March into Transition Awareness month.  Three sessions will be held throughout the county as informal opportunities for students and families to hear from and connect with agencies and community partners important in transition planning. These "Transition 101" sessions offer opportunities to learn about mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and other community resources that may be helpful in life following the completion of school services. It's never to early to learn and start planning. There are three chances to attend.

All three meetings will start at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:

Thursday March 22, 2012

Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southeast (OSRC-SE)

 5055 Delemere Ave.

Royal Oak 48073

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

 Novi High School Cafeteria/Atrium

24062 Taft Road

Novi 48375

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Oakland Schools

 2111 Pontiac Lake Road

Waterford 48328

Each event will provide opportunity to visit agencies and network (6-6:30 p.m.), hear from different agencies about services (6:30- 7 p.m.), and opportunity to visit agencies (7:30-8:30 p.m.).

To register, please visit www.oakland.k12.mi.us. Select "professional development" and then choose the date you would like to attend. If you need registration assistance, please contact Event Management at (248) 209-2500.

These events are sponsored by Oakland County Regional Interagency Consumer Committeee, Oakland Schools and Local School Districts, and Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority and Service Network Providers.

As a reaction to the current real estate values and unprecedented low interest rates, there has been a federal investment initiative in the revitalization of Pontiac. This response has resulted in the creation of a unique homeownership opportunity. The federally funded Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) affords low- and moderate-income households the opportunity to own a brand new, high-end home at a rate less than they may currently be paying for rent.

Targeting the Unity Park area of Pontiac, NSP is positioning itself to be a key player in the revitalization of the city. The reach of NSP in not only designed for home buyers, but it encompasses an initiative encouraging the growth of local economy and educating the community on successful homeownership and investment.

Community Housing Network, along with OLHSA, has collaborated to bring this project to life! It is our goal to assist qualified home buyers with an exciting opportunity to own one of our 12 homes. Qualifying home buyers must be between 50%-120% of Oakland Counties Area Median Income (AMI), complete an 8-hour Homebuyer Education Counseling Course and be pre-approved for a first mortgage loan by a financial institution. For further program guidelines or interest in purchasing any of the newly constructed homes, please contact Soyini Cowan-Chambers at (248) 269-1349 or NSPSales@chninc.net.

Community Housing Network is pleased to announce FREE Financial Education classes, beginning  February 18, 2012.

The Core Training (3-4 hour class) will cover:

Community Housing Network invites you to attend our pre-housing workshops, where we will cover topics such as:

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 The following dates for Macomb County

1-4 p.m.

• February 13
• March 19
• April 23
• May 5
• June 18

The above workshops will be held at the Hope Center, at 33222 Groesbeck Highway, Fraser MI 48026 (between 14 and 15 Mile on the east side of Groesbeck Highway).

February 1, 2012

10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Goodwill/CIL

15515 South Dixie Highway

Monroe MI 48161

February 9, 2012

1:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Community Housing Network

570 Kirts Blvd, Suite 231

Troy MI 48084

February 23, 2012

 1-2:30 p.m.

Community Living Services

35425 Michigan Avenue W

Wayne MI 48184

This overview presentation will introduce many options, choices and decisions that are involved in long term housing planning. A NEW easy-to-read, yet comprehensive, guide was created through collaboration with housing professionals, service providers, schools, parent advisors and nonprofits. This tool can be used by families and individuals to  navigate the housing process with the help of housing professionals. Worksheets and internet links are provided to enhance an individual's participation and promote successful implementation.

Access the entire 294-page guide for FREE at http://www.communityhousingnetwork.org/GMOA

For more information on the project, as well as upcoming dates for workshops, please go here.

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Getting My Own Address Support Group

Oakland County Chapter

Are you or a family member looking to get your own address in the near future?  People, their family, parents and social workers are meeting once a month to discuss the housing opportunities for people with disabilities.  Often people need a large support system to acquire community inclusion and keep independence. 

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday February 21 at 6 p.m. at Community Housing Network's office at 570 Kirts Blvd, Suite 231, Troy MI 48084. Topics this month will include the benefits of renting and the obstacles one group recently experience in pursuing renting a home in the community. Guest speakers this month will include a family that has rented a home for their son in the past and now has bought a home so that pros and cons of both situations can be discussed. The group will also be discussing the potential of an additional support group located in the Milford/Waterford/West Bloomfield area.

If you have questions pertaining to these topics or would like to see other subjects related to transition planning added to a future meeting, please email them in advance to Chuck Bratton.