Partnering with Families: Promoting High Expectations Sean Roy – TransCen Mary jane Williams – Family to Family Network 2017 Texas Transition Conference

TransCen Established 1986 Dedicated to being a transition center to improve employment and education outcomes for youth with disabilities Research, training and technical assistance, and direct service Slide 2: Agenda Session agenda Presenters should state that the workshop topic is postsecondary education for youth with disabilities. Attendees will learn about the different options for education and training after high school, how college differs from high school, and how to use the high school years to prepare students for college success. Blended into all of this is the idea that families play a pivotal role, but a role that is distinctly different than the role families may have played while advocating for their youth during high school.

Family to Family Network Founded in 1988 Providing families of children with disabilities/chronic illnesses with information, referral, training & support as they navigate the complex systems of education, social services, & health care. Texas Project FIRST website Annual Conference Disability Leadership Network of Houston Guided Transition Program Success for Children with Disabilities!

Warren Buffet “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

High Expectations Rooted in Legislation and Policy “Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate or contribute to society.” ADA IDEA WIOA (“competitive, integrated employment”)

Family Involvement Frameworks The Guideposts for Success NASET Standards Kohler’s Taxonomy (1996) U.S. DOE Dual Capacity Framework

Parent Expectations and Outcomes Students with one or more parents who participated in the IEP meetings during 11th and 12th grades were more likely to be engaged in post- school employment Students with parents who had HIGH EXPECTATIONS were more likely to be engaged in postsecondary education and employment www.transitionta.org

Impact of Disability Parents are likely to have strong feelings and questions about how disability will impact their youth’s future. It’s OK to modify hopes and dreams, but it is not OK to stop having hopes and dreams.

Parent Perspective Systems = Labels/Evaluations/No explanations Overwhelmed, Confused, Concerned, Frustrated, Lose Hope, Blame, What do we do? How do we fix it? Disability vs. Life Other families – Support vs Guilt Partners in Policymaking (Disability is OK) Transitions & Feelings

Parental Expectations What are the factors that influence what parents expect for their youth with a disability? What do educators and other professionals do (knowingly or unknowingly) to influence this?

Dual Capacity Consider focused efforts to help increase the capacity of families and professionals to: Hold high expectations Convey high expectations

High Expectations Brief Led by NTACT Parents of youth with disabilities shared their stories and suggestions about maintaining high expectations for youth during transition planning process Put together in draft form

Activity Please consider: Realistic vs. healthy risk The role of choice Putting youth in charge (does not means parents go away)

MJ’s advice Share the positive Youth participation in IEP Meetings Help Youth/Families make connections/build networks Provide training to families & youth Support Decision making/Guardianship & Social Security Work Incentives (how to report) Transition is a Collaborative Process – Ask what families can do to help Remember ALL cultures value independence differently Help families have high expectations Think outside the box!

Contact Sean Roy sroy@transcen.org Mary Jane Williams familytofamily@sbcglobal.net