Governor Shapiro proclaims March 2024 is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

The Awareness Days Website offers the following suggestions for ways to get involved:

• Participate in Local Events: Join workshops, seminars, or inclusive activities in your community celebrating the month.

• Educate & Advocate: Share informative resources, stories, and statistics about developmental disabilities on social platforms.

• Support Organizations: Contribute to, or volunteer with, organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

• Promote Inclusivity: Encourage schools, workplaces, and community centers to adopt inclusive practices and programs.

• Listen & Learn: Engage with individuals with developmental disabilities, listening to their experiences and perspectives, and learn from them.

In this short video, learn more about the Office of Developmental Programs and their role in a person’s successful transition. This video can be used to help explain why an individual or family may wish to seek supports from ODP.

The MYODP website is a resource to help with navigating the ODP system. Another important tool for individuals and families navigating the ODP system is the Gold Book. For individuals and families new to the system or for anyone interested in navigating ODP, this book is intended to be a guide to the system.

The one-page graphic below gives the reader information on how to get through the "front door" at ODP.

The Home and Community Services Information System HCSIS Services and Supports Directory is a tool for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism (ID/A), their families, and circle of support to locate services and service providers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The directory can help you locate particular service providers or search for services and supports provided in an individual's community. This directory does not include information on all providers but only of those that have chosen to be listed in it. This directory also provides information about specific services funded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) under the home and community-based waiver programs. For more information about the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), you can visit their official website at the following link: ODP Website.

Once you or your child qualify for ODP services, you will begin to work with a supports coordinator. This guide will help you as you prepare to talk with your supports coordinator about your situation and needs.

Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance (“Medicaid”) program includes home and community-based services waivers (“HCBS Waivers”) that fund a variety of services enabling eligible individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) and/or autism to live in their own homes and communities. The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to provide an overview of Medicaid HCBS Waivers generally and the HCBS Waivers in Pennsylvania that offer services to people with ID and/or autism.

From ODP Deputy Director Kristen Ahrens:

"Everyday Lives guides us in our commitment to help create a world that embraces and celebrates human differences, a world in which everyone can experience belonging."

Learn more about ODP's commitment to Every Day Lives.

Increasing awareness and understanding of developmental disabilities, DD Awareness month is a reminder of the prevalence of developmental disabilities and how those living with them are integral members of our communities!

From the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), this year’s theme is “A World of Opportunities' '; celebrating people and working together to remove obstacles. The goal is “to build a community that’s committed to creating a world where everyone can do well and succeed. Join us in making a world where all kinds of people have the chance to thrive.” Learn more at the NACDD website: https://nacdd.org/ddam1/

From the Association for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (AADD) we learn about opportunities provided: “Today, AADD serves all of the greater Philadelphia area and continues to provide a unique combination of programs that focuses on helping members feel empowered to live and work in their community. AADD members are employed at almost four times the national average for adults with developmental disabilities, half live outside their family home, and everyone reports feeling happier because of AADD.” Learn more at the AADD website: https://aaddpa.org/mission-statement/

Our team wants to highlight the remarkable young woman and co-founder of Cookie Cookie Ice cream, Hannah, to showcase one of the many projects happening in the developmental disabilities community. When minimal opportunity presented itself, Hannah, with the support of her family, took it upon herself to make her dreams a reality starting her own business, Cookie Cookie Ice Cream Company in the food service industry. Now with 70% of their support staff being neurodiverse, Cookie Cookie Ice Cream has become an integral part of its community with a mission to promote self advocacy, self determination, and dignity. An example of a place where youth with neuro-diversities and DDs can find community and opportunity. Learn more at the Cookie Cookie Ice Cream website: https://cookiecookieicecream.com/about-us

Here are some ways YOUth can get involved during this year's DD Awareness month.

Inclusion Day (March 4):

• Youth are encouraged to wear orange on Inclusion Day to show support for community inclusion. A day about making the community a more inclusive place for people of all abilities.

Celebration Awards (March 27):

• “The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton counties will host the awards at the The Lehigh Valley Hotel & Conference Center in Bethlehem, PA. This event aims to acknowledge the significance of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the state.”

World Down Syndrome Day (March 21):

• “The Greater Philadelphia YMCA is hosting Rock Your Socks Why socks? Chromosomes actually resemble mismatched socks, and March 21st symbolizes the 3 pairs of the 21st chromosome present in people with Down Syndrome. So wear your colorful, bright socks and celebrate with them!”
• “The Bucks County Down Syndrome Interest Group invites you to wear LOTS OF SOCKS on March 21, 2024. Show your support and help raise awareness for Down Syndrome. The event takes place at 63 East State Street, Doylestown, PA.”

Purple Day for Epilepsy (March 26):

• “Lace Up for Epilepsy: Encourage others to wear purple shoelaces and start conversations about epilepsy.”

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month:

• “The Cerebral Palsy Research Network is hosting the third annual Cerebral Palsy Awareness Photo Contest. Community members living with CP are invited to submit up to five photos depicting their day-to-day life, adventures, challenges, joys, and journey. The contest aims to create awareness and build an authentic library of photography about people with CP.”
• “March is recognized as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month worldwide. Show your support by wearing a green ribbon throughout March.”

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month:

• “Walk MS: Your Way 2024: This event brings together passionate people with the powerful purpose of ending MS forever. Participants can choose their own way to walk and feel the support of a community working towards breakthroughs and solutions.” This is an ongoing nationwide virtual event.

The Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) team is looking forward to what’s to come in the Spring season. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the YES within your region to schedule training, learn about support, or invite them to local events! The Groundhog didn’t see its shadow - Spring is on the way!

The Arc of Pennsylvania promotes the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

Explore their website to learn more about initiatives, training, resources, and ways to get involved!

The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is a group of people with disabilities, family members, advocates, and state department representatives who work to create favorable conditions for people with developmental disabilities and their families in the Commonwealth.

Explore the PADDC website to learn more about events, resources, and funding opportunities.

Information Acquired from the PCIL website (2024)

"A Center for Independent Living is a consumer‑controlled, community‑based, cross‑disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provides an array of independent living services. At a minimum, 51% of staff are persons with disabilities and 51% of Board of Directors are persons with significant disabilities. (from Section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973)

All Centers for Independent Living offer five Core Services, including:

• Independent Living Skills Training: Individually designed training to increase confidence and self-reliance is offered to consumers in areas such as income benefits, social or recreational opportunities, self-care, transportation, education, communication, assistive technology, budgeting, housing assistance and job readiness and job networking. The consumer sets the pace, decides the goals and does the work with CIL staff serving as role models, advocates and supporters.
• Peer Mentoring: CILs schedule events that will facilitate the peer mentoring process. Peer Mentors are matched with persons to manage, remove or cope with the barriers they encounter. Goals are set by the person with a disability (consumer).
• Information and Referral: You have a question about services and programs in your community? Do you need help for yourself or your loved one? CILs are there to help. If they don’t have the answer, they will work to find the answer. That may mean another phone call or website to explore, but CILs will do their best to find the answer you need to know.
• Individual and Systems Advocacy: Empowering people with disabilities to speak for themselves and assert their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights is an important component of the four core services. CIL staff also advise and assist people with disabilities in advocating for the elimination of barriers and practices that preclude one’s access to the greater community at large.
• Transition: Facilitate the transition of individuals with significant disabilities from nursing homes and other institutions to home and community-based residences, with the requisite supports and services. Provide assistance to individuals with significant disabilities who are at risk of entering institutions so that the individuals remain in the community. Facilitate the transition of youth who are individuals with significant disabilities who are eligible for individualized education programs."

To find a Center for Independent Living (CIL) in your area, use the PCIL Directory.

The IEP team member introduction video series can help students, families, and educators understand how each team member can contribute to an IEP team.

The play list has 23 short animations that highlight the many different people that can add input and guidance to the IEP process and meeting.

They are great ways to introduce staff members to personnel, highlight their roles to administration, provide quick tips to families, and help youth recognize who is on their team.

Please share the flyer and the QR code with school staff, families and youth!

And be sure to look at the SLIEP hub at www:bit.ly/sliep for more information.

"In support of Secretary Cardona’s mission to improve equity across our nation’s schools, Director Williams is pleased to announce a new initiative to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities: Expect, Engage, and Empower: Successful Transitions for All!

This initiative will challenge the field to join OSERS to raise expectations, engage families earlier, and empower all who support transition services to measurably and significantly improve postsecondary outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and their families. Every family that has an infant, child, or youth identified with a disability must be exposed to high expectations from day one. In order for improvement to occur, three things must happen:

• The education and vocational rehabilitation systems must work together,
• Critical discussions about the future and transition planning process must start sooner, and
• ALL students with disabilities should have the opportunity to learn about all post-secondary opportunities and make the best choice for themselves.

Our systems should be prepared to make their vision a reality by providing information about any needed support services, and proactively address needs."

From the IDEAS That Work Website, October 2023

To support the work of this initiative, a recourse database was created. Click here to find great resources to support transition!

Looking for a place where you can Connect, Collect, & Contribute

to all things secondary transition?

Connect with people from across our state to collect

resources, share events and contribute stories about positive post-school outcomes!

Click here to create an account and login to join our PA Secondary Transition- Public Square.

Are you looking to learn more information about transition?

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides information, tools, and supports to assist multiple stakeholders to provide effective services and instruction for students and out-of-school youth with disabilities.

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!

Available for a fee, Strive Autism Transition Consulting and Coaching is hosting an 8 session College Readiness Bootcamp. Discounts are available based on financial need.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

2:00-3:00 PM EDT

By proactively being more inclusive, employers foster an environment that encourages disability self-identification and ensures the creation and sustainability of diverse workplaces. Equally important, employers benefit from a wider pool of talent, skills, and creative business solutions and from achieving compliance with federal regulations. This webinar, presented by the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, offers strategies for creating a workplace culture that is welcoming and affirming to applicants and employees with disabilities.

Silvia Calderon, ODEP Policy Advisor on the Employer and Workplace Policy Team, will provide several strategies for ensuring employees with disabilities feel welcomed and supported. These will include:

• Adding the “A” in accessibility to an organization’s DEI value statement
• Ensuring physical, digital, process, procurement, and communications accessibility
• Cultivating a psychologically safe culture
• Implementing disability employee resource groups

Certificates of Attendance

Certificates of attendance are available. The cost is $10. To purchase a certificate, you must first register for the session. You will receive a registration confirmation message with a payment link to purchase a certificate. You must pay for the certificate before the webinar. Instructions for claiming your certificate are provided during the live webinar. Find more details about continuing education recognition for webinars.

Register here.

Charting Your Course

July 31-August 1, 2024

Virtual and In-Person Opportunities Will Be Available
Penn Stater Conference Center - 215 Innovation Boulevard State College, PA 16803

More information available on the conference website!

The ​Pennsylvania Community of Practice Transition Conference Planning Team invites all interested profit and non-profit transition related agency/organizations who provide information to students with disabilities and/or their parents to reserve a table at the Accommodations, Supports & Resources Expo at the 2024 PA Community of Practice Transition Conference – Charting YOUR Course on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at the Penn Stater Conference Center, 215 Innovation Boulevard, State College, PA 16803. The Expo will be in-person beginning at 10:00 am and closing at 5:30 pm. This includes a Reception and Raffle scheduled from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

If you wish to reserve a table this year, please complete the following link at: https://forms.office.com/r/zM9ehNVYqh by July 5, 2024, to be included in the Expo program book.

Are you looking for transition events across PA?

Don't forget to check the events calendar to stay up to date on all of the great events happening in PA and nationally related to secondary transition!

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a group of various stakeholders from across Pennsylvania who work collaboratively to ensure appropriate transition outcomes for Pennsylvania youth and young adults.

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a state leadership team consisting of representative from: the State Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Human Services; Various Serving Agencies, Young Adults, Parent Organizations, Advocates, Higher Education, and Employers.

The shared vision and common goals of the Pennsylvania Community on Transition is achieved when all PA youth and young adults with disabilities:

• Successfully transition to the role of productive and participating adult citizens
• Are empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice
• Have equal access to resources that will promote their full participation in the communities of their choice.

Email: pasecondarytransition@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/
Phone: 4128266878
Twitter: @hmangiskuntz