Guideposts for Success: Innovative Strategies for Serving Youth Curtis Richards Director of the Center for Workforce Development at The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) Laura Spears Transition Specialist - South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department January 22, 2013

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © The Guideposts for Success: A Holistic Transition Framework

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Who are We? Curtis Richards Institute for Educational Leadership U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth  12 th Year 3

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Institute for Educational Leadership Builds the capacity of individuals in education and related fields to work together across policies, programs, and sectors in support of better results for all children and youth, from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary education and work. Three Centers:  Coalition for Community Schools  Leadership Programs (Education Policy Fellowship Program)  Center for Workforce Development

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © DOL’s Office of Disability Employment Policy Develops and influences the use of evidence- based disability employment policies and practices Builds collaborative partnerships Delivers authoritative and credible data on employment of people with disabilities 5

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth Strives to ensure that youth with disabilities are provided full access to high quality services in integrated settings in order to maximize their opportunities for employment and independent living. 3 levels: system (policy), organizational, and front line (youth service professionals)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Our Partners Boston University University of Minnesota, Institute on Community Integration TransCen PACER Center National Association of Workforce Development Professionals Communication Works 7

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Definitions: Transition The period of time when adolescents are moving into adulthood and is often concerned with planning for postsecondary education or careers. In the workforce environment, it usually encompasses ages 14 to 25. 8

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Definitions: Workforce Development System Organizations at the national, state, and local levels that have direct responsibility for planning, allocating resources, providing administrative oversight, and operating programs to assist individuals and employers in obtaining education, training, job placement, and job recruitment (special focus on those involved in preparing youth for work). 9

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Why Does It Matter? Transition is a Tough Time (but fun too!) Lot of Good Activities but no real System Youth service professionals are the people Work experience during high school (paid and unpaid) helps youth with disability get higher paying jobs after graduation

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Why Focus on This Population? Three times as likely to drop out of high school Half as likely to attend or finish college (Those who do finish are more likely to have taken a less rigorous course load) More likely to be unemployed or underemployed Three times as likely to live in poverty as adults Four times as likely to be adjudicated

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Transition and The Work Force Youth who drop out of school are  72% more likely to be unemployed  Earn 27% less than high school graduates (U.S. Department of Labor., 2003) Youth without a high school diploma, are three times more likely to live in poverty (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2001) Every student dropout costs the government over $200,000 in public spending (Gonzales et al., 2002)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © The Guideposts for Success An extensive literature review of research, demonstration projects and effective practices covering a wide range of programs and services--- including lessons from youth development, quality education, and workforce development programs--- has identified core commonalities across the disciplines, programs and institutional settings. The review also points out that no one institution or organization can provide the full range of services; thus, highlighting the interdependence of agencies that requires communities, states, the federal government and multiple organizations at all levels to collaborate with one another in order to help assure quality transitions for all youth.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Grounding Principles The applicable literature suggests that all youth need: Access to high quality standards-based education regardless of the setting; Information about career options and exposure to the world of work; including structured internships; Opportunities to develop social, civic, and leadership skills; Strong connections to caring adults; Access to safe places to interact with their peers; and, Support services and specific accommodations to allow them to become independent adults. 14

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © The Guideposts for Success The five Guideposts are the following: School-based Preparatory Experiences Career Preparation and Work-Based Learning Experiences Career Preparation and Work-Based Learning Experiences Youth Development and Leadership Connecting Activities Family Involvement and Supports (Always divided to two levels)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © School-Based Preparatory Experiences All Youth Need: academic programs that are based on clear state standards; career and technical education programs that are based on professional and industry standards; curricular and program options based on universal design of school, work and community-based learning experiences; learning environments that are small and safe, including extra supports such as tutoring, as necessary; supports from and by highly qualified staff; access to an assessment system that includes multiple measures and, graduation standards that include options.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © School-Based Preparatory Experiences In addition, youth with disabilities need to: use their individual transition plans to drive their personal instruction, and strategies to continue the transition process post-schooling; access specific and individual learning accommodations while they are in school; develop knowledge of reasonable accommodations that they can request and control in educational settings, including assessment accommodations; and be supported by highly qualified transitional support staff that may or may not be school staff.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning All youth need information on career options, including: Career assessments to help identify students’ school and post-school preferences and interests; Structured exposure to post-secondary education and other life-long learning opportunities; Exposure to career opportunities that ultimately lead to a living wage, including information about educational requirements, entry requirements and income potential; and, Training designed to improve job-seeking skills and work-place basic skills (sometimes called soft skills).

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning To identify and attain career goals, all youth need Opportunities to engage in a range of work-based exploration activities such as site visits and job shadowing; Access supports and accommodations for work and community living; and Multiple on-the-job training experiences, including community service (paid or unpaid) that is specifically linked to the content of a program of study and school credit Opportunities to learn and practice their work skills (“soft skills”); and, Opportunities to learn first-hand about specific occupational skills related to a career pathway.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Career Preparation & Work-Based Learning Youth with Disabilities Need to: Understand the relationships between appropriate financial and benefits planning and career choices; Access supports and accommodations for work and community living; and Learn to communicate their support and accommodation needs to prospective employers and service providers. Learn to request, find, and secure appropriate supports and reasonable accommodations at work, at home, and in the community.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Youth Development/Leadership All Youth Need: Mentoring activities designed to establish strong relationships with adults through formal and informal settings; Peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities; Exposure to role models through a variety of means; Training in skills such as self-advocacy and conflict resolution Exposure to personal leadership and youth development activities, including community service; and, Opportunities that allow youth to exercise leadership.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Youth Development/Leadership Youth with Disabilities Need to: Have mentors and role models who include persons with and without disabilities; and, Understand disability history, culture, and disability public policy issues as well as their rights and responsibilities.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Connecting Activities All Youth Need: Mental and physical health services; Transportation; Housing; Tutoring; Post-program supports through structured arrangements in post-secondary institutions and adult serving agencies; and, Connections to other services and/or opportunities (e.g. recreation)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Connecting Activities Youth with Disabilities may also need: Acquisitions of appropriate assistive technologies; Community orientation and mobility training (e.g. accessible transportation, bus routes, housing, health clinics); Exposure to post-program supports such as independent living centers and other consumer-driven community-based support service agencies; Personal assistance services, including attendants, readers, interpreters, or other such services; and Benefits-planning counseling including information regarding the myriad of benefits available and their interrelationships so that they may maximize those benefits in transitioning from public assistance to self-sufficiency.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Family Involvement & Support All youth need parents, families and other caring adults who have: High expectations which build upon the young person’s strengths, interests, and needs and fosters their ability to achieve independence and self-sufficiency; Been involved in their lives and assisting them toward adulthood; Access to information about employment, further education and community resources; Taken an active role in transition planning with schools and community partners; Access to medical, professional and peer support networks.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Family Involvement & Support In addition, youth with disabilities need parents, families and other caring adults who have: An understanding of their youth’s disability and how it affects his or her education, employment and/or daily living options; Knowledge of rights and responsibilities under various disability-related legislation; Knowledge of and access to programs, services, supports and accommodations available for young people with disabilities; and, An understanding of how individualized planning tools can assist youth in achieving transition goals and objectives.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © How to Use the Guideposts: Relationships Networking—Resource Mapping Coordinating—Blending Cooperation—Braiding Collaboration—Sharing

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © How to Use the Guideposts: Program Design (HS/HT) High School/High Tech National Program (Originally funded in: CO, DE, FL, MD, MI, OH, & OK) Based on The Guideposts Focuses on science, technology, engineering, & math skills Includes: exposure to STEM careers and other technology-related professions, college & career planning Dropout rate: <.5% (12/2,840) vs. 28% Post-secondary education: 72% vs. 19%

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © School-Based Preparatory Experiences Program Components: Programs based on standards (state & industry) Qualifications of Teachers & Transition Staff Assessments & Graduation Standards Universal Design for Learning Supporting Learning Environments that are Small and Safe and Include Extra Supports such as Tutoring Individualized Transition Plans

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Career Preparation & Work- Based Learning Experiences Program Components: Career Assessment Structured Exposure to PostSec Educ & other Life-Long Learning Opportunities Exposure to Career Opportunities Developing Work-Readiness Skills Industry Site Visits & Tours Job Shadowing Volunteer Work and Service-Learning Internships Entrepreneurship

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Youth Development & Leadership Program Components: Putting Youth in Control of Their Destiny  Self-determination, informed choice, self-advocacy Supportive Adults  Mentors (group, peer, & e-), role models Opportunities for Personal Growth  Goal setting, conflict resolution Leadership Opportunities  Service learning, peer mentoring, leadership training

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Connecting Activities Program Components: Mental & Physical Health Services Transportation Academic Tutoring Financial Planning Connecting to continuing educ. & the workforce Connecting to other programs & resources Assistive Technology

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Family Involvement & Supports Program Components: High Expectations Access to & Progress in the General Curriculum & Understanding How Dis. Might Impact Educ, Employment & Daily Living Active Role in Transition Planning Info on Programs, Services, Supports, Accommodations, Rights, and Responsibilities

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © How to Use the Guideposts: Evaluate Outcomes Depends on funding source & goals What is focus of funder? (education, juvenile justice, employment, mentoring, foster care) What are your goals? (improve grades, increase attendance, connect to post-secondary, increase career awareness, decrease recidivism, decrease drop outs)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Sample Performance Measures Inputs & Intermediate: # of youth recruited, enrolled, participating # of mentors, volunteers, tutors, employers recruited, enrolled, participating # of meetings, activities, projects, interviews held # of transition, mentoring, employment, goal plans, resumes completed # of youth goals met (completed application, made appointment, visited work site, bank acct)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Sample Performance Measures Outputs & Long term outcomes: Graduation/GED Program completion Increase in academic grades/skills Youth awareness/interest in post-secondary Post-secondary enrollment Youth awareness of careers (pre/post test) Increase in employment readiness skills Employment

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © NCWD/Youth Resources National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for Youth The Guideposts youth.info/resources_&_Publications/guideposts/ youth.info/resources_&_Publications/guideposts/ Professional Development: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities High School/High Tech Program Guide youth.info/hsht/program-guidehttp:// youth.info/hsht/program-guide Office of Disability Employment Policy

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Innovative Strategies Innovative Strategies in the Workforce System: Career Awareness: briefs/using-career-interest-inventories-to-inform-career-planning briefs/using-career-interest-inventories-to-inform-career-planning Work Experience: briefs/engaging-youth-in-work-experiences briefs/engaging-youth-in-work-experiences Career Exploration: briefs/career-exploration-in-action briefs/career-exploration-in-action 38

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department Guideposts for Success and Transition Services

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © How Are We Using the Guideposts? All new transition staff attend Transition 101 which is a basic introductory training to transition services and are introduced to the Guideposts. We have linked our services to the Guidepost categories to ensure students success. (Matrix)

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Case Note Documentation Case notes for transition students will indicate the service provided and which guidepost it relates to. 1.Entry subject indicates which VR service is provided 2.The VR transition program is indicated, could be HS/HT for High School High Tech or another acronym depending on the program / the guidepost category 3.Case Note

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Case Note Example Counseling and Guidance TRN/Preparatory Experience “I met with Linda today and we viewed a video showing what a dental hygienist does. She says she is very interested in this as a career to explore. She agrees to research what the local technical college offers with regards to a dental hygienist program. We will discuss her findings during the next visit.”

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Activities Activities are completed with students to prepare them for work/post secondary training. Here is an example of an activity tracking sheet. Location:Anderson Area Office Activity DescriptionStudents in AttendanceRelated Guidepost July Tour of BMW plant 18 Work Experiences August Community Service Roundtable: Seven local agencies provided information to students regarding available services 12 Connecting service

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Activities (cont.) We use a variety of activities from a variety of curricula such as “Skills to Pay Bills” and “Cultivating True Livelihood”. Activities are documented in Case Notes.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Comments & Questions

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Thank You

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Contact Information Curtis Richards, Director of the Center for Workforce Development The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) Laura Spears, Transition Specialist South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Education Credits CRCC Credit - (2.0 - pending) Pending approval by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) By March 11, 2013, participants must score 80% or better on a online Post Test and submit an online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Southeast TACE Region IV Toll-free: (866) [voice/tty] Fax: (404) Web: TACEsoutheast.org My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Disclaimer This presentation was developed by the Southeast TACE Center: Region IV ©2013 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR (b)].