Director's Letter 2

June 3, 1986

FROM: Colleen Wieck
SUBJECT: Newly Established Network for People with Senses of Humor

By unofficial appointment, you have been selected to receive occasional mailings of material that best fit the needs of people who have a sense of humor. Your contributions are welcome for sharing with this group of people as well as names of others who should receive mailings. Please keep in mind the traditional criteria for selection of new network members such as U.S. Census regions, urban / rural balance, male / female, age, and other characteristics that validly predict humor. I will gladly be responsible for coordinating the mailings until national office staff can be hired.

I am sure you are all wondering about the nest steps of this informal organization.

1. Will there be a national conference?
   Volunteers are welcome to form a national steering committee. We could request an adjunct meeting as part of another national convention.

2. Will there be federal grants?
   A parody of the Federal Register OHDS grant announcements would be an excellent project for a volunteer. Humor is not a federal priority at this time.

3. Will CARF and ACMRDD accreditation be possible?
   No, since neither focus on measurable outcomes such as laughter (intensity, frequency, and duration), satisfaction, or progress (independence, productivity, and integration).

4. Is this a Medicaid eligible activity?
   According to federal regulations, this would be considered a nonvocational activity; however, individual eligibility would still need to be determined.

5. Will there be annual national surveys?
   Because this is an emerging concept, there are only a few islands of excellence and model practices. As the concept continues to move from "state of the art" to "state of the state," there will be a need to develop a national data bank to monitor progress.

6. Are there position statements from the national organizations in favor of this concept?
   Not at this time, but the issue may be referred to critical issues committees soon for study.

7. Will there be a monograph?
   A prospectus will be prepared for Paul Brookes. Volunteer editors and authors are needed. Find some graduate students to do the work.

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