Disability Action Center NW, Inc.

What's Up, DAC?
By Mark Leeper, DAC Director
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Well, it is that time of year again! Yes, it is fall and there is the smell of footballs in the air, but most importantly for DAC and other federal grant recipients, is that it is the end of the old federal fiscal year and the beginning of the new one. And, as so often seems to be the case these years, the federal government is operating on a continuing resolution, which basically means we are all in a bit of limbo if we are expecting any new money. Luckily, the primary DAC grant, which comes to us courtesy of the US Department of Education, is based on last year’s appropriation, so we know what we are getting, and it starts seamlessly. The funds that come through the state to help us operate the Coeur d’Alene satellite are unfortunately dependent on the new budget year, so we are waiting to see what may come to be in terms of the total amount of funds available. There has been a clear commitment by the “powers that be”—both in and out of DAC—to keep services happening in the panhandle, so rest assured that we will be continuing with business as usual unless we are told something to the contrary!

Mark Leeper has been the
director of DAC since 1990.

With the new fiscal year comes a new program year. The DAC Board of Directors recently spent a day reviewing DAC’s short- and long-term goals. We generally feel comfortable about the direction in which DAC is heading. It’s clear that DAC has been very successful in its effort to provide quality self-directed in-home services. As a result, a number of people are now able to fully control their own services, and DAC has been able to support other activities with funds earned through the attendant program.

We do want to increase the level of involvement of people with disabilities in DAC’s services and activities. We want to know what is important to people with disabilities in all of the communities in northern Idaho, and we want to do a better job of helping people connect with each other to share strengths and talents to make life better for all of us in rural communities. Look for an update on some new efforts in these areas in the coming months.

DAC staff will be doing some planning as well. We want to become more organized and systematic in our community services such as systems advocacy and education. Unfortunately, there are just too many issues that we can get involved in with minimal impact because we get spread so thin. Clearer focus on some key issues will result in some better outcomes.

To better identify those key issues, we need to hear from you about your needs and wants. Please let us know of your top priorities, and the most significant barriers you face to independence and equal access in the community. Your feedback will give us assurance that we are responding to the actual needs of people in the region, and not just to our perception of what is important.

Finally, for those who have received assistance from DAC—including information and referral or other services—we want to know whether you were satisfied with your experience. Please contact me or any other staff and share your thoughts.

Oh, and Happy Autumn! <>