Rural Adhoc Committee

Empowering rural communities to create individualized solutions to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

The Rural Ad Hoc (RAC) was formed in October of 2008 at the direction of the Executive Committee of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education (GCDSE).  Prior to October of 2008, stakeholders from rural Alaska responded in large numbers to past public testimonies and surveys put out by the GCDSE expressing concerns with the lack of services for rural Alaskans who experience a disability.

The RAC works on priority issues and activities related to the operation of Alaska's statewide Special Education program, activities related to the effective operations of Alaska's family-centered statewide Early Intervention/Infant Learning Program, advises and assists the GCDSE on state-wide issues related to developmental disabilities, and assists the Council in achieving the full participation, coordination and cooperation of all appropriate public agencies related to developmental disabilities in this state.  To effectively do this, the GCDSE staff and committee members may be involved in workgroups that are conducting:

  • research
  • planning
  • monitoring
  • contributing ideas on web sites
  • providing input on publications
  • advocacy activities

Of importance is that the GCDSE is the governing board for the Special Education Service Agency (SESA).  SESA provides assistance to Alaskan school districts and early intervention programs serving students with low incidence disabilities.  SESA is publicly funded by the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.  For additional details, please visit their website at www.sesa.org. 

The GCDSE advocates for change that improves the lives of Alaskans with disabilities.  As a beneficiary board to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (Trust), the GCDSE will make recommendations to the Trust on how the state should spend its funds for Alaskans with disabilities.  For additional information on the Trust, please go to their website at http://www.mhtrust.org. 

For further information on the RAC, please contact the following GCDSE staff:

 

Can you get involved?  Yes! Call us at (888) 269-8991 or email Duane Mayes