“Building Futures”
The “Building Futures”
high school transition conference has come back with a bang after a five-year
hiatus. The emphasis on transition planning to achieve better outcomes for students with disabilities is
growing across the nation.
As we teach students more
self-determination skills, we also need to prepare them better to achieve their
dreams of attending post-secondary
education, finding employment and
yes, even careers.
We also recognize that parents and professionals
need information on how to help students achieve these goals.
This conference was designed to bring those who have an interest in
transition together with leaders in the field.
This conference models the
partnerships needed to make good transition plans for
students. The Oregon
Department of Education, Oregon Parent Training and Information Center, Oregon Developmental Disability Council,
SPD/ Office of Developmental
Disabilities Services, and Oregon
Vocational Rehabilitation Services all participated
in the planning.
Assistant Secretary John
Hager, from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
talked about the need for agencies to coordinate services and resources to help students achieve successful transitions in his
keynote. After the conference
he spent time meeting with the
leaders of the three agencies who are responsible for delivering services to
students.
The lunch keynote was given
by Scott Hatley, the Executive Director of Incight. Incight is a
non-profit agency that helps provide the tools and
skills for those with disabilities to advance their education, seek and obtain
employment, and become active
participants in their communities.
Session topics covered
brokerages services, students in the
mental health, foster care and juvenile justice system, drop-outs and the
modified diploma, and person centered planning.
There were also sessions on career mentoring, healthy relationships,
social security employment benefits, meaningful IEP’s, and many more.
The award dinner honored the
Forest Grove Transition Team and
Beverly Farfan as Educators of the Year, Linnea Goranson who
received the Youth Achievement Award, and Norwest Safety was the Employer
of the Year. The evening
concluded with great Karaoke fun where the
singing went till 11 PM.
If you could not attend the
conference, or had trouble choosing which sessions you wanted to attend, we will
be posting most of the session hand-outs and power-points below for you to
download. If a session title is underlined, click on the title for the materials
from the training. Please take time and read over the wealth of
information that we have made available for you.
With only four months to plan
this conference we are delighted so many people attended and realize how
important transition is to youth in Oregon. Over 440 registered attendees now
have more information in their
“Transitional Toolkit” for the future.
- Cynthia Owens, Conference
Coordinator
The 2006 conference agenda is listed below to show the variety of sessions that have been available. If the presenters have provided us with information from their sessions, the title of the session is underlined. You can link to the materials by clicking on the underlined title.
Agenda from the 2006 Conference
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Desk Open –
Jefferson Center
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks, Nancy Latini,
PhD, Assistant Superintendent, ODE Office of Student Learning & Partnerships
9:15 a.m. –10:00 a.m. Keynote –John Hager, Assistant
Secretary of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department of Education
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break – Visit Exhibitors – Mazama Room
10:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
Student Track: Hood Room
1. The Benefits of Recreation for Teens Transitioning
into Adulthood
Presenters: Molly T. Elliott, Joe Bassey, and a panel of self-advocates from the
Young Adult program
The role of recreation and leisure is critical in everyone’s life. Many
individuals with developmental disabilities have limited opportunities for
recreation and leisure. This does not have to be the case! The Americans with
Disability Act guarantees that local park and recreation programs must
accommodate persons with disabilities in their programs. Learn what the City of
Eugene has created for young adults transitioning from high school to adulthood
and the benefits this program brings them though a combination of lecture,
question and answers, panel and power-point presentations. Hear why being
involved in this program is important to them and how it can be duplicated in
other communities.
Professional Track: McKenzie Room
2. Dropouts…Modified Diploma Recipients? Oh My? Can I
afford to provide Transition Services?
Presenters: Peter FitzGerald and Cliff Brush
Dropouts and modified diploma recipients can be entitled to special education
services through their 21st birthday, yet many leave the school system prior to
that age due to lack of services. Discover procedures that can be used to
re-enroll students, case manage IEPs, provide instruction AND still capture IDEA
dollars and basic school support dollars. These students can generate revenue
without sitting in a classroom.
Parent Track: Washington Room
3. Brokerage Session: Following the Roadmap for
Transition
Presenter: Tara Asai, Wendy Talifero, Ann Blackburn, Marcie Alvarez
Moving from high school into adult life is both exciting and challenging. One
possible big change that we experience as adults is working rather than going to
school. Where can you get help to plan for this big change? For many people with
developmental disabilities, this could be working with a support services
brokerage that can help you and your family to partner with other helpful
resources in your community. This session will give an overview of the
“Roadmap to Support Services” guide and how it can be incorporated into your
transition plan, including moving from high school into a paying job in the
community or going on to post secondary school.
All/Something for Everyone Track: Willamette Room
4. Career Journeys: A Career Mentoring Program for
Youth with Disabilities
Presenter: Jo-Ann Sowers and youth
This presentation will describe a career and post-secondary focused mentoring
program called Career Journeys for youth with disabilities, as well as the
results of the program. Participants will learn about practical ways to provide
mentoring to youth. The project included adults, with and without disabilities,
working in a wide array of careers, who mentored youth. The youth met in person
with their mentors, and also communicate with them via a web-based messaging
system. As a result of the project, the youth being mentored gained knowledge of
more careers and their career confidence was enhanced. Combining in-person and
electronic mentoring is an effective and practical approach.
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch
Scott
Hatley - Incight
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Break – Visit Exhibits Mazama
Room
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Student Track: (Two 30 minute sessions) Hood Room
1:00 - 1:30
5. The Friends First Network™
Presenters: Karen Gaffney and Bri Maier
The Friends First Network™ has been designed to help bridge the gap between students with disabilities and those without by providing a social structure for students to become friends and the opportunity to work collaboratively on a service project.
Objectives
• Participants will become familiar with the Friends First Network™.
• Participants will engage in conversation related to the importance of friendships for high school students of all abilities.
• Participants will have the information they need in order to start a Friends First Network™.
1:30 - 2:00
6. Get Moving
Presenters: Karen Gaffney and Bri Maier
Are you ready to “Get Moving?” This workshop provides participants with the tools they need to create a dynamic exercise plan and form a support structure with other participants that will help to keep participants excited and motivated about their fitness goals.
Objectives
• Participants will receive the information they need to learn how to make exercise a regular part of their day.
• Participants will get new ideas for a variety of exercises.
• Participants will be motivated to take what they learned and apply it right away!
Professional Track: McKenzie Room
7. Expanding Your Instructional Toolbox for Teaching Transition Knowledge and Skills
Presenters: Peter FitzGerald, Mike Johnson, and practitioners TBA
Oftentimes, special education personnel overlook the efficiency of utilizing instruction, events and activities that are provided through general education to achieve transition goals for IEP students. Similarly, practitioners struggle with how to effectively assess transition knowledge and skill, use that information to inform instruction and the IEP, and create teaching environments in which to practice transition-related skills. Participants will be provided with methods, strategies that work, challenges, and examples of potential materials to consider implementing a more comprehensive pattern of transition service in their own communities. Several transition-related curricula will also be discussed and available for quick review.
Parent/Professional Tracks: Willamette Room
8. What You Need To Know About Transition
IEPs: Changes to IDEA 2004
Presenters: Jackie Burr and Shelley Joyce
The recent changes in IDEA 2004 have strengthened the role of students, parents and professionals in the transition planning process. While transition now begins at age 16, the services must be student-driven; outcome-oriented; and use age-appropriate assessments to determine goals aligned with outcomes. The plan must include activities and strategies that are goal-driven and include functional needs. The discussion will include how assessments lead to goals; who is responsible for getting resource agencies to the table; examples of goal-oriented activities and the Summary of Performance statement and why it is important for students exiting high school. We will also discuss the new transition partners program (sponsored by ODE and OrPTI): what transition partners can do for parents, students and the team and how to access the partner program.
All/Something for Everyone Track: Washington Room
9. Person Centered Planning and Transition
Presenters: Tara Asai and Debra McLean
“Building Futures” fits perfectly with the concepts of person centered planning and transition from high school. For many individuals and their families, thinking about the next steps after high school is exciting, but it can also be a scary and bewildering time. This session is a basic overview of the process of person centered planning as a practical way of planning for transition. The presenters will discuss the process and share how they have used this planning tool with a wide range of individuals of all ages and disability labels. They will also share the experiences of one agency who committed to teaching all their professional staff how to facilitate this process and how it is influencing their services.
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Break between sessions, Visit Exhibitor – Mazama Room
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Student Track: Hood Room
10. Healthy Relationships and Dating
Presenters: Dean Westwood and Susan Labhard
For a successful transition to adulthood, everyone should have at least one friend. The purpose of this session is to focus on the importance of friends and healthy relationships. Participants will gain practical tips on safe ways to meet and keep friends. Tips on socialization and dating from male & female perspective will be provided. Information will be presented in a positive and interactive format with PowerPoint slides to illustrate concepts in a humorous way! There will be an opportunity for youth/young adults to ask questions and come away with tools to navigate healthy relationships in the future.
Parent/Professional Tracks: McKenzie Room
11. Using the IEP to Create a Meaningful Life: Transition Planning for Persons with Multiple Disabilities
Presenter: Sylvia Carnes
Students with multiple disabilities and their families will have more support agencies involved with transition planning while the student is still in school than at any other time. But how do you take advantage of that unique situation? This workshop aims at empowering the family to take the lead in the IEP process by providing ideas about the kind of information that should be addressed in the IEP. Topics of discussion will include how to assess what your child needs, the importance of developing independent leisure skills, how to assess the community to find volunteer opportunities and how to develop an IEP transition plan that includes goals and objectives directly linked to the skills necessary for a rich and meaningful life.
Parent Track: Washington Room
12. Brokerages and Families: Stories of successful transition plans
Presenters: Heather Kachel, RCO Brokerage, Personal Agent, and Andy and Linda Darling
Making preparations for good transition services early in high school is critical to successful outcomes for a student with disabilities. Learning how to leverage resources is the key to putting together a successful transition plan. This session will show you how two families succeeded and what it takes to get there. You will hear their stories of how they worked with schools, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, and job developers to get a successful outcome and a job.
All/Something for Everyone Track: Willamette Room
13. Social Security Disability Benefits and Working; How to make it WORK
Presenter: Molly Sullivan
It is possible to work and maintain financial and healthcare stability: this session is packed with information about how specifically to manage employment and critical benefits. Session participants will learn; (1) how Social Security disability benefits, and Medicare and Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan) are affected by working, (2) what special rules Social Security has created to support youth in working, and (3) how to incorporate benefits planning into the IEP process, or at anytime in the employment process.
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Break Visit Exhibits
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Student Track: 3:30 - 5:30 Hood Room
14. Connection Summit: Future Teachers and Transition Practitioners Converge
Presenters: Student teachers from Portland State University’s Graduate School of Education
Facilitators: Susan Bert, Cynthia Owens and Brigid Flannery
Teachers can be highly effective community bridge builders if they possess the necessary tools—being well connected and aware of community resources. This interactive session will bring future teachers together with veteran teachers; individuals who are in, or have experienced, transition; families and adult services providers to share connections and strategies about transition in practical ways. Session participants will be asked to contribute useful ideas and strategies that will support teachers to become positive change agents with their transitioning students. This session will give students, teachers and future teachers an opportunity to talk about their experiences
Professional Track: 3:30 - 5:30 Washington Room
15. Transition: All Kids have Dreams
Presenters: Calli Alexander-Hensley, Carl Sargent, Sue Wickizer; Facilitator: Jackie Burr
Thomas A. Edison High School is working toward implementing a continuum of services beginning in a student’s freshman year and culminating with a senior seminar class and portfolio presentation. We believe that students who successfully transition from high school to the “real world” have the following in common:
• SELF-DIRECTED goals,
• Paid work experiences,
• A mentor from school or the community,
• Instruction in the area of transition.
The session will explain the continuum, how it is currently being implemented, our vision for future growth and how these services could be implemented in a public school setting.
Parent Track: McKenzie Room
16. Measure Twice, Cut Once: Functional Vocational Assessment for Postsecondary and Jobs
Presenter: Ken Kosko
This presentation will provide participants practical information, tools and a process that can be used by providers to facilitate vocational assessments and self-determination for students with mild disabilities transitioning into postsecondary and job settings. There will be discussion around needed documentation, assessment options, instruments, and ideas for integrating self-determination into the assessment process. Two assessment tools, the Environmental Job Assessment Measure
(EJAM) and the Environmental School Assessment Measure (ESAM) will be presented.
All/Something for Everyone Track: Willamette Room
17. The Places You Can Go
Presenters: James Uyeda and Julie Wilcke
RideWise is a program that helps those living with disabilities and older adults to travel safely and independently using public transportation. RideWise is a unique partnership between
RideConnection, a non-profit community service organization, and TriMet. The RideWise program offers travel training to individuals so that they can travel more independently and resources (including a guide to travel training) for those who already have travel training programs. This presentation will give people resources and information on how to utilize
RideWise, resources for their own travel training programs, and ideas of new possible programs in their area.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Dinner and Awards Ceremony – Jefferson Center
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Activities
Computer Lab (see description, below)
Karaoke, Bachelor Room
Videos, Washington Room
Swimming
18. Oregon’s
Transition Website – Mazama Room
Presenters: Pattie Johnson, Marilyn Barlow-Pieterick and (possibly) Jackie Burr
The Transition Community Network website is a NEW resource designed to quickly link people to transition-related information. The goal of Oregon's transition website is to easily connect people with resources, be it best practices, peer chat rooms, or employer sites. Only the best sites are included, and each link has a text summary to increase the odds of getting what you’re looking for. This open-house-type opportunity is being made available so conference attendees can drop in and leisurely explore the options that this website provides. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Registration Desk Open Jefferson Center
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast Buffet – Jefferson Center
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
All/Something for Everyone Track: Bachelor Room
19. Covering the Basics: Health Matters and Transition
Becky Adelman and Jammie Farish
Transition planning for young adults often focuses on goals related to work, college, or independent living. One of the basic requirements for success in any of these choices is good health and self care. However, this important component is often overlooked in transition planning. In this session we will talk about:
• The importance of engaging children and youth in their own health decisions,
• Recognizing factors that affect physical, emotional and mental health,
• Incorporating health goals in transition planning,
• Challenges and strategies in identifying adult health providers and services.
Professional Track: Willamette Room
20. Strategies to Support Youth with Disabilities Involved in the Juvenile Justice System
Presenters: Tim Canter & Deb Churnside
The purpose of this session is to share strategies and examples of supporting a youth’s successful transition from a youth correctional facility to their home community and on into adulthood. Strategies will include:
• how to work with probation/parole officer,
• what community support services are often needed,
• job development strategies for specific criminal histories, and
• how to develop a youth’s self-determination and social skills for a successful transition.
Parent Track: Hood Room
21. Your Medical Card and Other SPD Supports
Presenters: Naomi Sack, Molly Holsapple and OHP and DSO representatives
A panel will provide an overview of programs and services offered through the Oregon Department of Human Services, Seniors and People with Physical Disabilities
(SPD) offices. Session includes information on:
• Basic eligibility
• Medicaid medical card benefits
• Residential, in-home, and other supports available for eligible persons with physical disabilities or developmental disabilities.
The panel will include Disability Services staff, a case management program coordinator, developmental disabilities program coordinator, and Office of Medical Assistance Program staff.
All/Something for Everyone Track: Washington Room
22. Oregon’s Disability Program Navigator
(DPN) Initiative
Presenters: Doug Denning and Brian Ingram
Navigators provide expertise and serve as valuable resources to the workforce system and to individuals with disabilities throughout Oregon. Navigator positions help to increase employment and self-sufficiency for people with disabilities by linking them to employers and by facilitating access to supports and services that will provide the transition to employment. Simply put, the overall goal of the DPN is to help people with disabilities to become employed or to stay employed. Come learn more about what the Navigator in your area can do for you!
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break, Visit Exhibitors
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
Student Track: Bachelor Room
23. Taking Control of Your Plan: The Who, What, When, Why, and How of Transition Planning
Jackie Burr and Shelley Joyce
This session for students will combine practical information with hands-on activities to help students participate effectively in their IEP transition plan by answering these questions:
• Who is on the team and who can I invite to meetings?
• What does transition planning mean for me?
• When should I be involved?
• Why should I help shape the plan?
• How do I participate?
Come hear how you can take control of your plan and help shape your future based on your own dreams and concerns.
Professional Track: Hood Room
24. Lost In Foster Care: Supporting The Self-Determination And Transition Of Youth With Disabilities Aging-Out Of The Child Welfare System
Presenters: Larry Dalton, Sarah Geenen, Laurie Powers, Alison C. Turner and Kenny Veres
This presentation will focus on the transition experiences of foster youth with disabilities, a group of young people who are at significant risk for poor adult outcomes. We will share information about current services for supporting the transition of these youth, such as the Independent Living Program, as well as alternative models, such as the My Life project, which emphasizes a self-determination approach. Presenters include youth, along with staff from the My Life project and Oregon DHS; participants will gain a better understanding of the challenging context youth with disabilities typically face as they exit foster care, as well as strategies for meeting their transition needs.
Parent Track: Willamette Room
25. Addressing The Needs Of Youth Who Experience Multiple Barriers To Employment In The Workforce System
Presenters: Clover Mow, and Central City Concern, Community Engagement Program Staff and Youth.
There are many youth who face multiple barriers to employment, including disabilities and homelessness. This session looks at how youth services in Region 2 is addressing those issues by focusing on career exploration, work experiences, transitioning to post secondary education and/or occupational skills training.. Clover will highlight success stories of some of our region’s youth service programs, as well as Central City Concern, Community Engagement Program
(CEP). CEP works with chronically homeless youth and adults who experience a disability, providing wrap around services and customized supports and accommodations within treatment, housing, educational and employment services.
All/Something for Everyone Track: Washington Room
26. What’s Important to Employers
Presenters: Scott Hatley, Anne Burns, an HR staff person from City of Wilsonville Facilitator: Lucy Baker
Have you ever thought about what employers are seeking when you see a HELP WANTED sign hanging in the window? What is the best way to approach employers when seeking your dream job? This session will give you the opportunity to hear from Scott
Hatley, Executive Director of InCight, Resources for Self-Employment; Anne Burns, transition specialist with West Linn High school; a staff member from Human Resources, City of Wilsonville, who recruits and trains students with disabilities; and Lucy Baker, Executive Director of Oregon Business Leadership Network. Lucy works with businesses on a daily basis and knows what they are looking for. The session will help students, parents, teachers, VR counselors, and other professionals look at things from the employer’s point of view.
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch and Keynote: Dr. Tom Ohling – Jefferson Room
Title: Nutrition Magician
As students head off to college or entering the work place, good health and nutrition are keys to success. When you feel better you are more productive and you are able to retain what you have learned. Dr. Ohling, establishes relationships between meals in the cafeteria, the home or in the community to your ability to handle everyday life situations.
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
Student Track: Bachelor Room
27. Youth: The Power of Independence, Leadership and Self-Direction
Presenters: Jan Campbell; Dean Westwood, Danielle Knight, Angel Hale
The mission of the State Independent Living Council (SILC) is to promote choice, equal access, and full inclusion of people with disabilities. Together with a representative of the Youth Leadership Forum
(YLF), we will share information about how independent living can work for and with youth and their families for greater independence and self-determination; self-advocacy and leadership skills and how to foster opportunities to use those skills for personal and transitional growth. We will talk about options for involvement in the SILC and YLF and provide information about services available in local communities to assist and empower youth toward a successful transition from school to independence.
Professional Track: Washington Room
28. Youth In The Mental Health System
Presenters: Laurie Powers, Beckie Child, Melanie Green
What is transition to adulthood like for youth who have mental health issues? What barriers do they face and how can they best be supported? What do youth need from their schools and mental health agencies? We will discuss common experiences of youth and ways that youth themselves, their family members, and professionals can assist them to successfully navigate from school to adult life.
Parent Track: Hood Room
29. Hey! Can I Try That? Self Determination for Assistive Technology Users
Presenter: Gayl Bowser
When students and their families are actively involved in selecting and planning for the use of assistive technology, tools like portable word processors, computers and augmentative communication devices are more likely to survive the transition from school to community. This session will present specific ideas to encourage and support full participation of students and their families in the selection, acquisition and use of assistive technology as a part of transition planning. Participants will receive copies of "Hey! Can I try that?" a planning workbook for students who use technology to overcome barriers to learning.
All/Something for Everyone Track: Willamette Room
30. Been There, Done That
Presenters: Rebecca Woods, Susan Grennan, Betsy Pacheco
What is documentation? Is my IEP enough at college? What is my role? What is the college’s responsibility?
This session will be a lively panel discussion with students who are somewhere in the process of transitioning from high school to post-secondary education. Hear some of the experiences they’ve had; learn how to make this important transition as smoothly and successfully as possible; see how to be really prepared for this big step. There will also be time for questions for an accommodation team from a local community college.
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Break– Visit Exhibits
2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Closing Plenary Session: Putting it all together – Jefferson Room
Jackie Burr and Janice Richards
The Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and Oregon Parent Training and Information Center are interested in providing information
and education to families about high school transition. We would like to hear from you on how high school transition services
are currently working for you (or your son/daughter).
Please Complete this survey and let us know what topics would be most useful to you. Your responses are confidential.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer this survey. Please click on the link below or copy it into your browser:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=664482104938