Frequently Asked Questions

What is NextGen Advocacy Arkansas?

NextGen Advocacy Arkansas (NGAA) is a self-advocate-led nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to become effective leaders and changemakers. We exist to challenge broken systems, amplify marginalized voices, and transform Arkansas into a national model for disability advocacy rooted in self-determination and civil rights.

We’re not a service provider. We’re a movement.

How is NGAA different from service providers?

Service providers deliver Medicaid-funded supports and answer to state contracts, regulatory compliance, and billing structures. They treat people as clients or consumers within existing systems.

NGAA is completely independent from state contracts and service delivery. We treat people as members, leaders, and changemakers. We exist to challenge and reshape systems from the perspective of the people who live within them every day. Our accountability is to our members and the disability community, not to state agencies or managed care organizations.

Who can join NGAA?

Membership is open to any individual with a disability who shares our commitment to self-advocacy and systemic change. You don’t need a college degree. You don’t need prior advocacy experience. You just need passion, curiosity, and a commitment to self-determination.

We actively recruit across disability types, age groups, geographic regions, and cultural backgrounds to ensure diverse representation and inclusive leadership.

Is NGAA only for people in Little Rock?

No. While NGAA is based in Little Rock, we serve self-advocates across the entire state of Arkansas. Our goal is to build a statewide movement that transforms disability advocacy from the ground up.

Does membership cost anything?

Not right now. As we grow and develop sustainable funding, we’ll evaluate whether membership dues make sense for our model. But our priority is accessibility, so any future membership structure will be designed with affordability and flexibility in mind.

Programs

What programs does NGAA offer?

We’re currently launching two flagship programs:

NextGen Pathways: Our admissions and placement program. Pathways meets with every applicant, discusses their goals, and connects them with the NGAA program that fits their strengths and aspirations.

NextGen Elevate: Our leadership activation program for self-advocates who have the skills and experience to lead at the administrative and executive level but lack traditional academic credentials. Elevate bypasses credentialism and places self-advocates directly into leadership roles based on their actual capabilities.

Additional programs are in development and will launch as we grow.

How do I apply to join a program?

Start with Pathways. Submit your application through our website in the format that works best for you: written, video, or audio. A member of the Pathways team will reach out to schedule a conversation about your goals and interests, and we’ll help you find the right fit within NGAA.

What if I don’t know which program is right for me?

That’s exactly what Pathways is for. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you apply. Pathways will walk you through your options and help you identify where you belong.

Can I participate in more than one program?

Absolutely. As you grow with NGAA, you may find that your interests and goals shift. Pathways remains a resource throughout your membership to help you navigate transitions and explore new opportunities.

Leadership and Opportunities

What is NextGen Elevate?

Elevate is NGAA’s leadership activation program. It allows self-advocates to step directly into administrative and executive roles within the organization based on their skills, experience, and drive rather than traditional academic credentials.

Instead of hiring or recruiting, we activate leaders. You demonstrate your capabilities through a skills assessment process, and if your strengths align with an open role, you’re activated into that position immediately.

What does “activation” mean?

Activation means recognizing that leadership capacity already exists within our community and creating structures that allow those leaders to step into their power.

Traditional hiring assumes the organization holds all the power and candidates need to prove their worth. Activation assumes that self-advocates bring expertise that can’t be taught in a classroom, and we structure our process to honor that expertise.

We don’t hire. We don’t recruit. We activate.

Are Elevate positions paid?

Right now, most Elevate positions are nonpaid volunteer roles. However, they’re designed for self-advocates who function at the executive level and are ready to build infrastructure that will eventually support their own compensation.

As NGAA grows and secures sustainable funding, these roles will transition to paid positions. You’re not just filling a volunteer slot. You’re building the foundation for your future career.

Do I need a college degree to join Elevate?

Absolutely not. That’s the whole point of Elevate.

The disability advocacy field is full of talented, experienced, driven self-advocates who could run organizations and lead at the executive level, but they keep hitting the same wall: credentialism. Elevate destroys that barrier by assessing your actual skills and placing you based on what you can do, not what degrees you hold.

What kind of leadership roles are available through Elevate?

We’re currently seeking a Chief Programming Officer, a new senior leadership role that oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of all NGAA programs.

As we grow, additional administrative and executive roles will become available through Elevate. We need leaders who can think strategically, manage teams, build programs, and drive systemic change.

Can I apply to Elevate if I’ve never held a formal leadership position?

Yes. Elevate recognizes that leadership happens in all kinds of contexts, not just formal job titles.

If you’ve led informally in your community, coordinated advocacy efforts, managed projects, organized peer networks, or navigated complex systems and emerged with insights that could transform those systems, you have leadership experience. Elevate is designed to honor that.

The Rebrand

Why did The Morris Youth Foundation become NextGen Advocacy Arkansas?

After nearly a decade of work, our founder, William E. Morris, kept hearing the same message from parent advocates, disability governmental bodies, and self-advocates: Arkansas needed an independent, self-advocate-led organization that wasn’t afraid to challenge systems and fight for real change.

The rebrand wasn’t just a name change. It was a philosophical shift toward bolder, more unapologetic advocacy centered entirely on self-determination and civil rights.

What happened to The Morris Youth Foundation?

The Morris Youth Foundation didn’t disappear. It evolved. NextGen Advocacy Arkansas carries forward the legacy of MYF while sharpening its focus on self-advocacy, policy reform, and community empowerment.

Does the rebrand change the organization’s mission?

Yes and no. The core commitment to empowering people and creating pathways for leadership remains the same. But the mission is now sharper, more focused, and explicitly centered on disability advocacy and self-determination.

Getting Involved

How do I become a member?

Apply through NextGen Pathways. You’ll submit a simple application, connect with the Pathways team, and get matched with the program that fits your goals and strengths.

I’m not sure I’m ready to lead. Can I still join?

Absolutely. Leadership looks different for everyone, and NGAA meets you where you are. Some members want to step into executive roles. Others want to participate in advocacy campaigns, attend community events, or connect with peer support networks. There’s room for all of it.

Can family members or allies get involved?

NGAA is a self-advocate-led organization, so membership is reserved for individuals with disabilities. However, family members and allies can support the mission by spreading the word, attending public events, and advocating for policies that align with NGAA’s values.

We may also develop partnership opportunities for allies as the organization grows.

How can I support NGAA financially?

Right now, we’re in the early stages of building sustainable funding infrastructure. As we develop our fundraising model, we’ll share opportunities for financial support through donations, sponsorships, and grants.

If you’re interested in supporting NGAA financially, reach out to us directly at info@nextgenadvocacyar.org.

Contact and Next Steps

How do I get in touch with NGAA?

You can reach us at:

General Inquiries: info@nextgenadvocacyar.org
Pathways Applications: pathways@nextgenadvocacyar.org
Elevate Opportunities: elevate@nextgenadvocacyar.org

I have more questions. Who should I contact?

Reach out to us at info@nextgenadvocacyar.org. We’re here to answer your questions and help you figure out how NGAA can support your advocacy journey.

What’s next for NGAA?

We’re recruiting our founding cohort, launching Pathways and Elevate, and building the infrastructure for long-term statewide impact. Additional programs are in development, and we’re working toward sustainable funding that will allow us to compensate our leadership team and expand our reach.

This is just the beginning. And we want you to be part of it.

Ready to join the movement?