Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Second of Three Youth Webinars on Transition sponsored by the IDEA’s Partnership National CoP on Transition March Get in the Picture Youth-Led, Youth-Driven Webinars on Transition

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership EVERETT DEIBLER LEHIGH VALLEY CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership OBJECTIVES Through the personal stories and insights of youth from Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Michigan, webinar participants will learn about: The youth experience and role in transition The power of authentic youth engagement, self-determination and leadership in transition Ideas for how to best support youth in the transition process

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership YOUR ENGAGEMENT During the Webinar, we encourage all to: ReflectConnectShare

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership CHRIS NACE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership ORIGINS Christopher Coulston (DE), Emma Kemler (VA), Chris Nace (DC), Rachael Fiel (VA), Everett Deibler (PA) Youth from PA, VA, DE and DC came together to present on transition at the 2013 Pennsylvania Community on Transition Conference. The youth were motivated to continue to spread the conversation on youth leadership and authentic engagement to professionals and youth throughout the country.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership SETTING THE FOUNDATION Our Guiding Pillars Transition Youth Engagement A Support Team Knowing Yourself

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership SETTING THE FOUNDATION Our Guiding Pillars Transition Youth Engagement A Support Team

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership IDEA 2004 SAYS THE IEP TEAM MUST INCLUDE… The child “when appropriate” The Parents At least one regular education teacher At least one special education teacher Representative of the school district Someone to interpret assessments Others with expertise about the child

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Guiding questions: How did your school team (teachers, therapists, families) support you in transition? What feelings and behaviors did they express? How could the team better support you in transition? What was the most positive experience in working with the school team? What was the most challenging experience in working with the school team? A Support Team A connected group of individuals who empowers the young person, by providing support but not taking charge. A shift from being ‘adult-led’ to ‘youth-led’ to provide opportunities for learning, social & personal growth.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership A Support Team How did your school team (teachers, therapists, families) support you in transition? What feelings and behaviors did they express? AUDIO:

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership ALYSSAREESE

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership KEY MESSAGES Feelings: Have unconditional regard for the youth, their needs and their goals Support youth self- advocacy efforts Behaviors: Provide documentation of future goals and steps to reach them Encourage youth to take classes in their areas of academic interest Teach life skills Impart life lessons Support teams are successful when they express the following…

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership AUDIO: A Support Team How could the team better support you in transition?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership RACHELREESE

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership CHRIS

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership KEY MESSAGES Ways to overcome barriers that keep youth from feeling supported: Provide opportunities for youth involvement at IEP meetings Listen to youth when they express themselves Use clear language that everyone can understand Avoid personal judgments when evaluating the youth’s goals

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership AUDIO: A Support Team What was the most positive experience in working with school teams?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership REESE ALI

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership KEY MESSAGES Examples of effective practices for the support team: Phase I Phase II Exhibit model leadership roles Provide shared leadership opportunities for youth Trust youth to make decisions independently Allow youth to lead in executing transition plan

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership AUDIO: A Support Team What was the most challenging experience in working with school teams?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership CHRISALI RACHEL

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership KEY MESSAGES Working with a large group of people with different roles and opinions can be overwhelming Ways to overcome this: All team members prioritize the youth’s needs and goals The youth’s voice is listened to Others do not do things for the youth, but rather others do things with the youth Remember that the most influential people do not always voice the most beneficial opinions for the youth

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership EVERETT DEIBLER

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership SETTING THE FOUNDATION Our Guiding Pillars Transition Youth Engagement A Support Team Knowing Yourself

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Guiding questions: How did you identify your strengths, needs, accommodations and supports? Why is it important to know yourself? How do you help educate others so that they can best support you? Knowing Yourself Stating your strengths and talents. The knowledge of how you best learn and share, so you can experience success.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership AUDIO: Knowing Yourself How did you identify your strengths, needs, accommodations and supports?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership CHRIS REESE

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership KEY MESSAGES Useful strategy to identify strengths, needs, accommodations and goals: Things to keep in mind: Personal experiences are one of the best sources of information on yourself Don’t overlook subtleties Accommodations are designed to address needs—no irrelevant or overbearing measures!

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership AUDIO: Knowing Yourself Why is it important to know yourself?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership RACHEL REESE GABE

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership KEY MESSAGES Self-awareness equips youth with the skills to… Articulate strengths and weaknesses for themselves Defend their opinions, needs and goals Make decisions on their own Cope with challenging situations

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership AUDIO: Knowing Yourself How do educate others so that they can best support you?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership CHRIS REESE GABE

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership KEY MESSAGES Ways youth can help others to best support them: Disclose information about their disability Honestly express their needs and goals Inform adults about the power of self-advocacy and self- determination in transition

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership PREVIEW TO NEXT WEBINARS Webinar 3, Change the Picture, will be an invitation for participants to meet the youth and discuss how to continue to improve the transition process and provide more opportunities for youth voice.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership THANK YOU TO THE WEBINAR PLANNING TEAM Everett Deibler (PA) Emma Kemler (VA) Christopher Coulston (DE) Clem Coulston (DE) Chris Nace (DC) Rachael Fiel (VA) Joan Kester (PA) Mariola Rosser (MD) Maria Peak (MI) Reema Alabdulwahab (CO)