How to Create the Ultimate Transition Dream Team

Presenters: Nancy Nimmo M.Ed.

Director of Special Needs Initiative

Deborah Yorko M.Ed.Special Education Coordinator

Define the concepts of an interagency team ◦ Collaboration◦ Interagency◦ Team

Guidelines for developing an interagency collaborative team◦ Forming

Choosing stakeholders◦ Storming

Brainstorming local strengths and weaknesses◦ Norming

Developing shared team purpose Design action plans

◦ Performing Implementation

Goals & Objectives

A relationship that includes communication of mutual goals

Shared roles and responsibilitiesCollective authority and accountability for success

Sharing of resources and rewards

Collaboration

Defined group of individuals representing multiple and diverse agencies who come together and commit themselves to teaching, learning and working with each other across traditional organizational boundaries to better serve students with disabilities.

Interangency

Clearly defined team roles Unified direction Effective working relationships Collaborative commitment Safe supportive environment Results driven Competent members External supports Strong leadership

Team

Four Stages◦Forming◦Storming◦Norming◦Performing

Guidelines for Team Formation

Forming◦ Initiate a team◦ Define needs to be addressed◦ Who will the team impact◦ Geographical area the team will impact◦ Define stakeholders to serve◦ One brainstorming meeting◦ One follow up meeting◦ Confirmed team membership

Stage One

Storming◦ Develop beliefs & values◦ Develop mission statement◦ Conduct needs assessment in community◦ Redefine target needs◦ Cultivate team goals◦ Written description of membership roles◦ Determine meeting schedule◦ Develop action plan◦ Address communication skills and conflict

resolution skills

Stage Two

Norming◦ Systematically implementing and revising the

action plan◦ Focus on outcomes◦ Revise policy and procedures as needed◦ Ongoing evaluation of team effectiveness

Stage Three

Performing◦ Continually ask “are we serving our purpose?” ◦ Make changes accordingly◦ Don’t be afraid to expand your efforts

Stage Four

Develop an agenda Ask for agenda additions Set time limits Take meeting minutes Follow meeting ground rules Make sure action was followed Use appropriate communication skills Follow agreed upon format Schedule next meeting

Checklist of Meeting Effectiveness

Medina Special Students Transition Action Team (MSSTAT) Established in 2003 Current Members

◦ Transition Specialists◦ Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services◦ Goodwill Industries◦ Windfall Industries◦ Medina Creative Housing◦ Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities◦ Ford Dealership◦ Parents of students with special needs◦ Special Education Directors◦ Special Education Coordinator◦ Licensed Social Worker

What a real team looks like….

MSSTAT Website

Rusch,F.R., Chadsey J.G. 1998. Beyond High School Transition from School to Work, Wadsworth Publishing Co. Boston.

Kent State University Medina Special Students Transition Action

Team www.medina-esc.org

Resources

Questions?