In 2024, A Look Back at 2017 in Public Administration Theory

 In 2024, A Look Back at 2017 in Public Administration Theory

Julie Ann Racino, Community and Policy Studies

April 8, 2024

     In 2016, after the American Society for Public Administration Conference in Seattle, Washington, Julie Ann Racino suggested an ASPA Panel for Atlanta, Georgia in 2017 to Public Administration and Disability Interim Committee Members and ASPA Board Members, Stephen Rolandi and Andrea J. Huston. Allan J. Bergman had graciously agreed to Co-Chair the Committee. 

    The following is part of the original proposal (with a panel accepted for the 2017 Annual Conference) titled Expanding Theories in Disability and Community: From Community Integration and Clinical Adjustment to Community Inclusion, Equity and Sustainability in the Age of Terrorism.

The panelists will present on specialty areas from community integration theories (e.g., gender-based, multicultural, health-based), to mental health and criminal justice theories, the military and war in societies, and the inclusion in the age of terrorism. These theories minimally include:

• Normalization-based theories (and evidence-based practices)
• Social role valorization theories (e.g., competency-based, life quality)
• Gender-based theories (e.g., LGBTQ)
• Health-based theories (e.g., human ecology, environmental health)
• Diversity and multicultural theories (e.g., religion, ethnicity)
• Disability-based integration theories (and mental health)
• Income integration theories (now social and income disparities)
• Family support (family theories) and independent living theories
• Community support as integration theory (e.g., post deployment)
• Community integration theories, personal and universal

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN ENABLE, 2006) are largely based upon the above frameworks prevalent as leadership through the 2000s from the 1970s reform periods. Over 196 Nations have ratified the treaty, and the US has signed and is still awaiting ratification by US Congress. 

In the age of terrorism, the prevalent theories are shifting to the criminal justice and involuntary gates (greater role of homeland security, nursing facilities, home evictions), and involve increasing disputes on societal inclusion regarding critical concepts such as inclusion, equity and sustainability (transportation), community care and long term services and supports (LTSS), public health (HIV-AIDS), social and economic justice, controversies in the US (e.g., gun control), and immigration and migration  (e.g., from Bosnia to Turkey and Syria) in 2016 and beyond.

In addition, the US is expected to shift to a minority-majority population base by 2020 to 2030, in part due to immigration and diverse birth rates (e.g., Mayor of Minneapolis, MN, 2015). Similar to the Obama era, greater increase in minority leadership (e.g., black Mayors in US) is expected in health and human services planning. Criminal justice has published on the concept of community integration as guiding its fields and work, in addition to reintegration programs from hospitals and medical centers in fields such as brain injury.

Traditional theories in ascendancy, in addition to the framework on poverty and social inclusion and social exclusion from the European Union, now post-Brexit, include:

• Race-based, social justice and minority empowerment theories (e.g., Black Lives Matter, equity in planning and development)
• Clinical, adjustment and disease-based theories (e.g., mental health, substance abuse and addictions, non-profits in clinical roles)
• Social work and nursing disciplinary theories (versus public administration theories and public health theories)
• Theories of differentness (natural variation) and dissent theories (protests)
• Theories of control and decisionmaking (e.g., the choice of homelessness)
• Theories of subversion and covert actions (in context of increased surveillaince)
• Theories of punishment versus rehabilitation (including concepts of restitution versus retribution)
• Theories of inclusion in societies (at immigration and migration, reintegration and employment and military, post war injuries).

Theories of public administration and disability (all of the above, including all social empowerment and social inclusion/exclusion, to family and social policies, smart growth, go green and sustainability, charities and fundraising, community theories, and their implications) will form the heart of the presentations.

The panel will open questions to the audience, and present from the context of academic theories, and their peer-reviewed journal contexts. The panelists include both national researchers and non-profit, government, university and field practitioners. References and handouts will be available to the participants in the session, in addition to the panel and slide presentations. Paper is planned for submission to Public Administration Review in 2017 which needs a theory review of public administration and disability.

Inquiries regarding the proposal to Julie Ann Racino ( 9/23/2016 6:19 am!)

The revised panel was held on Sunday, March 19, 2017 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am in the Augusta Room (Track Public Administration Theory).

Title: Expanding Theories in Disability and Community: From Community Integration to Community Inclusion, Equity and Sustainability

Endorsed by Section on Public Administration Research

Moderator: Allan Bergman

Presenters: Andrea Huston, Julie Ann Racino, and Stephen Rolandi

As reported earlier on the blogspot, US Biden-Harris Administration has announced public policies as Inclusion, Equity and Diversity. In addition, Bidenś first Executive Order was on Climate Change, relative of the sustainability period in US (See, in particular, the Sustainable Development Goals-SDGs of the United Nations). 

Holiday Greetings from Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States

                  Jill Biden

              

Dear Julie Ann,

     As we gather with loved ones to celebrate the past year and look ahead to 2024, I have been reflecting on how this all started --- remembering all the people who came up to me in grocery stores and cafes and airports, saying Tell Joe he has to run.

     From the very beginning, Joe and Kamalaś campaign has been about you, about your hopes for our country and about our belief in our ability to move forward together and build a better future for all Americans.

     When our country comes together, we are stronger than ever. What we share is so much greater than the things that pull us apart. I have seen this throughout my travels.

     We may celebrate different holidays, we may sing different songs or say different prayers, but our shared American values endure season to season. May the magic, wonder, and joy of the holiday season inspire you as we head into the new year. 

     On behalf of Joe and all our family, I want to wish you the happiest holiday season. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,  Jill Biden

The Barack Obama Foundation in Chicago, Illinois

 Letter from Chief Executive Valerie Jarrett 

The Barack Obama Foundation

Chicago, Illinois

December 2023

Dear Friend:

     Fifteen years ago, on November 4, 2008, the American people said, Ÿes we can!" and elected my friend Barack Obama, as the 44th President of the United States.

     Many of you were among the tens of thousands of us who were gathered in Chicagoś Grant Park, and millions more watched around the world. You will remember his words that night. 

    Ïf there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible...who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time...who still questions the power of our democracy..tonight is your answer. 

     I was so excited to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of President Obamaś first election as president. In that spirit of celebration, I am writing to ask that you join us in keeping hope alive and continuing the legacy of the Obama presidency. You can do that by becoming a supporter of the Obama Foundation and the Obama Presidential Center with a contribution of $35, $50, $100, or more if you possible can today.

     It was back in 1991 when I first met Michelle Robinson. she was just 26 years old. I interviewed her for a job in the Chicago Mayorś office. By the end of the interview, I was so impressed with Michelleś competence, character, integrity and moral compass that I offerred her the job on the spot. 

    Wisely, Michelle said she needed to think about it. A few days later, I called her. Michelle told me she had talked it over with her fiance, and he had some serious reservations. 

     Ẅho on earth is your fiance?"I blurted out. Änd why do we care what he thinks?

     With a laugh, she said, Ḧis name is Barack Obama, and weŕe a team and make all big life decisions together.¨

    In the end, Michelle took the job, and a lifelong friendship began. 

     Since then, I have had the immense privilege of joining the Obamas on their remarkable journey, with Michelle rising quickly in city government, directing Public Allies and training emerging leaders to create meaningful change in our communit, and serving in leadership positions with the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center. 

     I witnessed President Obama lead voter registration campaigns and work as a civil rights attorney, then win the election to the state Senate in 1996, delivering his remarkable speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, and win election to the U.S. Senate later that year. And throughout the historic campaign for president, from winning the Iowa caucuses to becoming the first African American major party nominee for president; he won with the promise to bring our country together. 

     Iḿ so fortunate to have continued that journey to this day--first, by serving in the White House during all eight years of his presidency, and now, by serving as chief executive officer of the Obama Foundation. Iḿ proud to lead our work to help people turn hope into action-to inspire, empower, and connect them to change the world.

     At this pivotal moment in history, our mission is more urgent than ever. 

     The Obama Foundation is a non-partisan charity that supports and connects emerging leaders here in the U.S. and around the globe, helps ensure young girls have equal opportunities to puruse their dreams through education, and supports those who are building safe and supportive communities where young men of color have clear pathways to opportunity. 

     Weŕe building the world class Obama Presidential Center on nearly 20 acres of land in the historic Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago. Our center will bring more opportunity, investment, and public spaces to our community that, in turn, nurture future generations of leaders in our own backyard.

     The next generation fuels our hope for the future. Their imagination, resilience, open-mindedness, and deep commitment to protecting the planet and challenging long-standing injustice will preserve and strengthen democracy-and I believe, be President Obamaś ultimate legacy.

     Thatś why I deeply hope-as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Barack Obamaś  election as President-that you wil consider joining us in support of his great mission and become a supporter of the Obama Presidential Center by making a contribution of $35, $50, $100, or even $250 or more for the Obama Foundation.

     Letś keep doing our part-together-to build hope and to be the change we seek. Thank you. 

Sincerely,

Valerie Jarrett

Chief Executive Officer

P.S. President Obamaś words 15 years ago resonate more than ever today. Thanks to what his administration was able to achieve together during his presidency, I know without a doubt that merica is still a place where the dream of our founders is still alive, and democracy remains strong. The Obama Presidential Center is our way of showing young people everywhere that they can do what President and Mrs. Obama did. I hope you wiĺl join  us in helping make that vision a reality. 

Afterwords

Julie Ann Racino, Member of the Democratic National Committee since 2009-2023, was honored to attend the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rally the night before the historic election of US Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (Arkansas to Washington, DC to New York State) against Republican Donald Trump of New York City. President Obama who selected Hillary Clinton as US Secretary of State was in attendance, and Hillary Clinton voted in New York the next morning with former President William Clinton. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obamaś official White House portraits were unveiled during the Biden Administration.

The US Presidents all have the honor of a Presidential Museum and Library (See, earlier blogspot, President Carter in Atlanta, Georgia) with President Obamaś also featuring conference meeting hall. We are expecting similar developments with President Donald Trump (now in Florida at classified document lawsuits at option of New York City location) and President  Joseph Biden (who already has a Biden Institute at the University of Delaware). The Clintons are in Little Rock, Arkansas, the Kennedys of Massachusetts, and the Bushes (George W. Bush and George H. W Bush) in Texas, and recently the Reagans in Simi Valley, California. The libraries contain official documents from the administrations.

For more information on the Barack Obama Foundation see OBAMA.org or write to 5235 S. Harper Court, Suite 1140, Chicago, Illinois 60615. 

During the holiday season 2023-2024, also make time to read the books of President and First Lady Obama, those of the Clintons, Cuomos, Kennedys (Caroline and Kerry Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy) and Bidens, and that of Valerie Jarrett (and now Kamala Harris) together with wide ranging selections from the political classes of both parties. This authorś (Julie Ann Racino who also lived in Chicago, Illinois) selected works are also available on the same sites (www.bn.com, this year Barnes and Noble) as are, for example, todayś read of the original manuscript of Charles Dickenś A Christmas Carol. 

     

   

 

Happy Thanksgiving Day 2023

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY 2023

Julie Ann Racino

Community and Policy Studies

November 23, 2023

Wishing you and yours thankfulness for the gifts God has given us, 

and in the early spirit of the Christmas season-

peace on earth and goodwill toward men!

     As we celebrate the thankfulness of new life in America, we believe that fairness, equality and individuality is achievable, and that we continue to move forward to the 21st Century and the global challenges we face. 

    In America today, we particularly wish for peace in the Middle East which has claimed the lives of Americans through the Iraq War and thank the Carters for their work with Israel and Egypt to bring peace and stability to the region! May First Lady Rosalynn Carter rest in peace-Amen.

    We pray today for our parents who have departed the earth before us, our family and friends (facing lung, breast and prostate cancer, and heart disease and diabetes), those who have passed during shootings, suicides and drug use, and for the brave soldiers and hostages today.

    We ask that God strengthen our leaders in the US, our US states, and in the worldś Nations, and bring forth the best in us-whether inclusion, equity, social justice or love for family and the most vulnerable in societies. 

    As a 3rd gen Polish American, which similar to the US and neighboring Nations in Eastern Europe (now Eurasia), we welcomed refugees fleeing from Ukraine, hopefully until the country can rebuild to the new 21st Century. In America and around the world, people worldwide abhor the violence perpetrated on that Nation by Russian Federation post times of trust rebuilding.

     Happy Thanksgiving to- as we dedicated the book, Public Administration and Disability: Community Services Administration in the US (Racino, 2014, http://www.crcpress.com) to support  (direct service) workers who strive to support people within our health and human service systems. Special remembrance to William Remby and Sally Johnston who passed this year!

      And as always, special remembrance to my brother Terrance A. Racino who joined the angels and archangels of heaven in June 2020. And for Robin Racino Schererś coming out as LGBT sister at his passing both who joined our parents Augustine V. and Josephine H. (Bien) Racino in the afterlife.  

      We pray for all our family and friends who have passed before us, including Mary and Sam DeCristo (WWII Veterans) whose children (Robert, Carl, Joanne) will share their meal with me today! And this year, Uncle Joe Bien (predeceased by Aunt Barbara Miazga) who passed at age 93 in March 2023 with special cousins Bill and John Civiok (with Joanne & Rosemary) and friend Michael Miller, as they approach their 80s. And for friend Mary Craft McMillan after the loss of her lifetime partner James McMillan. 

      We remember all of our family and friends, especially Terry Racinoś children Todd, Derek, and Bryan Racino, and Christopher Racino, Leah Racino Hodges and John Garofalo-and the families they built together! Lest we forget, Susan and Bill Newman, Eve Adiletta-Racino, Joanne, Chrissy, Lisa, Eryne, Kelcie, and Heather Racino with Matt Hodges and Marguerita Garofalo.

      And as the first hostages are released in the new Israeli-Hamas War, we pray for their safety and that of all in the now war-torn region, and thank the Biden Administration for working on the release and ceasefire for the humanitarian corridor in Palestine. May the world see peace in its world regions in 2024!

      Thank you as always to Alan Spindler of Allstate in Rome, New York, and to Jamie Harrison and the Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC. And to the City of Rome for cleaning up the fire a few doors down in time for the holilday season. And for Fr. Paul Angelicchio and Deacon Mike Guidaitis who persevered with their staff and families, especially Jeanne Guidaitis, during the difficult Covid-19 era. Happy Thanksgiving Weekend 2023!

   

     

Biden Victory Fund Campaign, Authorized by Biden for President, The Democratic National Committee, and The State Democratic Parties in These States

                             Biden Victory Fund, Authorized by Biden for President, 

The Democratic National Committee, and The State Democratic Parties in These States

Defend Our Democracy 2023

      

       US President Joe Biden loves to begin with a personal story. The President's  letter says, "My dad used to have an expression. He said, "Joey, a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It's about your dignity. It's about your sense of yourself. It's about being able to look your family in the eye and say, "It's going to be okay." 

      When my administration took office, we were in the middle of a global pandemic, a violent insurrection that threatened the integrity of our free and fair elections, along with high unemployment and economic uncertainty. The world was facing an unprecedented upheaval and Americans didn't have the confidence in our country to tell their families that everything would be okay. It's been the work of my administration to fix the most pressing issues of our time and to renew Americans' faith in this country and in our future.

     Well, that's starting to happen again for the American people. In my first term, we've been restoring a sense of dignity and hope to people and families who were left behind by my predecessor. Thanks to friends like you, we've created 13 million jobs since I took office. That's more jobs than any president has created  in an entire four year term. We passed historic infrastructure legislation, restored America's image on the global stage, and took the most significant actionon climate change ever. 

      I'm proud of what we've accomplished. But we've got a lot more work to do to finish the job--to keep growing our economy, to restore rights where they've been stripped away, and to protect our democracy. So every American can say, "It's going to be okay." ....This fight is personal to me, and I know it is to you too. I look at our country through the eyes of Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymount, Delaware, where I grew up. Through the eyes of working people I grew up with. Through the eyes of my dad. Through the eyes of people like you who remain committed to protecting our democracy and defending our freedoms.

      MAGA extremists are cut from a different cloth. Republicans have done everything in their power to eliminate basic freedoms. When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, not only did Republican-appointed justices basically say there is no constitutional protection for the right to choose, but constitutional protections for contraception and constitutional protectiosn for LGBTQ+ people called into question. 

     You see what Republican-controlled states have done since, pushing legislation imposing on those rights. They're also coming after your access to the ballot box, the right of educators to teach American history, the books kids can read in school, and more....And so, even though many things are beginning to change because of the progress you, I and fellow Democrats have made, the American people need to know we're going to finish what we set out to do. That's where your contribution comes in. 

     ....We can keep the economy growing so that everyone has a chance to benefit from it. We can pass legislation reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade. We can build on the historic actions we've taken to address climate change and protect the environment. We can expand access to early childhood education as well as free community college for people who do not have the income to get there. 

      There is so much we can do to restore the soul of this country, to unite America, and to rebuild the economy from the middle out and the bottom up so everybody does well. Americans are good people. We have always been good people. And together, nothing is beyond our reach. 

      Please stand with Kamala and me again, with our Party and with Democrats up and down the ballot by supporting the Biden Victory Fund with your strongest contribution today. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your help. Thank you for everything you've done for me and this country. I look forward to hearing from you again. 

Sincerely,

Joe Biden

President of the United States 

As the United States with its President is standing with Ukraine and Israel at a time of declared wars in the world. And we have supported humanitarian aid to Gaza today as we have done during the two-state solution (which Israel claims it plans to keep after Hamas is taken out)! And we began with Inclusion International and of course, strong supporters of NGOs in Russia, African unity, and new relations with China and Arab Nations now post European Union and Brexit. 

State Democratic Parties: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN,KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY.

Election of the US House Speaker: House Democratic Leader, Democratic Congressional Committee, Hakeem Jeffries of New York City

Election of the US House Speaker:

House Democratic Leader, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Hakeem Jeffries of New York City

2023

Dear DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) Supporter:

     I have big shoes to fill.

     Nancy Pelosi will go down in history as the most effective House leader in this country has ever seen.  A legendary legislator, she has time and again passed landmark progressive policy that transformed the American people's lives for the better. From expanding affordable health care to rescuing our economy during the pandemic, her track record of legislative accomplishment is unparalleled.

     When the stakes were highest, Speaker Pelosi always put people over politics. She ignored the pundits and defied the naysayers on issue after issue. Instead, she listened, she persuaded, she united and, most importantly, she delivered for everyday Americans. 

      Were it not for Nancy Pelosi, some 35 million Americans would not have health care today. Were it not for her, more than 46 million Americans might not have received unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Were it not for her, 49 million Medicare recipients would not be finding the cost of their life-saving prescription drugs dropping significantly over the next four years. 

     As President Obama said at the unveiling of her portrait, Speaker Pelosi "helped rescue the economy not once, but twice. She helped make historic investments in the fight against climate change...She helped keep marriage equality the law of the land. And even after insurrectionists literally broke into her office, she never stopped defending democracy here at home and around the world. 

     Speaker Pelosi's impact will endure for generations to come. I've taken the liberty of enclosing a commemorative photo of our former Speaker for you to keep.

     It's my great honor and privilege to stand on her shoulders and carry on the fight that she so skillfully waged. And my first responsibility in that regard---as it was for her---is to support and invigorate the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

     Thanks to Speaker Pelosi's backing of the DCCC, Democrats captured the House in 2018, held the House in 2020, and vastly outperformed expectations last fall, leaving the Republicans with only a razor-thin majority.  And with your support, the DCCC will retake control of the House in 2024.

          That's why I am urging you to rush a generous contribution to the DCCC today. Your gift will be matched 5:1 up to $250,000. So your contribution will go six times as far toward regaining our House Majority to protect our rights, our freedom, and the rule of law.

          And when you send in your support, please also use the enclosed reply to send us your own message of thanks and support for Speaker Pelosi. 

     Your support today is essential. Despite the GOP's poor performance in the 2022 elections, extreme MAGA Republicans are still bringing chaos, crisis, and confusion to the House. 

     Marjorie Taylor Greene and the QAnon Caucus are calling all the shots. They're setting an extremist agenda that includes banning abortions nationwide, slashing Social Security and Medicare, and repealing the gains we 've made over the past two years. 

     Let us never forget:  118 current Republicans of Congress voted to overturn the will of the people on January 6th just hours after insurrectionists stormed the Capitol in an unprecedented attack. 

     House Democrats are committed to stopping their assaults on our democracy and defending our fundamental freedoms. 

     We're the first line of defense against their plan to pass a nationwide abortion ban, against their scheme to hold the U.S. debt ceiling hostage to force cuts in Social Security and Medicare, against their efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and Inflation Reduction Act, and against their sham QAnon-inspired investigations and hearings.

     And come 2024, we will hold these House Republicans accountable by taking back the House For The People. But that work starts today as we build our grassroots infrastructure in key districts across the country, hold Republicans accountable for their extremism, mobilize our voters to action, and begin to implement our plan for victory.

     As Speaker Pelosi always says, "we can't agonize, we must organize." But we can only do this with your continued support. So please join me in picking up the torch and carrying on her lasting impact. 

     The best way to do that is to take advantage of ou 5:1 match up to $250,000 and rush your contribution to the DCCC today. And when you do, please also consider sending along your own word of thanks to Speaker Pelosi for her remarkable service as our leader. 

Sincerely,

Hakeem Jeffries

House Democratic Leader

P.S.  With Speaker Emeritus Pelosi still with us in this fight, House Democrats are going to continue to put people over politics and fight for our values. We will lift up working families, the middle class and those who aspire to be part of it, young people and senior citizens, veterans, the poor, the sick and the afflicted and the least, the lost and the left behind. I hope we can keep counting on your support. 

Paid for by the DCCC, 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington, DC 20003  (202-863-1500)

WWW.DCCC.ORG   Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Contributions or gifts to the DCCC are not tax deductible. 

     

Published 10/18/23 after second round of US House votes in which Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Democratic Leader, won the simple majority of the vote for a second time (212 votes) over the divided US House Republicans. A third round is expected at the US House of Representatives tomorrow. If he won, Hakeem Jeffries would be the first black US House Speaker in its history. 

US Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was visible (C-SPAN, today) seated next to Steny Hoyer (D-MD, who believes that Republican candidate Jim Jordan of Ohio would shut the government down versus offer fiscal leadership) across from Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic Minority Whip Kathleen Clark on Massachusetts. 

For New Yorkers, Republican Elise Stefanik of North Country gave the nominating speech for Jim Jordan for the first round of voting, Steve Scalise of Louisiana nominated as US House Speaker before withdrawing is a prior New Yorker, and New Yorkers are among the Republicans who voted for neither Jeffries or Jordan. Our own representative is Republican Brandon Williams who voted for Jim Jordan yesterday and today at the US House. 

Reflecting on American Society for Public Administration, 2015-2019

Reflecting on the American Society for Public Administration, 2015-2019

Julie Ann Racino, Syracuse University Maxwell Alumni

July 25, 2023 

      As the political campaigns for 2023 and 2024 are underway, Julie Ann Racino will spend a moment reflecting on the American Society for Public Administration, leaders in government service and governance, in the period of post health care reform in the US (See, Public Administration Review, 2013). 

      In 2015, I was delighted to head to Chicago, Illinois to propose a new section at ASPA on Public Administration and Disability with support from Allan I. Bergman, a colleague from the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities and United Cerebral Palsy. Not coincidentally, Dr. Allan Bergman was an early leader in family support in the US and has a stellar government services career via NGO and legislative sectors. now with the Disability Policy Consortium in DC.

      In addition, I was presenting on financing and disability (e.g., Long Term Services and Supports) which included updates from my new book, Public Administration and Disability: Community Services Administration in the US (Racino, 2014).  Similar to back in 1991, Dr. David Braddock with now faculty Dr. Richard Hemp were still publishing the US State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2017, at AAIDD) now from the University of Colorado.

     By 2016, Dr. Allan Bergman and I headed for Seattle, Washington on Employment First: Policy and Financing for Individuals with Disabilities in the 21st Century.  We were partnered with university and college representatives on culture and diversity in the workplace on a panel led by Dr. Sanjay Pandey of George Washington University. Gender diversity, gender equation and female management was a major theme. I, of course, thanked Amy Omang of ASPA for arranging the joint panel.

     Already, I was honored to be featured in the Section on the Environment and Resources Administration (SENRA) on Climate Change (Racino, 2015) in which everyone knows (or should) the critical importance of clean drinking water and clean air (back to the Lyndon B. Johnson Administration), the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA and US standards), and the historic Paris Climate Change meetings which occurred in 2015. Thank you to Dr. Sarmisthma Majumdar, Section Chair.

    2017 was a busy year with ASPA (American Society for Public Administration) with a November presentation on Deinstitutionalization Status and the State of the Science on Public Administration and Disability in Burlington, VT with a panel led by Dr. Robert Bartlett of the University of Vermont. Of course, Julie Ann Racino was enjoying the drive to Vermont, meeting new ASPA members and leaders, and the receptions and meetings (e.g., Howard Dean, keynote).

    Two critical meetings in 2017 were the ASPA Leadership meeting in Arlington, VA  wth Dr. Susan Gooden (new ASPA President) of Virginia Commonwealth University, post the first black Governor Wilder and Public Administration and the Law led by Dovie Dawson in Atlanta, Georgia. Allan I. Bergman and I were honored to be joined by ASPA Board members Andrea  J. Huston and Stephen J. Rolandi Jr. for a panel presentation on Expanding theories in disability and community. As an aside, critical race theory (2023 campaigns) is one of race-based, social justice and minority theories.

    In 2018 Julie Ann Racino returned to Reflections on the community integration in the US and Great Britain (Racino, 2014), enjoyed the reception at the Denver Aquarium, and met with the HHSA Executive Board in Denver, CO which hosted 20 health and human services panels at the annual event. The HHSA Executive meeting also discussed whistleblowers in government and the Me Too movement with HHSA journal location already resolved at the last meeting. 

      In March 2015, while the International Symposium at ASPA featured the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Rights of the Child, in March 2018, the International Assembly endorsed the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nation. I thanked both Dr. Alan Rosenbaum of ASPA for his international leadership, the UN for its work on Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2018, 10th Anniversary), and Dr. Hugo Renderos (See, 2019 article, Racino) for his work on peace and conflict studies. (e.g., Cox & Renderos, 2013) 

       The 2019 Annual ASPA Conference was held in Washington, DC, and I was very excited about the collaboration with the Section on Science and Technology in Government (SSTIG). I was pleased to author the international paper, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to International Treaties on Human Rights and Peace Accord (Racino, 2019) before beginning the period of Covid-19 and the global health care crisis.

      We continue to thank everyone for their commitment to making the world and government services better than before, and  challenge all of us to accept the environmental (See, blogspot, May 2018) and peace challenges of the 21st Century. 

The author also continues to acknowledge her diverse memberships during her lifetime including American Public Health Association, Inclusion International, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and TASH International.