1. The Magic of Communication Developing Your Own Site at www.SharedWork.org

2. Presenters Crystal Evans: OVR Counselor, Pittsburgh Janet Mikesell: OVR Counselor, Washington Marci Katona: OVR Supervisor, Pittsburgh Joan Kester: HRD Specialist, GWU Maryann Sutor: OVR Supervisor, Pittsburgh

3. Benefits of accessing Sharedwork.org Overview of how to access the site as a user. Specific directions to create and manage a site as a moderator. Goals for Today’s Presentation

4. Definitions for Today’s Presentation User: Stakeholder that uses Sharedwork.org as a resource and may join a group mailing list on occasion. Group Moderator: Person that develops and maintains a site for a specific purpose within Sharedwork.org. Open Site: Group site that is accessible to everyone that is logged on to Sharedwork.org. Locked Site: Group site that can only be accessed with a password. The site may contain confidential information or the members may be actively working on a project.

5. Brief Overview of the Manuals How to Use SharedWork.org How to Develop Your Own Site at SharedWork.org

6. Why Develop the PA VR Transition Network? To increase consistency in the provision of OVR transition services across Pennsylvania. To provide easy access to OVR resources for VR Counselors in the field with a virtual transition cabinet (The Repository). To post OVR announcements, new or updated information, policies, and forms that pertain to transition. To provide a forum for VR high school counselors to discuss specific issues.

7. Increase Consistency Across OVR in Pennsylvania New information can be shared by all PA OVR transition counselors easily. Each DO can post specific information for their own office. (We can learn from each other!) Counselor can log onto SharedWork.org with any computer that has Internet access.

8. Provide Easy Access to OVR Resources The Repository can be customized to fit the transition counselor’s needs. Examples include: Forms (169, 167, 105) Checklists Letters Informational Handouts for Parents and Students

9. Post New Information What’s New Feature The What’s New Feature at the top of the page publicizes any new or updated information. Examples could include: OVR policy revisions that relate to transition. TCC meeting dates 2007-2008 169 Form Supervising counselor changes

10. Forum for VR Transition Counselors Discussions Feature provides an opportunity for counselors to exchange their opinions and experiences. Example: How is ADHD diagnosed for OVR eligibility? Group E-mail allows members of the group to send information to specific individuals or to the entire group. Example: Several DOs want to develop a teleconference for transition counselors.

11. Accessing the OVR Site Go to: 1. National Community of Practice on Transition 2. Pennsylvania 3. PA VR Transition Network 4. Enter the Password: vocrehab

12. How to Submit Information for the PA VR Transition Site Maryann Sutor is the moderator for the site. You can submit information by: Posting it at the site for review. As the moderator, Maryann will approve your request and make it visible to the public. Send a private e-mail to Maryann at msutor@state.pa.us for submission to the site. msutor@state.pa.us

13. Limitations of the Site No search engine: Research articles or long lists of Internet sites are not appropriate as they will make this site difficult to navigate. The goal is for the transition counselor to have access to the information and forms they need from the field. The OVR application and IPE will not be available at the site since CWDS is coming soon.

14. Your Input Please understand that the viability of this site is dependent upon counselors utilizing it on a regular basis. We welcome your suggestions and especially, your creative input on how to make this site more user friendly.

15. Reminder You must sign up for the group mailing to receive e-mails and be a member of the PA VR Transition site. Your complete e-mail address must be entered in the User name/email address box on the Sign In Page to access the site.

16. Open Discussion

17. Notes