FLAGs Project DescriptionFLAGs (Florida's Local Action Groups) for Service is a model process to be replicated across the state of Florida. Its purpose is to increase the number of people with disabilities in community service programs through the use of a group mentoring strategy.
The goal of increasing participation of people with disabilities has been an aim of national and community service programs for several years. FLAGs for Service received funding from the National Service Inclusion Project at UMass/Boston and the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD). The specific strategy was to bring a local group together to guide people that are interested in becoming service members or volunteers. During the FLAGs process the group identified potential candidates, assisted them in removing obstacles to participation assured their enrollments matched their interests. Local participants in the FLAGs project included: individuals with disabilities and their family members; AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs; People First and Southern Movement for Self-Determination chapters; Family Care Councils; Gulfstream Goodwill BPAO (Benefits Planning and Assessment Outreach) councelors; Florida Association of Support Coordinators; and, Sunrise Community (a multipurpose disability provider), and other disability service providers.
Members at the first FLAGs for Service Meeting - September 17, 2004 The target area for this project consisted of Broward, Collier, Martin, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties. This five county area has urban, suburban and rural sectors, as well as a diverse cultural mix of people. The primary target group for this project was adults with severe developmental disabilities (DDs), particularly older individuals.
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