The Guide to Healthy Living (GHL) DVD, produced by Board Resource Center & Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center, shows how people with developmental disabilities made their own choices and became healthier, their way - being self-directed. The DVD shows how members improved their health and encouraged their peers using a strategy called Think Plan Do.

The DVD and companion workbook are the result of a 5-month study group where 21 participants created their own healthy living goal, made plans and took action to increase physical activity, change eating habits, and practice new ways to feel better about themselves. The classes, and the resulting DVD and guide are testimony to the benefits of using encouragement, peer mentoring, and responsive coaching.

The key strategy utilized was Think (what is important to you), Plan (what steps do you need to accomplish), and Do (taking action). This strategy has been tested throughout California by self-advocates, who are members of the Department of Developmental Services, Consumer Advisory Committee. The DVD and companion workbook are available online at www.brcenter.org.

Find More Board Resource Center videos: (6) CAC DVDs online at www.youtube.com search: cac leadership board resource center. As well, Thinking Ahead: My Way, My Choice, My Life at the End - a personal account of end of life planning - can also be found online at www.youtube.com search: cac leadership board resource center.

Board Resource Center (BRC) - Who we are, what we do - Boards of nonprofit organizations, state agencies, and community groups are designed to serve as stewards of community funds and their constituent interests. Responsible stewardship dictates that membership represents the diversity of the community. This diversity includes citizens with diverse abilities.

BRC evolved as an outgrowth of consulting services to California service agencies in 1995, aimed at including people with diverse disabilities on governing decision making boards, and community advocacy groups. We provide customized strategies and assist organizations to recognize that people with diverse abilities are needed in decision making and governance positions in management and the boardroom. BRC provides adaptation consultation, group process facilitation, and governance/board training to ensure community members are connected to local government and engaged in policy development.

The Center's Director, Mark Starford, has extensive experience creating simplified adapted materials, facilitating groups, training and teaching diverse groups of people. The BRC has its roots in a division of The SCILS Group, a nationally recognized non-profit consulting organization established in 1977. The SCILS Group provides facilitation, training and strategic intervention for service agencies, families and adults to ensure person-centered full community inclusion and system change that encourages participation (www.scilsgroup.org).

The Board Resource Center also assists organizations to accommodate the needs of all members to assure effective and inclusive decision making. The Center's strategies focus on leadership basics, accountability standards, financial oversight and accommodations. Our strategies include: assessment, planning and implementation; resource adaptation; and leadership training. To contact BRC, email mark@brcenter.org.