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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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Announcing MYLF Mini! This is a 1� -day-long condensed version of the Montana Youth Leadership Forum and it will be held in rural communities across the state. (MYLF is a unique career and leadership training for high school students with disabilities.) The MYLF Mini sessions will be held as follows:
- Sept. 29-30, 2016: Glendive
- Dec. 8-9, 2016: Havre
- Feb. 2-3, 2017: Polson
- May 4-5, 2017: Dillon
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. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis; OPI Renewal Credits, Vocational Rehabilitation Continuing Education Credit, 1 University Credit & Social Worker/LCPC renewal units are also available.
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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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Money Smart for Small Business is a 13-module curriculum for individuals who are looking to start a small business or who currently manage a small business.
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The Catalyst Center State-at-a-glance Chartbook is a compilation of data on selected indicators of health coverage and financing for children and youth with special health care needs for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
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Section 511 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act imposes new restrictions on the use of subminimum wage jobs. The intention is to promote competitive integrated employment. APSE has prepared a summary [PDF] of the Section 511 requirements, which took effect July 22, 2016.
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Self-Advocacy and Advocacy
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The MyKey My Supports App 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.
The Vocational Rehabilitation Youth Technical Assistance Center (Youth-TAC) provides technical assistance and training to state VR programs and related rehabilitation professionals to improve transition programs and services for youth.
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The Montana Career Information System (MCIS) is available free of charge, to all Montanans. MCIS also offers several premium features, such as Academic Practice Tests,Civil Service Practice Tests, and the IDEAS Assessment, for a fee.
The WorkforceGPS website has numerous resources available on entrepreneurship to assist professionals supporting individuals interested in business creation.
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Learning Opportunities - Montana and Online
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The archived webinar Alternative Strategies to Build Credit [Video] is now available. The slides and transcript may also be downloaded. During this session, presenters defined credit building, distinguished the difference between credit building and credit/debt remediation, and explained the importance of credit building for the individuals we support.
Sept. 14, 2016
1:00-2:30 PM MT
September's webinar will focus on a Seamless Transition from secondary education to competitive integrated employment model that is designed to address interagency collaboration on the state and local level to systematically deliver early engagement and discovery, and early work experiences.
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. 15, 2016
11:00 AM-12:00 PM MT
Cost: $5
This webinar will showcase the lives, accomplishments, and experiences of three young adults who have successfully gone through the transition process. Each of the young people presenting live independent, thriving lives.
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. 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.
Sept. 22, 2016
11:00 AM-12:00 PM MT
Cost: $5
This webinar will provide tools for taking advantage of the opportunities that your community offers with the service system and applying these to the elements of a great life: home, work, friends/relationships, membership, and fun.
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.
Oct. 4, 2016 1:00-2:00 PM ET This webinar will introduce a wide variety of innovative technology tools that can be easily integrated into teaching and learning in the special needs classroom. Participants will be given ideas for integrating tools into Common Core instruction in ways that engage and motivate students with moderate to severe disabilities. NOTE: Participants should access the webinar through the Google Chrome browser.
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. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis; OPI Renewal Credits, Vocational Rehabilitation Continuing Education Credit, 1 University Credit & Social Worker/LCPC renewal units are also available.
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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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