it Devereux (at other locations) is not just involved in residential
services - so Scouting can be, also, an option for its "outpatient"
clients.
You wrote:
> We are a public organization, and as such have little or NO funding for our
> scout program. ...they are all (97%) without families or homes.
Familial and organizational involvement, or the occasional endowment
support units. Other than that your unit is like all others regarding
funding. That is not meant to sound callous. But you need to look
towards other resources.
Examples: To the extent that these disAbled persons are or may be
either wards of a State or receive funding from the State's divisions of
Education; or Mental Retardation and Developmental DisAbilities (or
Mental Health) Administrations; etc. - there are often additional
targeted public funds available for "enrichment purposes". This applies
whether the disAbled person is in a residential facility or not.
Whether or not you have family members to support you, and beyond
reliance on your Devereux associates, you will probably need mentoring
and peer support. Let me suggest that you consider reaching out to any
local Colleges and check whether they have chapters of Alpha Phi Omega
or Best Buddies.
Depending on the disAbled individual's ability/involvement level some
might find acceptance within nearby mainstream units - a preferred path.
YiWWSWd,
Jay Thal
http://www.boyscouts-marin.org/wwswd/wwswd.htm
