1. Partnering with Families in the Transition Process
Sean Roy – PACER
Mary Jane Williams – Family to Family Network
2016 Texas Transition Conference

2. Learning Objectives IDEA and common frameworks Common barriers
Activity
Transition messaging
Effectively communicating transition objectives
The local perspective

3. IDEA and Parent Participation
Rights in the IEP process
Members of State Advisory Panel
State/Local Performance Plan – joint training with parents
Parent counseling and training – related service
Monitoring includes parent input
Parent Training and Information Centers

4. Family Involvement Frameworks
The Guideposts for Success
NASET Standards
Kohler’s Taxonomy (1996)
U.S. DOE Dual Capacity Framework

5. Parent Expectations and Outcomes
Students with one or more parents who participated in the IEP meetings during 11th and 12th grades were more likely to be engaged in post-school employment
Students with parents who had HIGH EXPECTATIONS were more likely to be engaged in postsecondary education and employment

6. Common Barriers Poor communication about reason and process
Parents on team, but don’t know
- language
- rules
- options
Conflicting goals (what does school need to do vs. parents expectations)

7. Mistakes Made Lack of trust (me vs. you)
Not allowing youth to be involved
Families not acknowledging challenges (List 5 things your youth can’t do that a youth his age should be able to do)
Professionals coming in with assumptions
Others?

8. Challenges Facing Both Sides
Time, Time, Time
Requirements and expectations outpacing school resources
Expectations and goals outpacing community resources
Others?

9. Activity
What information would parents need to have to be effective partners in transition?
What are some strategies to provide them with needed information?
How can you reinforce engagement and help families maintain motivation to stay involved?

10. Message to Families: The Process
Parents & Youth need to be involved
Assessments drive the process
Don’t assume school is addressing areas you are concerned about
Staying past 4 years is based on student need
Families often coordinator of adult services
Communication is the key
Texas is one diploma state – everyone gets a diploma whether they graduate in 4 years with honors, by IEP or age out. Academic achievement record (Transcript) records coursework.

11. Message to Families: Employment
Know what employers want
Work skills
Soft skills
Work on building skills at home
Work experiences a must
PSE now the path to economic self-sufficiency
Voc Rehab (better known as DARS in Texas) – Parents must assist youth with registering for services. DARS has Eligibility requirements
Based on Student preference or interest
Impact on Social Security – No one talks about this so parents opt their children out of employment despite schools best effort to get kids working. Parents need to learn about social security work incentives.

12. Message to Families: Postsecondary Education
Must be considered if possible
Opportunities are expanding
PSE differs greatly from high school
The role of family changes too
Understand entrance and placement tests
Speak to DSS office early
If possible - I hate to see “if possible” because too many families will say it isn’t because they haven’t thought about it and don’t realize the opportunities are expanding.
Parents need to save for college!!  It is not free….

13. Message to Families: Independent Living
Housing needs to be part of plan
As does transportation
Social/recreation often missed
Health management
Begin exploring options early
Use youth’s own goals as your starting point
SELF ADVOCACY skills often not addressed especially in area of safety….
Parents need to think about what youth need to know to live outside of parents home. Too often everyone at the IEP meeting just states – they will live with me….and focus is too much on ADLs instead of ensuring good communication system or behavior is under control before graduation.
Almost need to call it “Interdependent” living as many young people could live independently with support.

14. Family to Family Network
Services at no cost for families
Birth to 21+
Full range of disabilities or special heath care needs
Inform, educate and collaborate

15. One Perspective

16. Another Perspective

17. Diverse views on transition
History
Tradition
Culture
Race
Ethnicity
Identity
Who do you serve?
How do you engage Texas families in transition?

18. Statewide Transition Initiatives
Texas Transition & Employment Guide
Transition in Texas Website
LEA Transition/Employment Designee
Region 13 Videos with Texas Parent to Parent
Texas Transition & Employment Guide for Youth & Families
Transition in Texas Website –
Local Education Agencies – Each school district must have a designated person who will be the contact for families
Region 13 created some great videos on Transition in collaboration with Texas Parent To Parent covering a lot of topics around transition (waivers, ssi, etc)
Region 9 – Parent Survey –Transition information
DADS Guide to Employment for those individuals in SSLC, ICF facilities, or who receive one of the various Medicaid waivers. & Employment FIRST Task force for state
TX Council for Developmental Disabilities – Virtual job Coach Project, Techworks for Texas (Project SEARCH), HEART Technology Project, Project CASE, Bridge to Career (PATHS), Project HIRE
Hogg Foundation Transition Age Youth and their Families (TAYF) to address the transition of youth with mental health needs in the Houston Harris County area who often are left out of the process – Disability Rights is one of the grantees who developed the “Your Rights, Your Voice Guide for Youth with Mental Health concerns Transitioning to Adulthood.”

19. DADS Guide to Employment for People with Disabilities TCDD Projects
Hogg Foundation – TAYF Initiatives
Institute for Person Centered Practices

20. Family to Family Guided transition program
Special Ed & Transition Conference

21. Resources

22. Contact Information
Sean Roy
Mary Jane Williams