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Transition News and Resources - February 18, 2016
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 Recruitment has begun for the 2016 Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF)! If you know of high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors with disabilities who you think may benefit from this program, please invite them to apply. Those who have previously attended MYLF as delegates and others with an interest in youth with disabilities may volunteer to serve as staff members. MYLF is scheduled for July 18-22 on the Carroll College campus in Helena. The application deadline for both delegates and staff is March 25, 2016.
Montana Vocational Rehabilitation has partnered with the University of Montana's Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities to offer Movin' On in Montana, a free summer transition program for high school students. This is a four-day, on-campus experience for any Montana high school student (age 15-19) with a disability who is considering college. Students will stay in a residence hall, attend seminars, take campus tours, experience a college lecture, become familiar with student resources and participate in community activities. Seminar topics include assistive technology, self-advocacy and choosing a college major. This year's session will take place June 27-30, 2016. The registration deadline is May 1, 2016.
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A new resource is now available for transition services in the state of Montana. Through a contract with Montana Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services, the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Technical Assistance Center will provide technical assistance to Montana schools, Tribes, and VRBS staff regarding Pre-ETS for high school students. If you would like to learn about Pre-ETS training opportunities, resources, technical assistance availability and more, join the Montana Pre-ETS online mailing list.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is now accepting applications for the 2016 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy! The ACI summer leadership training prepares Autistic students to create systems change on their college campuses. Applications are due February 21, 2016.
Disability Rights Montana has launched a newsletter [PDF] to provide information about Social Security benefits and other transition issues for students ages 14 through 24. The Transition-Age newsletter will be sent to education professionals throughout the state. It will also be available on the DRM website. To receive the newsletter electronically, contact lori@disabilityrightsmt.org to join the mailing list.
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Staying Employed: Services and Supports for Workers with Disabilities by N. Denny-Brown, B. O'Day, and S. McLeod (Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 26(2), 124-131), explores the supports and accommodations that people with disabilities use to find and maintain competitive employment. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
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SmoothMovesYHT is a new website featuring youth health transition information targeted to teens ages 14-17.
The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health has launched its new website. Visit the site to learn about the Foundation's work to improve the system of care for children with special health care needs.
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Effect of Transition Planning on Postsecondary Support Receipt by Students with Disabilities by L.A. Newman, J.W. Madaus, and H.S. Javitz (Exceptional Children, 2016) reports data analysis findings that receiving transition planning education and having a transition plan specifying needed postsecondary accommodations significantly increased the odds that students with disabilities would receive supports at two-year and career and technical education schools. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
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Self-Advocacy and Advocacy
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YO! Disabled & Proud wants to understand where youth with disabilities are when it comes to voting. They have created a short survey for young adults (ages 18 - 28) to help them organize and plan youth-friendly voting activities/events.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has released The Right to Make Choices: International Laws and Decision-Making by People with Disabilities [PDF]. The guide was created to help people with disabilities understand decision-making laws and learn about different kinds of support that can be used to help make choices. |
Disability Rights Montana recently published a Transition Newsletter [PDF] that provides an overview of Social Security disability programs and the Student Earned Income Exclusion.
The Social Security Administration is asking for comments on how the Ticket to Work program can be improved. One of the issues around which SSA is specifically seeking input is: How can TTW encourage youth with disabilities to pursue apprenticeships, career development programs, post-secondary education, and other work-related opportunities? Comments are due by April 11, 2016.
PASS Online offers basic information about the Plan to Achieve Self-Support, an SSI work incentive. The site also houses a tool to assist in developing an online PASS application, which can then be printed and sent to the Social Security Administration.
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The Montana Assistive Technology Loans program offers Montana Access Loans, which provide Montanans with disabilities or their family members the ability to purchase assistive technology for a variety of needs.
The CAP App, released by the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), features an "accommodometer" that determines solutions to common accessibility issues. |
The February 9, 2016 issue of the Wrightslaw Special Ed Advocate online newsletter focuses on transition topics such as Transition Planning: Setting Life Long Goals; Legal Requirements for Transition Services; and OSEP Guidance on Secondary Transition.
Three-Year Impacts of Services and Work Incentives on Youth with Disabilities by T. Fraker, A. Mamun, and L. Timmins, reports findings of Mathematica's evaluation of the Youth Transition Demonstration projects. YTD, an initiative of the Social Security Administration, provided employment services and enhanced work incentives to young people with severe disabilities in ten research sites across the country.
Collaborative Assessment for Employment Planning: Transition Assessment and the Discovery Process by B.S. Stevenson and C.H. Fowler (Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 39(1), 57-62), describes transition assessment in the field of special education and the discovery process used by adult service providers, highlighting similarities and differences and making recommendations for practice. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.) |
Small Business & Disability Employment: Steps to Success outlines effective strategies for recruiting and retaining qualified people with disabilities as well as ways business associations can help their members understand the value disability diversity adds to their workplaces and communities.
The Arc's Tech Toolbox offers a peer- reviewed directory of technology products that are effective for people with I/DD.
Transition Truths is an online tool describing systems that may affect young people with and without disabilities as they transition from youth to adulthood. The tool is designed to be used by both youth and the professionals who serve them.
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Learning Opportunities - Montana and Online
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Feb. 24, 2016
1:00-2:30 PM MT
This webinar will present information on Social Security programs and rules, including details about Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Feb. 25, 2016
1:00-2:30 PM MT
Learn more about the LEAD Center's Independence through Employment Toolkit, a collection of resources for CILs and American Job Centers to deepen their understanding of each other's services and structure to improve the lives of job seekers with disabilities through employment.
Feb. 25, 2016
11:30 AM-1:00 PM MT
Hosted by Youth M.O.V.E, this is a virtual forum for youth and young adults to develop professional skill sets, connect as a community to share new resources, and unite with youth advocates and professional peers from across the country.
Feb. 25, 2016
9:45-11:30 AM MT
Pathways to Careers is an innovative employment program for people with disabilities, designed to include four core elements: (1) strengths-based assessment of participants, (2) an 8-12 week paid internship, (3) employment that features an employer payroll tax adjustment, and (4) ongoing career support. Join Mathematica's Center for Studying Disability Policy to learn about Pathways' progress and the early evaluation findings.
MYT Soft Skills Train the Trainer Session
March 1, 2016
1:00-5:00 PM MT
Billings, MT
Cost: $30 per person, payable to "NCILS/MYTransitions"
For youth who are new to the job market, understanding soft skills is a difficult but important step in their growth. To support these students and young adults, and the professionals who serve them, the Montana Youth in Transition Project has developed a youth-oriented soft skills curriculum. This training is appropriate for anyone supporting youth in preparing to be or currently employed. The MYT Soft Skills Curriculum also demonstrates techniques for teaching students with a wide variety of learning styles and abilities. To register, please email mylfjuneh@bresnan.net with "Billings Soft Skills Training" in the subject line. In your message, include the names of individuals attending the session and the name of their employer. Please include information about how payment will be made and if your agency will need to be invoiced. Please RSVP by Thursday, Feb. 25 at 5:00 PM.
March 1, 2016
1:00-2:30 PM MT
Is your school developing inclusive classrooms? Is your community promoting inclusion for people with disabilities? Inclusion is a popular term right now, but what exactly does it mean? (And just as importantly, what doesn't it mean?) What does it look like? Why does it matter? How can we make it happen? Join our webinar to hear answers to these questions and more.
March 1, 2016
10:00-11:00 AM MT
This is the third in a six-part Medical Home Webinar Series to enhance care coordination for individuals with special health care needs.
March 8, 2016
1:30-2:30 PM MT
This presentation examines the influences of degree of disability, social and communication ability, academic success, employment, and independence and autonomy on quality of life in young adults with autism and what we can do to make a difference in these outcomes.
March 17, 2016
6:00-7:00 PM MT
Join PEAK and the Shift Transition Project for a NEW series of webinars! The four webinars will offer practical strategies for getting adult supports and services as youth move through transition and beyond.
March 22, 2016
1:00-2:30 PM MT
Detailed description available soon.
April 12, 2016
1:00-2:30 PM MT
Detailed description available soon.
April 12, 2016
1:30-2:30 PM MT
Joel Carver will discuss how he became who he is today and the path he took to be a William and Mary student in the center of the first college-supported Neurodiversity group in the nation.
April 14, 2016
12:00-12:45 PM MT
The presenter will examine employer engagement strategies and demand-side factors associated with employment of people with disabilities. Effective strategies and tools will be presented.
April 18-May 16, 2016
Cost: $125
This course will take a closer look at customized employment and how it can facilitate employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. It will also review strategies for collaboration and braiding funding to support the needs of an individual with a disability to be successfully employed in the community.
April 25-June 6, 2016
Cost: $300.05
This course provides participants an understanding of the issues, challenges, and strategies that are involved with helping youth with autism transition to work and participate to the fullest degree in society.
May 2-July 25, 2016
Cost: $325
This course provides an extensive overview of supported employment and how to facilitate competitive jobs for individuals with significant disabilities.
May 10, 2016
1:00-2:30 PM MT
Detailed description available soon.
May 10, 2016
1:30-2:30 PM MT
This webcast will discuss the importance of using person-centered planning tools for individuals with ASD pre-k through adulthood.
May 23-June 20, 2016
Cost: $125
The course will cover Supported Employment/Customized Employment; Job Development; Business Research; Employer Relations; Job-seeker Representation; Employer Concerns; and more.
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Learning Opportunities - Other States
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April 6-9, 2016
Washington, DC
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs annual conference that was canceled due to severe weather in January has been rescheduled. Information for current and new registrants is now available, along with details about the conference program.
April 18-19, 2016
Sioux Falls, SD
Plan to attend the University of South Dakota's Center for Disabilities 2016 Symposium, featuring nationally renowned keynote speakers, presentations on leading edge topics such as Supported Decision Making, multiple breakout sessions, and more.
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