PA Transition Tidbits

We've added a great new resource on the pasecondarytransition.com website! Within the new transition assessment planning toolkit you will find the tools, resources, and materials here helpful when improving the transition assessment planning process for all students.

After exploring and interacting with the toolkit, you will be able to:

• Implement a three-step process to guide the transition assessment planning process for students with significant disabilities.
• Utilize materials and resources to select and prioritize areas for transition assessment.
• Make changes and improvements to your transition assessment process for students with significant disabilities.

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 OSEP 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.

Don't forget to check out this great resource from OSERS, A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students with Disabilities.

A webinar was hosted on May 10, 2023 to introduce the initiative to the field. Please take some time to view the recording linked below.

Time to nominate a student for the Yes I Can Awards! Every year, CEC is proud to recognize children and youth with exceptionalities who have demonstrated their determination and achievements in multiple ways.

The Yes I Can Awards recognize 12 outstanding students with exceptionalities (ages 3-21) in six categories:

• The Yes I Can Academic Award
• The Yes I Can Arts Award
• The Yes I Can Technology Award
• The Yes I Can Transition Award
• The Yes I Can School and Community Award
• The Yes I Can Self-Advocacy Award
• 
  

Award recipients will be honored during an award ceremony at the 2024 CEC Convention & Expo in San Antonio, TX and receive a $200 cash award. Winners and their families who are able to join us in San Antonio will also receive a travel stipend.

Nominations close September 25, 2023.

Nominate a student

Learn more

Questions? Email Sharon Rodriguez.

Hosted by:

National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative

June 8

2 - 3 PM (Eastern)

This webinar is the second in a series exploring issues that can impact the mental health of individuals who have reached the developmental period associated with transition services. The content of this specific presentation will include a discussion of topics to include anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm; school violence; social media; partnering with families; and supporting friends secondary to their own mental health.

Use this link to register!

SAVE THE DATE

Please Share!

On July 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2023 the PA Care Partnership is hosting an event for youth and young adults who live in PA. To create synergy, network, and promote learning and leadership amongst youth throughout Pennsylvania, you are invited to come together, learn about one another, and impart your knowledge and experience on all thing’s youth.

We invite you to discover other groups and organizations to discover what's happening across the state and where YOU can make an impact. We intend to build relationships and the opportunity to work in partnership with each other so that youth voices are heard throughout the Commonwealth. Please consider joining us.

We have included a brief Survey Monkey for those who are interested in attending. Please respond no later than Monday, May 22nd, 2023. More details to follow!

Dates & Times

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023, from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Thursday, July 27th, 2023, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Friday, July 28th, 2023, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Register Here

Please direct all questions to Jamal Ford from the PA Care Partnership fordj3@upmc.edu.

The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) will once again be offering The Nuts and Bolts of Job Coaching, an a self-paced online course. This self-paced five module online course provides participants with relevant information regarding the role of a Job Coach to support students in community based work settings.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the responsibilities and competencies needed to support transition-aged students build work-related skills in community-based settings

• Identify relevant Labor Laws and implications when supporting students in employment settings

• Apply and implement strategies to provide community-based employment education to students with disabilities

• Reflect on personal skills and practice to identify strengths and areas for growth

Course Options

Summer 2023: July 5 – August 16, 2023

Fall 2023: October 10 – December 5, 2023

Spring 2024: March 12 – April 23, 2024

Access registration for the Summer Session!

2023 PA Community of Practice Transition Conference

Our Voice, Our Plan, Our Future
August 9 & 10, 2023

Virtual and In-Person Registration Available

Access the Conference Brochure Here!

Youth & Family Scholarships Available

A limited number of scholarships are available for conference attendees who meet the following criteria:

• Transition-aged youth between the ages of 14-22 with a current IEP, a 504 Plan or self-disclose that they have a disability accompanied by an adult (family member/caregiver)

• Family member or caregiver of a transition-aged youth between the ages of 14-22, with a current IEP, a 504 Plan or selfdisclose that they have a disability without the youth attending.

• Member of Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN)

• Youth Ambassador

For applicants to receive a scholarship from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), they must have an OVR-244 (Pre-ETS Consent) on file or have an open case with OVR. If there isn’t an OVR-244 on file prior to applying for the scholarship, a referral to OVR is required to receive a scholarship.

Families are encouraged to apply by completing the scholarship application on or before June 30, 2023.

The scholarship will cover the following:
• Registration Fee – for either in-person or virtual registration
• Lodging - Cost of a double occupancy hotel room for those that live beyond 50 miles of the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center
• Meals - Continental breakfast and lunch on August 9th and August 10th will be available. All other meals will be the responsibility of the applicant.
• Please Note - Scholarships do not include travel expenses or transportation.
• Childcare is NOT provided.

The mission of the Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN) is to coordinate a network led and driven by inclusive organizations of youth and young adults with and without disabilities across Pennsylvania.

Check out their new website to learn more about creating affiliate sites in your area.

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!

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