Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Change the Picture Youth-Led, Youth-Driven Webinars on Transition 3 rd Youth Webinar on Transition Sponsored by the IDEA’s Partnership National Community of Practice on Transition April 29 th 2014

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership OBJECTIVES Through the personal stories and insights of youth and adult allies from Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Hampshire, Michigan, Arizona, and California, and Virginia, 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 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 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 WEBINAR #1 GET THE PICTURE

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 WHERE CAN I GET THESE RESOURCES?! bit.ly/YouthWebinars2014

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

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 HOW HAVE YOUTH SUPPORTED ADULT ALLIES GROWTH? I have learned…Kept me honest… Shared with me new perspectives Challenged me to consider innovative solutions

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership YOUTH LEADERS HAVE PROBABLY TAUGHT ME MORE THAN ADULT LEADERS! Youth leaders are more open to learning and engaging in new activities. In my experience, youth leaders more readily take their missteps in stride and also celebrate their successes more often. I am reminded how important it is to be flexible, keep a sense of humor and celebrate more often!

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 How have adult allies helped you in the transition process?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Alyssa Cowin with Gov. Jack Markell Delaware Department of Health and Social Services – Operation Support Specialist

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership My adults are my parents, friends, and co-workers who I work with now at DHSS. When I need help I can go to my adults allies. They help me with problems. They also believe in me.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Reese Eskridge University of Delaware, Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Chris Coulston with Kathie Herel Concord High School, Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Chris Coulston with Dale Matusevich Concord High School, Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership HOW HAVE ADULT ALLIES HELPED YOU IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership SHARING THE POWER You have 3 options… We’ve identified what is best for you. Let’s co-create the options together!

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 What has been most challenging in working with adults?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Alyssa Cowin Delaware Department of Health and Social Services – Operation Support Specialist

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership The biggest challenge in working with adults allies is that some people can't understand what I'm saying.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Reese Eskridge University of Delaware, Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Chris Coulston Concord High School, Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership WHAT HAS BEEN MOST CHALLENGING IN WORKING WITH ADULTS?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership COMMUNICATION We tend to ‘direct’ much communication, with just some being understood. Thus, it is imperative to co-create communication norms.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership COMMUNICATION NORMS In ActionComponents Communication Norms Non-Verbal Whole-Body Listening Participation in Meetings VerbalWord Choice Equitable Conversations Tone “Any Questions?” How do we best learn & share with one another?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership In which ways can adult allies best support you, so you feel comfortable engaging with them?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Alyssa Cowin Delaware Department of Health and Social Services – Operation Support Specialist

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership When adults are friendly to me, they make make feel comfortable to ask questions.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Reese Eskridge University of Delaware, Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Chris Coulston with Joanne Cashman Concord High School, Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership IN WHICH WAYS CAN ADULT ALLIES BEST SUPPORT YOU, SO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE ENGAGING WITH THEM? Do we co-invest in the time we have now, or do we push through, then wonder where the time has gone?

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 How can adult allies empower you, as you take charge of your life?

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Alyssa Cowin with Secretary Rita Landgraf Delaware Department of Health and Social Services – Operation Support Specialist

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Adults allies can empower me by help me.

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Chris Coulston with Jonathan Mooney Concord High School, Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership HOW CAN ADULT ALLIES EMPOWER YOU, AS YOU TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE? Power Hierarchies

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 Everett Deibler Lehigh Valley Center For Independent Living

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 Clement Coulston Special Olympics Project UNIFY® & Student

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Chris Coulston Concord High

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

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership ADDITIONAL RESOURCES bit.ly/NYLNAdultAllies

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 Abdulaziz AlMutairi Kuwait

Leading by Convening: A Blueprint for Authentic Engagement (c) 2014 IDEA Partnership Abdullah Al-Hindi Kuwait