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Welcome to the latest edition of Transition Tidbits. We hope you find the news and resources in this issue useful as you support young Montanans with disabilities in their transition to adult lives.
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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.
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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 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 2016 Adaptive Recreation Clinic will be held Friday, July 15, from 10:00-6:00 Mountain Time at McCormick Park in Missoula. Anyone who would benefit from an adaptive tricycle, hand cycle or hand/foot combination cycle for mobility, recreation or sport is invited to attend. Trailers and multi-rider bikes will also be available. Interested individuals are asked to call Petra, Monday through Friday at (406) 327-4634.
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U.S. Department of Labor's Summer Jobs+ Bank was created to help youth find summer jobs and internship opportunities in their communities.
The National Collaboration on Workforce and Disability/Youth webpage Youth in Action! - Getting Involved in Volunteering answers a variety of frequently asked questions, including: What exactly does volunteering mean?; What are some ways to volunteer?; How can I find a Volunteer Opportunity?; and more!
Summer Employment and Community Experiences of Transition-Age Youth with Severe Disabilities by E.W. Carter, N. Ditchman, Y. Sun, A.A. Trainor, B. Swedeen, and L. Owens (Exceptional Children, Jan. 2010) reports study findings that the most prominent predictors of summer employment status for youth with severe disabilities involved in the research were holding a job during the spring semester and teacher expectations for employment. The authors recommend increasing the capacity of schools, families, and communities to support the involvement of youth with severe disabilities in meaningful summer activities. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
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The American College of Physicians has published condition-specific tools for transition-age young adults. The tools each contain a transition readiness assessment for pediatric clinicians, a medical summary and transfer record, and a self-care assessment for adult clinicians.
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth blog includes a three-part series of posts on transition and mental health:
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On June 1, 2016 Ohio launched the STABLE Account program, making it the first state to offer ABLE accounts to qualified individuals with disabilities. The STABLE Account is a national program that offers enrollment to individuals with disabilities in Ohio and across the country.
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The PACER Center produced a podcast series with Think College to help families of students with intellectual disabilities become more familiar with the growing number of postsecondary education program options available. Transcripts of each podcast and links to additional resources are provided.
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Self-Advocacy and Advocacy
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI): The Bridge to Work [PDF] is a parent training curriculum from PACER Center. It provides answers to common questions families have about Social Security benefits and highlights federal and state training programs and Social Security Work Incentives that can help transition-age youth reach their educational and work goals while receiving SSI. The curriculum can be used by anyone offering training to parents of youth with disabilities in middle school or high school.
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The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, a program of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, maintains a database of case examples of employer practices that promote mental health among employees.
Mental Health America has created a webpage with simple steps to money management. Steps include developing a spending plan, finding help and learning how to save.
NativeOneStop.gov is a one-stop shop for American Indians and Alaska Natives to access resources available from the U.S. Government. Resource categories include youth, education, food, employment, loans, and environment.
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Learning Opportunities - Montana and Online
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The archived recording of Supporting Individuals with I/DD and Mental Health Needs is now available for viewing. This webinar explored the use of a biopsychosocial framework and case-presentation forum in order to identify and address the support needs of individuals with IDD and co-occurring mental health diagnoses or complex behavior presentations.
The Getting Ready for the Age of Majority webinar from the Center for Parent Information and Resources is archived for viewing. Handouts and presentation slides are also available for download.
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 21, 2016
11:00 AM-12:00 PM MT
Presenters will discuss results of the Healthy Transition Initiative, which explored the most effective ways to deliver transition oriented services that would result in positive outcomes for young adults (ages 16-25) with serious mental health challenges.
June 22, 2016
1:00-2:30 PM MT
Join this WISE webinar [PDF] for information on tips for the transition from school to employment; the Youth Transitions Collaborative; and Ticket to Work and Work Incentives for young adults.
June 22, 2016
2:00-3:00 PM MT
This is part of a series of monthly video chats that explore the lived experience of the practices that promote social emotional learning. Each month, the 30-minute chat will pair an expert practitioner with a young person in their program to delve deeply into one of the six Social Emotional Learning Challenge domains: Emotion Management, Empathy, Teamwork, Initiative, Responsibility, and Problem Solving.
June 28, 2016
12:00-1:30 PM MT
This webinar presented by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors and the Technical Assistance Collaborative will focus on generating well-being and career options for young adults with SMHC. Employment supports and the necessary and growing role of the employer will be discussed.
June 28, 2016
1:00-2:15 PM MT
This VSA (Very Special Arts) webinar will cover six guiding principles for teaching students with disabilities. Learn about individualized accommodations, evidence-based practices, improving understanding of communication techniques, and more.
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 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.
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
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.
Family Transition Plan Training
Aug. 11, 2016
9:30 AM-3:30 PM MT
Butte, MT
The Montana Youth Transitions Project recognizes that the parent/youth relationship is a key component to successful transition planning and that all aspects of a person's life should be explored to ensure a well-wounded transition plan. The Family Transition Plan Training is designed to help parents of youth with disabilities who are preparing for the monumental step into adulthood. Youth and parents will attend the Family Transition Plan Training together. To register, email June Hermanson or phone her at 406-442-2576.
Family Transition Plan Training
Aug. 17, 2016
9:30 AM-3:30 PM MT
Billings, MT
The Montana Youth Transitions Project recognizes that the parent/youth relationship is a key component to successful transition planning and that all aspects of a person's life should be explored to ensure a well-wounded transition plan. The Family Transition Plan Training is designed to help parents of youth with disabilities who are preparing for the monumental step into adulthood. Youth and parents will attend the Family Transition Plan Training together. To register, email June Hermanson or phone her at 406-442-2576.
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 we 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.
Dec. 1-2, 2016
Fairfax, VA
This conference highlights postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the U.S. It is a great way for family members and advocates as well as state and community teams interested in learning how to establish similar programs in their own communities to gather information and network with practitioners.
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Please note: The Transition and Employment Projects at the University of Montana Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities shares information and resources our listserv members may find of interest. We do not endorse the websites or workshop contents or their providers, and we assume no responsibility for the validity of information provided on sites or in sessions not hosted by our agency.
This project is funded in whole or in part under a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The statements herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Department.
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We hope you enjoyed this edition of Transition Tidbits. We welcome your feedback and suggestions at any time. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Kim Brown
MT Transition E-Mail List
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