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When should you start preparing a young person with disabilities for the transition from high school into adult life? Which agencies can play a role and when should they be contacted? What are waiting lists and what can people do while they are waiting? How early can the expectation of employment be set for children and what can families and schools do to reinforce that expectation?
Join presenters from Montana Vocational Rehabilitation, Big Sky High School, the Montana Developmental Disabilities Program, and the Rural Institute on Disabilities for a discussion of these and other "transition clock" topics.
Presenters:
Loretta Lowe has worked as the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Case Management Supervisor for the Region III DD office in Billings, Montana for the past five years and as a case manager in the office for a year before this position. She graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman in 1991 with a degree in Human Development and Early Child and Family Science Services. Her career has been focused on helping youth and adults develop individual plans to access life goals and needed services. Prior to joining the DD system she worked in mental health services for youth and children, spending ten years as a youth mental health case manager, supervisor and trainer. She also worked at the Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch and YDI.
Jeanne Stone has worked for Montana Vocational Rehabilitation for six years, 4˝ with Blind and Low Vision Services as a support staff and then for the past 1˝ years as a counselor. She is based in Missoula but travels to Sanders County several times per month to provide services. Prior to that she worked for ten years in various capacities at a small facility in Plains, Montana that provided work services for people with developmental disabilities. Jeanne has four children, one of whom has autism, lives successfully on her own with her two cats and one dog, and works part time.
LanAnn Bryant has been teaching at Big Sky High School in Missoula, Montana for nine years. She received an Associates of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts from Fullerton Junior College, a Bachelor of Science at the University of Montana, Special Education Endorsement through MSU Billings, and Masters of Science Education in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment from Walden University. LanAnn teaches Vocational Preparation II, a class that is designed to help students develop skills for the world of work. She is also the school's transition specialist, assisting students to access outside agencies for post-secondary school, work, leisure, and living in our community according to their strengths, preferences, and interests. LanAnn is actively involved in extra-curricular activities by keeping home books for volleyball and wrestling, running the clock for basketball, and announcing at track meets. She is a Homebound Educator for students that cannot come to school for a variety of reasons.
Ellen Condon is the Transition Projects Director at the University of Montana's Rural Institute on Disabilities where she has worked since 1996 on Transition and Employment for youth with significant disabilities. She is also a consultant with Marc Gold & Associates (MG&A) and Griffin-Hammis Associates, and is on the board of Employment for All (EFA). Ellen has worked in the field of Developmental Disabilities since 1986. Prior to coming to Montana her experiences included hands-on service delivery, program development and program management in community residential and supported employment programs. She received her Master's degree in Special Education from Boston College in 1990 after completing course work in Transition and Supported Employment. At the Rural Institute she has served as the Principal Investigator and Project Director for numerous federal and state-funded grants. She provides technical assistance, training, and on-site support to schools, agencies, individuals and families predominantly in the areas of employment, transition, and Social Security Work Incentives. She lectures and consults with schools and adult service agencies nationally. |
