Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Youth-Led, Youth-Driven Webinars on Transition Why we did it, what we did, and what’s next! Sponsored by the IDEA’s Partnership National Community of Practice on Transition May 14, 2014 Get the Picture Get in the Picture Change the Picture

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Introductions Who is with us today? How have you been involved with the transition community of practice?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership SESSION OBJECTIVES Articulate the value and importance in the co- creation of the webinars. Describe development of webinars and organization of content we decided to present. Discuss major themes from the webinars and proposals moving forth.

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

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership YOUR ENGAGEMENT Follow us on Tweet reflections, questions & insights with the #youth4engagement Hashtag Check out the following link for a Twitter E- How: bit.ly/TwitterEHow

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Why did we do it?

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 THE THREE WEBINARS Get the Picture Get in the Picture Change the Picture

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership SERIES OBJECTIVES We collected insights from youth and adult allies from Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Hampshire, Michigan, Arizona, California, and Virginia, so professionals could 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 CORE BELIEFS Relevancy Impact of Personal Stories Social Engagement Visual-Appeal Youth-Driven, Youth-Led Learning Journey for All

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership COLLECTING THE WISDOM

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership BRIDGING THE WISDOM

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

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WEBINAR #1: GET THE PICTURE Our Guiding Pillars Transition Youth Engagement

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WEBINAR #1 GET THE PICTURE

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

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WHO IS INVOLVED IN TRANSITION PLANNING? The Student EducatorsFamilyFriends Support Staff Businesses / Employers Agency Staff Community Does the student feel ‘invited’ or engaged in the process?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WHAT WAS YOUR ROLE IN TRANSITION PLANNING? AdvocateKnowledge-BuildingKnowing Myself

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WHEN SHOULD TRANSITION PLANNING START? 16 years old = is way too late! Transition needs and should be started earlier!

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WHERE DID TRANSITION PREPARATION AND PLANNING TAKE PLACE?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOUTH TO LEAD THEIR TRANSITION PLANNING? Experiences This is what I have learned Present I am here today Future How will I prepare for my future?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership HOW CAN YOUTH BECOME ‘THE DRIVERS’ OF TRANSITION, RATHER THAN ‘THE RECIPIENTS?’ Support but not do for me Help but do not overpower me Encourage but do not forcibly direct me I can Lead!

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership I FEEL ENGAGED IN TRANSITION WHEN…

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WHAT DOES YOUTH ENGAGEMENT LOOK LIKE IN TRANSITION? Decision-MakingImplementation We, as a team, will make the decisions; not just, ‘a few of us’ Do not just provide me options; let’s co-create them We can both ask & answer questions A Daily Experience Discussion

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WEBINAR #2 GET INTO THE PICTURE Our Guiding Pillars A Support Team Knowing Yourself

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WEBINAR #2 GET INTO THE PICTURE

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Knowing Yourself How can you help youth identify their strengths, needs, accommodations and supports?

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 Knowing Yourself How can you help educate and empower youth so that they can communicate with those who support them?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WEBINAR #3 CHANGE THE PICTURE

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership ADULT ALLIES – A CHANGE IN MINDSET The DriversThe SupportersI Teach You We Learn Together “I will just do it.” “You can do it. I am here to help!”

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership ADULT ALLIES – BELIEFS Confidence in Youth Sharing the Power We All Have Unique Talents and Strengths Every Opinion Counts!

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership PARTNERSHIPS A young person should see an adult ally as a person who “always has their back”, but also knows when to “back off” so that the young person believes they can do anything!

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership ADULT ALLIES – CHARACTERISTICS Asks Probing Questions Open Opportunities for Youth to Fully Express Themselves Shares Genuine Interest & Values Young People

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership QUESTIONS YOUNG PEOPLE MAY ASK THEMSELVES Are my ideas really considered? When I speak, the meeting ‘stops.’ I feel ‘yessed at,’ and then the meeting continues on. They tell me I need to be a self- advocate, but how can I be one, when I am given no power?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership SEEING THE BIG PICTURE

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership THE DOOR OF OPPORTUNITY

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership ADULT ALLIES – A CHANGE IN MINDSET How can we collectively change the mindset of adult allies from “service providers” to partners to more fully engage youth?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership REFLECTION ON WEBINARS Three “ah-ha!” Moments Two Surprises One Challenge

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership YOUR VOICE What’s Next?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WHERE CAN I GET THESE RESOURCES?! bit.ly/YouthWebinars2014

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) Joanne Cashman (VA) Maria Peak (MI) Reema Alabdulwahab (CO) Matthew Shapiro (VA)

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Christopher Coulston – Clement Coulston – Christopher Nace – Everett Deibler – Matthew Shapiro – Joan Kester – Mariola Rosser – CONTACT US

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership IDEA PARTNERSHIP Visit the Website: Call toll free line at: IDEA INFO The IDEA Partnership is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and is part of the Technical Assistance and Dissemination network