Protection and Advocacy recognized the achievements and contributions of people in
the disability community in receptions held in Taos on July 18 and in Clovis on July 25. The receptions followed community meetings in each town to discuss local disability concerns and to give input to P&A in the development of its annual service priorities.

The community meetings were part of P&A's on-going efforts to get consumer input. P&A currently has a three-year plan of Goals and Priorities that was adopted last year. The annual process of reviewing and revising the plan, and establishing specific activities for the program year that begins October 1, 2001, has been underway since April. Over 4,000 surveys have been distributed this year, in addition to a posting on the P&A web page. P&A's Board of Directors and its Mental Health Advisory Committee have also been involved.

On August 10, a staff retreat was held to review public input to date, and to develop a draft plan for FY 2002. The draft was sent to interested parties prior to two public hearings: one in Las Cruces on August 22 and the other in Albuquerque on August 29, 2001. Information from these meetings will be reviewed by the P&A staff and Board. On September 21, 2001