Press Releases: 2003 Releases

Policy Specialists Give Public Policy Collaboration Added Capitol Hill Clout

The Arc and UCP Complete PPC Staff

Washington, DC, February 24, 2003—The Public Policy Collaboration (PPC), a collaborative effort of The Arc of the United States and UCP to impact national public policy for people with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and related disabilities and their families, announced today the hiring of Michael Yudin and Janna Starr as senior policy specialists. The hiring of Mr. Yudin and Ms. Starr completes the five-person policy staff of the PPC, which began in January 2003. Both new hires will be stationed at UCP’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Michael Yudin has been named the new Director of Employment and Transportation Policy. Mr. Yudin will specialize in the areas of employment and transportation, as well as issues relating to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF), Social Services, and the Workforce Investment Act.

Since January 2001, Mr. Yudin served on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) as Committee Counsel for Senator James M. Jeffords (I-VT).

For several years, he worked as an attorney for the Social Security Administration in the Office of General Counsel. While there, Yudin provided legal advice on disability and welfare reform initiatives. He worked as an Attorney Advisor in the Department of Labor from 1991-1994. Mr. Yudin received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York Albany in English. He also graduated from the Western New England College School of Law.

According to PPC Staff Director, Paul Marchand, Yudin was “one of the ‘go-to’ staffers in the HELP committee for the disability community. Michael is well respected by members of Congress and staffers on both sides of the aisle. The combination of his Hill work and as well as his Social Security/Department of Labor background will be greatly beneficial to us as he assumes the employment portfolio responsibilities.”

The PPC also announced the hiring of Janna Starr, named Director of Disability Rights and Technology Policy. As part of her policy portfolio, Ms. Starr will specialize in the areas of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 503, 504, and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Assistive Technology Act, and telecommunications issues. For the past two years, Ms. Starr has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Previously, she was Director of Public Policy for the Brain Injury Association; a Senior Policy Associate at United Cerebral Palsy; and Executive Director of The Arc of Oregon.

Ms. Starr has also authored a number of articles and papers on various disability-related topics. She was awarded both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree from Baylor University.

“She has experience both with The Arc at the state and local levels and previous experience at the national level with both UCP and the Brain Injury Association,” said Marchand. “This unique background allows a great understanding of issues at the grassroots level as well as a thorough knowledge of the relationship of federal, state, and local disabilities programs.”

Mr. Yudin will begin his duties on Monday February 24, 2003. Ms. Starr will begin first as a part-time employee in mid March, with full-time duties beginning around May 1.

Ms. Starr and Mr. Yudin will participate in the 2003 Governmental Affairs Seminar on March 9-11 in Washington, D.C. The Seminar is co-sponsored by The Arc, UCP, the American Association on Mental Retardation (AAMR), and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).

About The Arc
The Arc of the United States works to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities in every community. You can visit The Arc online at www.thearc.org.

About UCP
UCP and its nationwide network of local affiliates strive to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in every facet of society—from the Web to the workplace, from the classroom to the community. The mission of UCP is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, through its commitment to the principles of independence, inclusion and self-determination. Visit UCP online at www.ucp.org.

Send This Article To A Friend