1. THE ART OF A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION By Donna J. Flanery

2. Components of A Successful Transition  Conversion to Adult Services  Partnering with Professionals  Connecting with Community Supports  Tough Issues Facing Parents

3. Conversion to Adult Services

4. BIGGEST FEARS

5. WHAT ARE A PARENTS BIGGEST FEARS? #1 What will happen to my child when the school bus stops running? #2 If my child goes to work, will the benefits stop?

6. Comparison of Services Childhood Services  Every child is entitled to services  School systems help to coordinate services  Services overlap and intertwine with each other Adult Services  Each service received by an adult must be qualified for ( just because you have a disability, does not mean that you meet the guidelines)  The individual or family must coordinate services  Each service is separate

7. Where do we begin?

8. Getting Started  Have service providers present at the Transition ARD  Determine what services are needed  Who can provide those services ?  How do we apply for those services ?  When can we apply for services and is there a waiting list? How long is the waiting list?

9. Partnering With Professionals

10. Educate Yourself  Attend conferences and workshops  Talk to other parents  Find a support group  Do your homework 1.Research on the internet 2.Read books, articles, blogs 3.Collect Information

11. Learn to be assertive and not aggressive  Attitude is very important  Know what you want but be prepared to compromise  Open communication enables parents and professionals to work effectively together and to achieve the best outcomes

12. POSITIVE RESULTS

13. NEGATIVE RESULTS

14. Networking and Building Relationships  Attend meetings  Become connected  Meet professionals involved with services

15. Two Important Issues When Working With Professionals  Show R-E-S-P-E-C-T  Remember there are boundaries

16. Connecting With Community Supports

17. What are community supports?  Inclusion Activities  Recourses in the Community  Volunteering  Employment Assistance and Supported Employment  Recreational Activities

18. Community Inclusion  Attending a movie  Going bowling  Eating at a restaurant  Attending church  Participating in group meeting/activities

19. Community Resources  Dr. appointments/ Pharmacy pick-up  Shopping( grocery store, Wal-Mart, mall)  Visiting Service Organizations (housing, food stamps, service coordinators)  Job Applications

20. Volunteering  Church  Libraries  Animal Shelters  YMCA  Businesses  Community organizations

21. Employment Assistance and Supported Employment  Employment Assistance is assistance in locating competitive employment in the community  Supported Employment is supporting an individual in paid employment by helping the individual sustain that employment

22. Recreational Activities  Special Olympics  The ARC  YMCA  Support Groups  Church

23. Issues Facing Parents  Guardianship  Transportation  Safety  Living Arrangements  Relationships

24. Guardianship Yes? No? Alternatives

25. Transportation Public Transportation Vs Natural Supports

26. Safety  Safety in the home  Street Safety  Exploitation  Abuse and Neglect

27. Living Arrangements Where will my child live? Who will provide supports for my child? What if my child and I disagree?

28. Relationships Yes, individuals with disabilities do have more than platonic relationships How do you approach the subject? What issues do parents need to take into consideration?

29. QUESTIONS????

30. Contact Information Donna.Flanery@cccmhmr.org d.flanery@dflanery.com www.dflanery.com