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Welcome to the newest 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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The Rural Institute Consumer Advisory Council (partially funded through a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Children's Special Health Services) is recruiting youth/young adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities or special health care needs, and parents or family members of such youth/young adults to serve on the council. For more information or to apply, please contact Kim Brown.
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 provides 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 Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has announced the second year of the Autistic Scholars Fellowship, a scholarship which provides four to six autistic students with a $5,000 tuition scholarship to promote autistic leadership and create systemic change on their college campuses. Completed applications for the January 2017 scholarship period are due on Sunday, October 30th. Questions about the fellowship program and the application process should be directed to Reid Caplan, Leadership Programs Coordinator for ASAN, at rcaplan@autisticadvocacy.org.
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Youth Workforce Development [PDF] is a six-page document that outlines key components of workforce development approaches and the evidence base for these approaches, offers examples of and links to youth workforce development programs, and provides links to a variety of other workforce development resources.
From Workshop to Workforce: Tennessee's Model for Reform describes how the only sheltered workshop in Shelby County, Tennessee used technical assistance funded through the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program to implement a community-integrated support model and close the workshop.
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The Adolescent and Young Adult Health National Resource Center, funded by HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau, invites interested individuals to subscribe to their new newsletter [PDF] by contacting Karissa Charles.
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YouthACT Transition Truths National Online Dialogue Final Report [PDF] provides a summary of ideas, comments, votes and participant data from the May 2016 event. According to the report, "the online dialogue invited youth with disabilities and allies of the disability community to contribute to a virtual conversation in an effort to gather insight and ideas on strategies and supports that can help youth and young adults with disabilities and their peers become successful adults."
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Self-Advocacy and Advocacy
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Rooted in Rights produces videos and social media campaigns focused on disability rights issues. The organization's social media sites and website provide opportunities for people with disabilities, self-advocates and their friends, families and allies to learn, connect and organize for change.
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A Survey of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Special Education Teachers on Collaboration in Transition Planning by D.L. Taylor, R.L. Morgan, and C.A. Callow-Heusser (Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 44(2), 163-173) reports study findings that showed "relatively low levels of collaboration and satisfaction between VR counselors and teachers. Respondents rated a list of collaboration practices relatively high in importance but consistently low in feasibility for implementation." The findings are discussed with regard to improving collaboration and transition practices. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
Emerging Adults with Disabilities: Theory, Trends, and Implications by J.M. Meyer, V.M. Hinton, and N. Derzis (Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 46(4), 3-10) explores literature on the developmental period of emerging adulthood (18-29 years old). The authors include discussion of defining characteristics, psychological constructs, developmental milestones, social trends, and transition issues affecting individuals with disabilities, along with implications for educational and rehabilitation services. (Article abstract is free; the full text version may require a subscription or purchase.)
The Office of Disability Employment Policy Integrated Employment Toolkit offers a collection of strategies to help youth and their families access necessary supports to prepare them for successful transition into integrated, competitive employment.
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The Center for Parent Information and Resources website houses self-advocacy webinars, videos, toolkits, and more.
The Washington State Developmental Disability Council funded the new online Person-Centered Planning Guide, designed to help people plan and prepare for each stage of life.
The MyKey Supports AppKey allows students to add information gathered in the My Transition Portfolio Workbook to their personal device. The information will then be easily be available as students lead their own IEP meetings, and meet with vocational rehabilitation counselors, caregivers and other members of their support team.
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Learning Opportunities - Montana and Online
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The ACE-VCU Ask the Expert Series includes short videos discussing important topics for parents, educators, community members, and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Aug. 24, 2016
2:00-3:30 PM MT
Ever wondered about how deconstructing a traditional lesson plan could lead to a more inclusive learning environment? Using UDL principles framed by CCSS, Luis & Kendra will take you on a deconstructing journey exploring processes to use available tech tools to create more engaging and supportive lessons that meet academic needs of all learners.
Aug. 24, 2016
9:00 AM-3:00 PM MT
This national event sponsored by Social Security will connect job seekers to companies that work with the government. These companies have job openings for persons with many different skill and experience levels. They are particularly interested in hiring qualified people with disabilities. The job fair is open to current Social Security disability beneficiaries who have assigned their Ticket to an Employment Network or State Vocational Rehabilitation agency; representatives of Employment Networks or State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies; and representatives of WIPAs or PABSS.
Aug. 25, 2016
11:00 AM-12:00 PM MT
Sponsored by the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, this webinar will include the definition of Independent Living Centers and the meaning of independent living for individuals with disabilities.
Aug. 29-Sept. 30, 2016
Cost: $250
This course will cover the basics and frequently asked questions that individuals with disabilities may have when thinking about starting a business. The course content is appropriate for individuals with disabilities as well as those who support them, including family members, community rehabilitation providers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, employment specialists, and others.
Aug. 31, 2016
10:00-10:45 AM MT
Students with significant disabilities may engage in a variety of behaviors that cause injury to themselves, such as hitting, head banging, scratching, hair pulling, biting, or screaming. Learn about the function these behaviors serve, the contributing factors that trigger the behaviors and how to observe and document the behaviors. Both educators and families will learn how to change the triggers, provide supports to the student, and teach more appropriate replacement behaviors.
Sept. 1, 2016
11:00 AM-12:00 PM MT
This webinar is designed to educate practitioners on issues pertaining to adolescent transitions from the medical home, with practical tips to start using immediately, and a particular emphasis on successfully transitioning adolescents with asthma and allergies to independent living.
Sept. 8, 2016
10:30 AM-12:00 PM MT
This Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) webinar will look at a wide variety of options for transition assessments - including those that go beyond the typical paper and pencil type. Knowing that students with different learning styles are going to need different ways of measuring their interests, skills and abilities, the presenters will showcase a variety of tools that can accommodate for learning needs and platforms, including various printable assessments; Discovery, work experiences and family interviews as informal and effective transition assessments; and the Montana Career Information System (MCIS), which offers a wealth of resources to help identify student interests and aptitudes.
Did you know that a compliant transition plan doesn't guarantee it is meaningful plan, but a meaningful transition plan guarantees compliance? Quality transition plans - those that are both compliant and meaningful - are essential for promoting seamless and effective transitions from school to post-school living for students with disabilities. This interactive session will review the state and federal requirements, including Indicator 13, related to writing transition plans for students with disabilities; highlight transition assessment strategies that support the development of quality transition plans; present strategies for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of writing transition plans; and provide opportunities for evaluating and writing transition plans using learned strategies.
This interactive session will introduce participants to the Employability Skills Framework and explain why it is important for students with disabilities; connect employability skill preparation to transition plans and lesson planning; and provide tools and strategies to select appropriate assessments and prioritize employability skills at the employer, district, and individual teacher levels.
Sept. 14, 2016
1:00-2:00 PM MT
This webinar will define motivational interviewing, provide an overview of how this technique works and tips on how to use this approach with clients to help them achieve financial stability.
Sept. 20-21, 2016
Butte, MT
The symposium will focus on utilizing work-based learning solutions to strengthen the State economy and build a workforce for Montana businesses across multiple industry sectors. Work-based learning, including apprenticeship training programs, support businesses as they grow and create more good paying jobs for Montanans.
Oct. 3-Dec. 23, 2016
Cost: $325
This course provides an extensive overview of supported employment and how to facilitate competitive jobs for individuals with significant disabilities. Topics include: federal policy; customer profile; job development; working with employers; job-site strategies; support plans; and alternative funding.
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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Oct. 19-22, 2016
Myrtle Beach, SC
Plan to attend the 20th international conference of the Division on Career Development and Transition.
Nov. 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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