2005 PA Community on Transition Conference Summary July 20 – 22, 2005

Primary Purpose To expand the capacity of community partners in promoting the successful transition of youth/young adults with disabilities to post-school outcomes of employment, post-secondary education and training, community participation and healthy lifestyles. Learn new information about successful practices to assist youth/young adults with disabilities in achieving successful post-school outcomes. Obtain new ideas from other practices, and have the opportunity to listen, share information, and network.

Planned by a Cross-Stakeholder Workgroup… Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities PA Bureau of Special Education PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation PA Bureau of Career & Technology Education PA Bureau of Workforce Development Partnerships PA Office of Mental Retardation PA Office of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services PA Office of Children, Youth & Families PA Office of Medical Assistance Programs PA Bureau of Family Health PA Bureau of Drug & Alcohol Programs PA TASH

Planned by a Cross-Stakeholder Workgroup… (cont’d) National Association of State Directors of Special Education Parent Education Network Pennsylvania State University’s Office for Disability Services PA Big Brothers Big Sisters The ARC of Indiana County George Washington University’s Regional Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program

Six Strands with Over 84 Sessions… Academic Achievement for Success Employment Post-Secondary Education, Training & Lifelong Learning Community Participation Healthy Lifestyles Pieces of the Transition Puzzle

Outcome & Issue Forums Kick off of the Practice Groups Foundation for PA Community on Transition State to Local…Local to State Connections –Listserv –Website –Regional Sessions

Overall Conference Evaluation 2005 to 2004 Comparison Overall Conference Evaluation  Excellent54% (2005)44% (2004)  Very Good41% (2005) 42% (2004)  Good5% (2005) 11% (2004)  Fair0% (2005)3% (2004) Organization and Flow of Conference  Excellent60% (2005)47% (2004)  Very Good28% (2005)38% (2004)  Good10% (2005)12% (2005)  Fair2% (2005)3% (2004)

Overall Conference Evaluation Quality of Materials and Visual Aids  Excellent 55% (2005)43% (2004)  Very Good 31% (2005)42% (2004)  Good 13% (2005)12% (2004)  Fair 1% (2005)2% (2004) Stated Objectives Met  Excellent 51% (2005)42% (2004)  Very Good 36% (2005)37% (2004)  Good 12% (2005)16% (2004)  Fair 1% (2005)5% (2004)

Overall Conference Evaluation Opportunities for Networking  Excellent 61% (2005)53% (2004)  Very Good 27% (2005)33% (2004)  Good 11% (2005)12% (2004)  Fair 1% (2005)2% (2004) Quality of Hotel Service  Excellent 62% (2005)59% (2004)  Very Good 29% (2005)29% (2004)  Good 8% (2005)10% (2004)  Fair 1% (2005)2% (2004)

What information was of greatest value to you? Stories being told The youth/young adult panel was inspiring and emphasized that youth must be heard Information on different agencies and institutions and some ideas on getting them to work together instead of duplicating services Sharing of ideas I greatly enjoyed the dignitary forum – great opportunity for OVR, school districts, parents and youth to express concerns and discuss issues – well designed

What information was of greatest value to you? Great idea to have the issues forums Excellent keynote speakers, networking, good sessions Able to be refreshed and reenergized to continue The positive atmosphere, hopeful outlook Hearing what is going on in other places- getting ideas on how to improve our program Handouts were great! Presenters were even better Employer perspectives

What specific suggestions do you have to improve the conference? Creation of a summary of the transition resources (specific to regions – universal for the entire state) obtained at each conference so that we can provide a resource guide for people all over the state/country who attend next years conference Strategies to open communication and placement avenues with employers

What specific suggestions do you have to improve the conference? Greater opportunities for problem-solving between professional areas (e.g. secondary teachers and OVR counselors work on a specific case Let the youth/young adults conduct a session Could there be a time when those from the same county could meet to talk informally? More personal stories of those with disabilities

What topics and format would you suggest for future capacity building efforts? More on how teams can collaborate and work together (school staff, parents, OCY staff, MH staff, JPO, and all other involved in the transitional youth’s life How to empower staff to make connections with government staff and employers who could be used in helping kids to learn skills that will enable them to transition into employment or to attempt to learn future transferable skills and build self esteem

What topics and format would you suggest for future capacity building efforts? More teen/young adult presentations regarding interviewing, employment appropriate behaviors, lifestyles, Stories/lessons that they have from their own experiences Let’s do a project together? We could prepare in advance, bring materials. Work on a section as a group and combine for an end result Workshops with more students as part of the presentation team

What topics and format would you suggest for future capacity building efforts? Sexuality- a session for parents on issues with our children and discussion- a session for kids on safety and sexual issues and relationships Youth leadership – strategies to get youth more involved in local transition efforts; transportation challenges (access & innovative ways to address transportation needs); development of a statewide transition curriculum to promote continuity across communities; need businesses/employers to become stakeholders in transition.

Save the Date! 2006 PA Community on Transition Conference July 19 – 21, 2006