A Model Approach to Networking Professionals in Your State Cindy Camp Jacksonville State University, AL Marcia Kolvitz Postsecondary Education Consortium, TN

The Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet) Funded through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Postsecondary Education Consortium Jacksonville State University University of Arkansas at Little Rock St. Petersburg College Georgia Perimeter College Eastern Kentucky University Louisiana State University A&M Hinds Community College Tulsa Community College Central Piedmont Community College North Harris College Greenville Technical College New River Community College The University of Tennessee

SERID 2000 in Atlanta Falling Between the Cracks: What Happens When College Isn’t an Option? The goal was to address the following issues: What are some of the options and opportunities for young deaf adults who aren’t college-bound? What types of referrals do college staff members make for students who are not successful in college courses? How do you determine when a student just needs additional accommodations to be successful and when he/she just isn't making it in a college setting?

Region-wide Meetings: Benefits and Liabilities What worked well: Post-conference format Mix of participants Flexibility about topics/discussion Link to others with similar concerns What was an issue: Limited size of group New participants; returning participants Need for continuity Uncertainty about ultimate purpose/goal

Region-wide Meetings: Years 2 – 4 and Beyond Year 2 Finding a purpose and direction Year 3 Sharing successful ideas and practices Year 4 Feedback regarding national service delivery plan

What happened next? Falling Between the Cracks: State Workshops Alabama8 Georgia2 Louisiana1 Mississippi2 North Carolina1 Oklahoma2 South Carolina1 Texas1 Tennessee1 West Virginia1 Region wide 4

One size DOESN’T fit all! Alabama has an open meeting twice a year. Georgia invites only those with a hearing loss. Oklahoma attaches their meeting to another statewide conference. What is right for you???

Who is your audience? by invitation only open to the public limited number of participants Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing ….?

How will you Accommodate? When you have a mixed audience accommodations are very important! Interpreting Captioning ALDs

Where will it be held? At the hosting institution At a state agency College campus On neutral ground At a central location in the state

Who will moderate? a staff member State VIP out of state person Deaf / Hearing

How is it funded? Participants pay a small registration fee Hosting organization foots the bill State stakeholders contribute

What’s the bait? Networking opportunities CEUs Free goodies / informational resources Free food

What’s the agenda? Brainstorming Informational presentation Open forum Announcements

Sample Agenda Gripe Session list the major problems facing young D/HH adults Dream Big Brainstorm solutions to the problems as if you had no limits. Get a Grip Look at your big dreams and then look at practical ways to get started.

Fill in the Gaps Start with introductions After lunch is a good time to discuss upcoming workshops and advertise resources. End on a positive note. Plan for the next meeting Set goals and ask participants to follow-up

What about the meeting itself? Now that you have your group together what do you do with them? Here are some ideas for conducting your meeting.

What do you hope to accomplish? Statewide network Problem solving strategies Problem identification Workshop Opportunities Information dissemination Project work groups

What were the major concerns? What is there after high school? Lack of resources in rural areas Lack of transition services Lack of communication among professionals Lack of training for professionals, not in deaf services, about deafness Low reading comprehension in D/HH students

Where do we go from here? Let the group decide: Do we meet again? How often? Where? What are our goals Finish the meeting by scheduling the next one. People like closure.

What can be done? Group Listservs Provide information on VR services Disseminate informational materials Directory of services Statewide National

Development of online Resources Deaf Culture Communication methods Local, Regional, National resources Tips for overcoming job placement barriers Working with an interpreter SSI information Etc.

Do I really want to do this??!! Putting together this type meeting does take work but it is well worth it! Just remember that you can’t change the world in one day but you can start the ball rolling.