This report describes the best practices identified by eight projects in upstate New York funded to work towards increasing the number of individuals with developmental disabilities who serve in leadership roles on policy boards and planning committees of community agencies and organizations. Programs were based on the model developed by Capabilities Unlimited in Cincinnati (Ohio). The model focuses on bringing together as a TRIAD, persons with developmental disabilities, mentors, and board representatives to participate as partners within community agencies. Participating projects responded to a questionnaire after the first grant year, the community development phase. The community development phase involves planned interventions to induce positive structural changes in the community through citizen participation. Following an introductory chapter, each chapter focuses on a specific segment of the community development phase. Each chapter also closes with a summary of key strategies for future practice. Chapters address: (1) pre-launch activities; (2) outreach; (3) cultivating a cultural role model; (4) keeping the community connected to the process of inclusion; (5) successful outcomes; (6) major barriers successfully overcome; and (7) lessons learned. Seventeen appendices include project letters, resource lists, fact sheets, brochures, questionnaires, job descriptions, and training schedules. (DB)