PA Transition Tidbits
Updates and Events - January 2024
TRANSITION NEWS
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Offers New Blog Series on Successful Transitions for All
A cohesive secondary transition planning strategy can improve postsecondary education and employment outcomes for students with disabilities. A New OSERS Blog Series supplements OSERS' Expect, Engage, Empower: Successful Transitions for All Initiative.
Topics covered so far include:
Blog 1: Expect, Engage, Empower: Successful Transitions for All! Introductory Blog Post
Blog 2: Student-Led Decision Making In Schools
TRANSITION TOOLKIT
Tools to Introduce Post Secondary Ed for Students with Intellectual Disability
Empowering and Shaping a More Inclusive Future in Higher Education
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education through a Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) grant, the Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (PIHEC), under the stewardship of Dr. Thomas Neuville as the Principal Investigator and Dr. Ann Marie Licata as the Co-Principal Investigator is committed to fostering an educational environment where students with intellectual disabilities are not just included but are also provided with enriching and meaningful educational experiences.
The initiative's impact is magnified by the contributions of its five model initiatives at Duquesne University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Lock Haven University, Millersville University, and Temple University. Each institution brings unique insights and advancements, collectively enriching PIHEC’s vision.
For more information, explore PIHEC’s resources and initiatives:
- Visit PIHEC's website for comprehensive information.
- Watch the inspiring film "Opening Doors to College," available at Opening Doors to College, showcasing real stories of inclusion.
- Explore PIHEC’s Principles of Social Role Valorization, a series designed to aid educational institutions in enhancing their inclusive education initiatives.
- Learn about PIHEC’s Technical Assistance and Training offerings, tailored to support colleges and universities in establishing sustainable, inclusive postsecondary education programs.
- Consider becoming a member and be part of this transformative journey by visiting PIHEC's Membership Page.
Join us in embracing this inclusive vision for the future of higher education, where diversity is acknowledged, celebrated, and nurtured.
YOUth Can Do It!
YOUth Making an Impact in PA
A pivotal component to success after high school graduation involves engaging students in their communities and exposing them to real world work experiences. This type of involvement poses many benefits to the student including skill development, enhanced social integration, improved long term independence skills, and increased opportunity for employment. Students, turned interns, have been making great progress across the state as they are presented with numerous post secondary education training opportunities!
Since starting as Youth Ambassador on Dec 1st, Kylee has been busy setting up and attending meetings with different folks here at CIU20. She spoke with Amanada Sechrist about speaking engagements available through Northampton County Special Olympics. She met with Bianca McGrath, a Tac at CIU20, to learn more about student-led IEP meetings. Kylee will be working on a presentation for students on the topic of student-led IEP meetings. Kylee attended an IEP meeting for a fellow student to help him advocate for himself in regards to his placement moving to one with more work-based learning opportunities. Kylee was also formally introduced to the CIU20 Board, where she did a short presentation to introduce herself and her goals as Youth Ambassador. Thrilled to share this amazing work being accomplished! Excited to see what’s in store for our Youth Ambassadors in the future. That being said we are currently looking for more youth to be involved! Our team would love to hear from you about recruiting more ambassadors across the state. The Youth Ambassador (YA) role consists of working collaboratively with teachers, OVR, Local Education Agencies (LEA) Transition Coordinators, PaTTAN and Bureau of Special Education (BSE) staff to improve the transition of students with disabilities from school to postsecondary education or an employment outcome!
YES ON THE MOVE
Youth Engagement Specialists, Hayley Penn and Natasha Flecther, had the chance to visit more Project SEARCH sites this month and see interns hard at work. Among these sites included Phoenixville Hospital. Here, interns practiced a number of skills including patient communication, scheduling, organization, maintenance, and accommodation In addition, our YES workers visited Lehigh Valley Hospital, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center. Each Project SEARCH visit highlighted the valuable training experience the interns are receiving preparing them for work after graduation.
The YES team also attended the central operations meeting of OVR at the beginning of December. They had the pleasure of meeting the division chiefs and talking with individuals that help make OVR tick behind the scenes. The team presented on the importance of engaging youth in their transition process. It was a pleasant surprise to see the PA Secretary of Labor and Industry pop in to hear the beginning of their presentation. They are excited to work with OVR in engaging youth throughout the Commonwealth!
RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) Releases Disability in the Workplace Toolkit
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) has released a 'Disability in the Workplace Toolkit' intended to help employers and coworkers “develop an increased awareness and appreciation of the potential of people with disabilities in the workplace.”
The Toolkit includes:
i. Facts and figures about disability employment
ii. Common myths about disabilities
iii. Need-to-know disability language
iv. Policy and accommodations information
v. Timeline of the Disability Rights Movement
STUDENT LED IEP (SLIEP) RESOURCES
THE SLIEP PROCESS INTRODUCTORY VIDEOS
Wondering how your school, your family, or your student can get started with the student-led IEP (Individualized Education Program) process and meetings?
Check out this companion set of introductory videos to learn more about the student-led IEP process and how to implement them in your school. Please share the flyer and QR code with school staff, families, and youth.
There is a video for schools and educators and a video for youth and families.
They give beginning ideas to take next steps and explanations on why the SLIEP process is important for all.
And be sure to look at the SLIEP hub at www:bit.ly/sliep for more information.
Expect, Engage, Empower Resource Database
"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
Announcing: PA Secondary Transition – Public Square
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.
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C)
Are you looking to learn more information about transition?
Check out their Training Resource Library.
If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!
Transition Events
PA SECONDARY TRANSITION EVENTS CALENDAR
Are you looking for transition events across PA?
PA Able Savings Program Workshops
Join the PA Treasury for free webinars for individuals with disabilities, families and professionals to learn more about the PA ABLE Savings Program.
Connecting PA ABLE and Work Incentives for Individuals with Disabilities: Experts will explain the PA ABLE Savings Program and Pennsylvania's Work Incentive Programs.
· Jan. 23, 2024 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
PA ABLE and Social Security Disability Programs: Working Together to Help Individuals With Disabilities
· Jan. 30, 2024 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Learn about the PA ABLE Savings Program!
A PA ABLE Savings Program account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. The state and federal tax-free investment options are offered to encourage Eligible Individuals and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.
To help you learn about the important features and benefits of PA ABLE, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is hosting free webinars.
Some of the topics that will be discussed include: eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits of PA ABLE, and how PA ABLE account interacts with current benefits.
This newsletter is brought to you by The Pennsylvania Community on 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