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Transition News and Resources - June 1, 2016
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 Save the date! The 2016 Montana Youth in Transition Conference will be held in Helena at the Radisson Colonial Inn on November 14-16, 2016. Youth with disabilities, families, educators, counselors and service providers are invited to connect, collaborate and learn more about transition planning at this exciting annual event. |
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services recently released its proposed administrative rules [PDF] relating to the Montana Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program. (The ABLE program [PDF] was passed by the 2015 Legislature.) The purpose of the Montana ABLE program is to provide Montanans with disabilities access to tax-exempt savings accounts for qualified disability-related expenses. The proposed rules are open for public comment until 5:00 p.m., June 17, 2016. On June 9, 2016, at 10:00 AM, the Department will hold a public hearing in the DPHHS auditorium at 111 N. Sanders in Helena, Montana.
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 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.
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Employment Social Skills: What Skills Are Really Valued? by M. Agran, C. Hughes, C.A. Thoma, and L.A. Scott (Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 39(2), 111-120) discusses findings of a study in which a national sample of secondary teachers was asked to rate the importance of social skills in employment settings and the extent to which those skills were taught. Skills rated as most important included seeking clarification for unclear instructions, arriving at work on time, refraining from inappropriate touching of others, carrying out instructions needing immediate attention, notifying a supervisor when assistance is needed, responding appropriately to critical feedback, and interacting well with customers/clients. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
The Make Work a Part of Your Plan video and webinar series from the University of Minnesota Research and Training Center on Community Living was developed to provide individuals, families, and professionals with information around raising expectations for employment, as well as participation, innovative ideas, strategies, best practices, and direction for the future of employment support.
Customized Employment: A Review of the Literature by T. Riesen, R.L. Morgan, and C. Griffin (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 43(3), 183-193) examines the existing literature to identify the underlying conceptual and empirical basis for customized employment and makes recommendations for future research. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
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The March 2016 Medical Home Portal's newsletter, The Portal Periodical, is available online. It includes information, tools, and resources to assist primary care physicians in caring for children with special health care needs and providing a Medical Home for all of their patients.
Quick Guide: Mental Health-Secondary Transition [PDF] offers links to a variety of resources administrators, educators, mental health practitioners, VR counselors, and families can access to learn how to best support students with mental health challenges.
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Think College LEARN provides self-paced modules addressing topics related to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. One of the modules is tailored to families and describes college options, identifies how college is different from high school, discusses the changing role of families once students are in college, and offers strategies for families and students on how to navigate those differences.
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Self-Advocacy and Advocacy
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Three Social Security-related fact sheets addressing frequently-asked questions are available:
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The National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website features a Learning Center introducing key transition topics and links to online resources; a library of videos produced for transition-age youth with disabilities and their families; success stories from and about youth with disabilities; a library of publications and transition-related articles; and the latest posts featured on the site's companion Facebook page.
The Voices of Parents: Post-High School Expectations, Priorities, and Concerns for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities by C.L. Blustein, E.W. Carter, and E. D. McMillan (The Journal of Special Education, 2016) reports research findings that "parents prioritized paid community employment over sheltered options, valued qualitative aspects of the workplace (e.g., personal fit and interaction opportunities) over common employment outcome metrics (e.g., pay and hours), and held substantial concerns about their child's future employment success." The authors offer recommendations for research and practice aimed at raising expectations for and access to community employment for young people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
A Survey of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Special Education Teachers on Collaboration in Transition Planning by D.L. Taylor, R.L. Morgan, and C. Callow-Heusser (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 44(2), 163-173) reports research findings showing relatively low levels of collaboration and satisfaction between VR counselors and teachers. The authors discuss results "with regard to improving collaboration between rehabilitation counselors and transition teachers to improve transition practices." (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
Where Common Core Meets Effective Transition: You Can Have a Job by L.H. Rammler and M.L. Ouimette (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 44(3), 249-256) explores the implementation of the Common Core for those receiving IDEA-funded transition services and describes the critical components of a model demonstration project that results in a relatively seamless transition to adult services. |
GetMyFuture.org is a mobile-friendly web application from the U.S. Department of Labor that helps youth plan their careers, explore education and training options, and search and apply for jobs. The app includes career interest assessments, interactive informational videos, job search engines, and tips and best practices. It also connects young people to in-person career services and resources to overcome the challenges of addiction; homelessness; criminal conviction; or a lack of financial, family or community support.
Helen Keller Services recently launched a fully accessible website for its two divisions, Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults and Helen Keller Services for the Blind.
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Learning Opportunities - Montana and Online
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June 8, 2016
1:00-2:00 PM MT
This webinar will provide an overview of Better Money Habits, which delivers easy-to-understand information on a wide range of personal finance topics, and can be used by individuals and by financial educators and coaches as a source of interactive content that can enhance existing efforts.
June 9, 2016
10:30 AM-12:00 PM MT
Register today for this webinar and learn: What employment Soft Skills are; Why it is important for youth to learn what Soft Skills are and how to use them; Things to consider when teaching Soft Skills and techniques for including a wide variety of learning styles and abilities; How to access the Montana Youth Transitions Soft Skills curriculum and future updates; and more!
June 9, 2016
12:00-1:00 PM MT
This webinar will provide an overview of the benefits of volunteering, detail national service programs like AmeriCorps for youth with disabilities to choose from, and feature the experiences of a service alum with a disability.
June 9, 2016
12:00-1:00 PM MT
This webinar will highlight insights from mindset research on educational practices that support a growth mindset - the belief that abilities can grow with effort, learning from mistakes, and using good strategies. It will also touch on belonging research which can be especially helpful for enhancing students' resilience during the transition from high school to college.
June 9, 2016
12:00-2:00 PM MT
This event will feature disability benefit experts from the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Social Security Administration on hand to answer your questions; links to resources to help you find disability benefit information; and suggestions on how and where to apply for the assistance you need. Sign up by choosing the "Going" option under the image in the Facebook event, which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/276161859384152/.
June 9, 2016
10:00-11:30 AM MT
Join the Center for Studying Disability Policy to learn about the IC-RRTC's latest findings on how employment barriers, facilitators, and outcomes vary for clients of state vocational rehabilitation agencies. The presentations will highlight findings from the new Survey of Disability and Employment, a study of 3,000 individuals who applied for state VR services in 2014.
June 13, 2016
Helena, MT
This workshop will focus on using mobile devices as cognitive-behavioral and learning supports for students with autism, at home, at school, and in the community. There is NO COST for this workshop. If you have your own device, please bring it with you to the training. There will be devices provided for those who need them. Course ID: 6463
June 14, 2016
Helena, MT
Video modeling is the most deeply researched and valid educational and behavioral-training strategy in the mobile technology arsenal. During this half of the workshop, participants will explore the use of this strategy in positive behavioral support interventions for people with behavioral challenges, including supports for anxiety-management, task-completion, wayfinding, problem-solving, and social interactions. There is NO COST for this workshop. If you have your own device, please bring it with you to the training. There will be devices provided for those who need them. Course ID: 6464
June 14, 2016
2:30-3:30 PM MT
In this webinar, Dr. Lisa Wadors Verne of Benetech Global Literacy discusses the exciting implication of adding tactile components into the learning process with 3D printing. Dr. Verne will give an overview of the who, what, when, and how to use 3D printing to help students learn.
June 15, 16, and 17, 2016 (8:30 AM-4:30 PM)
Missoula, MT
June 20, 21, and 22, 2016 (8:30 AM-4:30 PM)
Hamilton, MT
July 13, 14, and 15, 2016 (8:30 AM-4:30 PM)
Butte , MT
Based on Dr. Marc Gold's "Try Another Way" approach to teaching people with intellectual disabilities, systematic instruction training is a must for people supporting individuals who have difficulty learning. This three-day course provides: background on the history of supported and customized employment; strategies to organize job information and to teach individuals to be competent, confident employees in integrated, competitive employment; and a model to facilitate the development of natural supports in the workplace.
June 16, 2016
10:00-10:45 AM MT
This webinar will address how paraeducator support has to be carefully choreographed to be not too intrusive while improving the educational outcomes of students with disabilities. Learn how to achieve a balance between providing personalized support to maximize learning opportunities for students while encouraging the growth of independence.
June 20, 2016
12:00-1:00 PM MT
The Catalyst Center's new tutorial, Health Care Coverage and Financing for Children with Special Health Care Needs: A Tutorial to Address Inequities, can help MCH leaders, family leaders, and other stakeholders understand and address health care coverage inequities that exist among vulnerable subgroups of CSHCN based on race, ethnicity, language, immigration status, and level of functional difficulty. The Catalyst Center team will be joined by MCH staff from the Alaska and Michigan Title V programs.
June 30, 2016
11:00 AM-12:30 PM MT
This panel presentation will focus on partnering with community-based organizations and connecting with service providers that can identify and prepare individuals with disabilities for specific workforce needs. This webinar will be of particular interest to disability program managers, diversity and inclusion professionals, human resources professionals, managers and hiring officials, from both the private and public sectors.
July 18-19, 2016
9:00 AM-3:00 PM
Billings, MT
This training [PDF] will focus on how to use Discovery as an age-appropriate transition assessment and an alternative to traditional assessments. The training will be a day and half. Directly following the training will be a technical assistance session for those interested in creating a plan on how to implement Discovery with a particular individual.
July 25, 2016
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Parent/Student Session: 6:30-8:00 PM
Billings, MT
Using her book, 7 Steps for Success: High School to College Transition Strategies for Students with Disabilities, Elizabeth C. Hamblet will share her experience and knowledge as an experienced special educator to assist teachers and others through the transition experience for students with disabilities. This workshop [PDF] is designed to assist educators, counselors, VR counselors, parents, and students in transitioning beyond high school. PLEASE NOTE: There will be a free parent/student presentation in the evening.
July 27, 2016
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Parent/Student Session: 5:00-6:30 PM (Heritage Hall)
Great Falls, MT
Using her book, 7 Steps for Success: High School to College Transition Strategies for Students with Disabilities, Elizabeth C. Hamblet will share her experience and knowledge as an experienced special educator to assist teachers and others through the transition experience for students with disabilities. This workshop [PDF] is designed to assist educators, counselors, VR counselors, parents, and students in transitioning beyond high school. PLEASE NOTE: There will be a free parent/student presentation in the evening.
August 8-9, 2016 (8:30 AM-4:30 PM)
August 10, 2016 (8:30 AM-3:00 PM)
Billings, MT
Based on Dr. Marc Gold's "Try Another Way" approach to teaching people with intellectual disabilities, systematic instruction training [PDF] is a must for people supporting individuals who have difficulty learning - This three-day course provides: background on the history of supported and customized employment; strategies to organize job information and to teach individuals to be competent, confident employees in integrated, competitive employment; and a model to facilitate the development of natural supports in the workplace.
Nov.14-16, 2016
Helena, MT
Youth with disabilities, families, educators, counselors and service providers are invited to connect, collaborate and learn more about transition planning. |
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Learning Opportunities - Other States
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July 13-16, 2016
New Orleans, LA.
The Autism Society National Conference and Exposition is a unique event that assembles a wide range of professionals, individuals on the autism spectrum, family members and advocates to discuss the latest developments and best practices in the field of autism. In 2016 conference organizers anticipate more than 1,000 attendees and 100 exhibitors.
July 25-28, 2016
Washington, DC
Registration for the Annual Conference on Independent Living, hosted by the National Council on Independent Living, is now open. The theme of this year's conference is Solidarity - Everybody In. Scholarships are available to support young people attending the conference.
November 16-18, 2016
Columbus, OH
Join participants from across the U.S. and around the globe to collectively focus on common concerns and share proven solutions that address issues and challenges faced by individuals with autism, sensory disabilities, and low-incidence disabilities across their lifespan.
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2016
St. Louis, MO
This year's conference explores inclusive communities, schools, and workplaces that support people with disabilities, including those with complex support needs, in living a fair, just, and balanced life.
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