The Commonwealth Council for Developmental Disabilities (CCDD) is excited to announce a special opportunity for middle and high school students with developmental disabilities.  We are offering scholarships for 15-20 Kentucky students to participate in a special experiential education and leadership development opportunity.

Close Up is a non-profit, non-partisan, civic education organization with a mission to “inform, inspire and empower youth to be actively engaged citizens in our democracy.”  Close Up provides week-long educational opportunities for students to visit and learn in Washington, DC.  For more information about Close Up, visit http://www.closeup.org/.

Close Up and CCDD are working together to provide this unique educational opportunity to Kentucky students with developmental disabilities.

During this educational, full immersion program, students will participate in:

  • Small group workshops led by trained program instructors
  • Seminars with DC journalists
  • Question & Answer sessions with lobbyists
  • Meetings with members of Congress and their staff
  • The program itinerary is available online at http://www.closeup.org/lib/hs-washington-dc-schedule.pdf

The CCDD will cover all lodging and travel expenses for participants. This will include meals, materials, all entrance fees, and 24 hour supervision (including night monitors).  Scholarships will also cover costs for personal care attendant services, for those students who need such services.

They will be providing two informational videoconferences to share information about program logistics.  Please join them on:

  • Monday, April 4, at 3:30pm EST or
  • Tuesday, April 12 at 6pm EST.

To join the presentation, log-in to  http://chfs.adobeconnect.com/publicpolicy/ (to view the PowerPoint presentation), and call in to 1-866-889-3903, Passcode: 186576# (to hear the presentation and discussion). Please visit www.CloseUp.org to learn more about Close Up.

CCDD Letter to Parents
Close Up brochure & an application
Email or mail your completed application by April 22, 2016. Applicants will be notified by May 6, 2016 whether they were selected.