Tammy Evrard

Empowerment Director

Tammy Evrard began working in a group home for children with diverse abilities in South Pasadena in 1990. With passion, heart and personal experience she became a supported living instructor and then a service coordinator and resource developer with one of the 21 Regional Centers in California.

In 2004, Tammy moved into consulting, utilizing her skills to empower individuals, families, and agencies to strengthen their advocacy efforts. Her expertise in developing programs and training models of support led to her partnership with the Board Resource Center. Joining an innovative team, Tammy enjoyed the opportunity to develop person-centered interactive training curriculums, media materials and tools that helped people have self-determined lives.

Driven by the value statement  “Nothing About Us, Without Us,” Tammy moved into system change work with the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities. She became the advisor to the local advocacy group, the Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council (SAAC), a statewide organization led by individuals with developmental disabilities. She provided guidance and training to help members discover, grow and achieve their personal goals, advocacy work and leadership skills. Her efforts to help SAAC build a network of participants, families, businesses, and local and national organizations has enhanced their civic engagement, leadership presence, and voice in the community and at the legislature.

Tammy is passionate in encouraging the value of people having the life they want in voice, choice, respect and dignity. This is reflective in her team that includes self-advocates and family members as colleagues. Tammy has been able to work with children and adults in developing strategies that address community access and inclusion, emergency preparedness, human rights issues, employment, mental health supports, and Limited English Proficiency (LED) needs.