2005 pa community on transition conference summary july 20 – 22, 2005
TRANSCRIPT
2005 PA Community on Transition Conference
Summary
July 20 – 22, 2005
Primary Purpose• To expand the capacity of community partners in
promoting the successful transition of youth/young adults with disabilities to post-school outcomes of employment, post-secondary education and training, community participation and healthy lifestyles.
• Learn new information about successful practices to assist youth/young adults with disabilities in achieving successful post-school outcomes.
• Obtain new ideas from other practices, and have the opportunity to listen, share information, and network.
Planned by a Cross-Stakeholder Workgroup…
• Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities• PA Bureau of Special Education• PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation• PA Bureau of Career & Technology Education• PA Bureau of Workforce Development Partnerships• PA Office of Mental Retardation• PA Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Services• PA Office of Children, Youth & Families• PA Office of Medical Assistance Programs• PA Bureau of Family Health• PA Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Programs• PA TASH
Planned by a Cross-Stakeholder Workgroup… (cont’d)
• National Association of State Directors of Special Education
• Parent Education Network• Pennsylvania State University’s Office for
Disability Services• PA Big Brothers Big Sisters• The ARC of Indiana County• George Washington University’s Regional
Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program
Six Strands with Over 84 Sessions…
• Academic Achievement for Success
• Employment
• Post-Secondary Education, Training & Lifelong Learning
• Community Participation
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Pieces of the Transition Puzzle
Outcome & Issue Forums
• Kick off of the Practice Groups
• Foundation for PA Community on Transition State to Local…Local to State Connections– Listserv– Website– Regional Sessions
2005 PA Transition Conference: Number of Participants by Category
1
1
1
2
3
3
3
4
7
8
9
9
12
15
15
16
21
25
29
30
34
39
49
162
210
0 50 100 150 200 250
Medical Assistance Programs
Social Security Administration
Transportation
Public and Private Child Welfare
Business/Employers
Drug and Alcohol Programs
Guidance Counselor
Psychologist
Secondary Education
Career and Technical Education
Independent Living Worker
Juvenile Justice
Parent Support Group/Agency
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Workforce Investment
Family Health
Local Service Provider
Advocate
Parent/Family/Foster Family
Higher Ed
Mental Retardation
Other
Youth/Young Adult
OVR
Special Education
Transition Conference 2004 Attendance by Group
1
1
2
2
2
4
6
6
7
9
10
14
15
15
18
21
21
23
23
35
45
46
65
153
235
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260
Guidance Counselor
Transportation
Business/Employers
Social Security Administration
Foster Care Workers
Psychologists
Local Government Officials
Secondary Education
J uvenile J ustice
Medical Assistance Programs
Career and Technical Education
Family Health
Higher Education
Not Specified/No name
Public & Private Child Welfare
Advocates
Independent Living Workers
Local Service Providers
Workforce Investment
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Mental Retardation
Parent/Family/Foster Family
Youth/Young Adults
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Special Education
Overall Conference Evaluation 2005 to 2004 Comparison
• Overall Conference Evaluation
Excellent 54% (2005) 44% (2004) Very Good 41% (2005) 42% (2004) Good 5% (2005) 11% (2004) Fair 0% (2005) 3% (2004)
• Organization and Flow of Conference
Excellent 60% (2005) 47% (2004) Very Good 28% (2005) 38% (2004) Good 10% (2005) 12% (2005) Fair 2% (2005) 3% (2004)
Overall Conference Evaluation• Quality of Materials and Visual Aids
Excellent 55% (2005) 43% (2004) Very Good 31% (2005) 42% (2004) Good 13% (2005) 12% (2004) Fair 1% (2005) 2% (2004)
• Stated Objectives Met
Excellent 51% (2005) 42% (2004) Very Good 36% (2005) 37% (2004) Good 12% (2005) 16% (2004) Fair 1% (2005) 5% (2004)
Overall Conference Evaluation• Opportunities for Networking
Excellent 61% (2005) 53% (2004) Very Good 27% (2005) 33% (2004) Good 11% (2005) 12% (2004) Fair 1% (2005) 2% (2004)
• Quality of Hotel Service
Excellent 62% (2005) 59% (2004) Very Good 29% (2005) 29% (2004) Good 8% (2005) 10% (2004) Fair 1% (2005) 2% (2004)
What information was of greatest value to you?
• Stories being told • The youth/young adult panel was inspiring and
emphasized that youth must be heard• Information on different agencies and institutions
and some ideas on getting them to work together instead of duplicating services
• Sharing of ideas• I greatly enjoyed the dignitary forum – great
opportunity for OVR, school districts, parents and youth to express concerns and discuss issues – well designed
What information was of greatest value to you?
• Great idea to have the issues forums• Excellent keynote speakers, networking, good
sessions• Able to be refreshed and reenergized to continue • The positive atmosphere, hopeful outlook• Hearing what is going on in other places- getting
ideas on how to improve our program• Handouts were great! Presenters were even
better• Employer perspectives
What specific suggestions do you have to improve the conference?
• Creation of a summary of the transition resources (specific to regions – universal for the entire state) obtained at each conference so that we can provide a resource guide for people all over the state/country who attend next years conference
• Strategies to open communication and placement avenues with employers
What specific suggestions do you have to improve the conference?
• Greater opportunities for problem-solving between professional areas (e.g. secondary teachers and OVR counselors work on a specific case
• Let the youth/young adults conduct a session• Could there be a time when those from the
same county could meet to talk informally?• More personal stories of those with disabilities
What topics and format would you suggest
for future capacity building efforts? • More on how teams can collaborate and work
together (school staff, parents, OCY staff, MH staff, JPO, and all other involved in the transitional youth’s life
• How to empower staff to make connections with government staff and employers who could be used in helping kids to learn skills that will enable them to transition into employment or to attempt to learn future transferable skills and build self esteem
What topics and format would you suggest
for future capacity building efforts?
• More teen/young adult presentations regarding interviewing, employment appropriate behaviors, lifestyles, Stories/lessons that they have from their own experiences
• Let’s do a project together? We could prepare in advance, bring materials. Work on a section as a group and combine for an end result
• Workshops with more students as part of the presentation team
What topics and format would you suggest
for future capacity building efforts? • Sexuality- a session for parents on issues with
our children and discussion- a session for kids on safety and sexual issues and relationships
• Youth leadership – strategies to get youth more involved in local transition efforts; transportation challenges (access & innovative ways to address transportation needs); development of a statewide transition curriculum to promote continuity across communities; need businesses/employers to become stakeholders in transition.
Save the Date!2006 PA Community on Transition Conference
July 19 – 21, 2006