Statewide Community Transition Councils Directory - IIDC · Statewide Community Transition Councils Directory . ... Linda Sturtevant . ... includes the county (or counties)

Statewide Community Transition Councils Directory

Developed by:

Center on Community Living and Careers

Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Indiana’s University Center for Excellence

Indiana University

Project Funded by:

Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division of Disability, Aging, and Rehabilitative Services

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration This material was produced with support from Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. The information presented herein does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of Vocational Rehabilitation Services or Indiana University, Bloomington and no official endorsement should be inferred. The Center on Community Living and Careers is one of seven centers located at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University, Bloomington. The work of the Indiana Institute encompasses the entire life span, from birth through older adulthood, and addresses topical areas that include:

• Early intervention • School improvement and inclusion • Transition, employment, and careers • Aging • Autism spectrum disorders • Disability information and referral • Technology • Planning and policy studies • Individual and family perspectives

The Indiana Institute on Community and Disability pursues its mission with support from Indiana University and funding from federal and state agencies, and foundations. The mission of the Center on Community Living and Careers is to partner with people with disabilities, their families, and their communities to affect systems and organizational change through training, technical assistance, research, and by promoting advocacy.

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The Center focuses on improving transition and adult services by supporting person-directed planning, career development, community living, home ownership, and community membership.

Design and Layout by: Sheryl J. Rader and Leah D. Fulkerson

These materials are available in alternative formats upon request.

Acknowledgements We would like to express appreciation to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services staff throughout Indiana who have worked collaboratively with us on this project as well as with all the school systems to enhance transition outcomes. We also would like to thank the numerous school districts and transition councils who continue to pursue excellence in serving youth with disabilities as they transition to adult life. The following individuals were gracious in giving their time and feedback in developing this publication:

Kevin Blevins Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Nancy Carender Huntington North High School

Bill Court South Bend Community School Corporation

Teresa DeMauro Elkhart WorkOne

Michele Engle New Albany-Floyd County

Consolidated School Corporation

Lynn Gosser Grant County Special Education Cooperative

Brad Green Michiana Resources, Inc.

Peggy Hege Greater Lafayette Area Special Services

Amy Hobbs North Central Indiana

Special Education Cooperative

Barbara Horvath Monroe County

Community School Corporation

Jodi Isaacs Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Emily Judge Twin Lakes High School

Patricia Kem Cooperative School Services

Ray Lewis South Central Area

Special Education Cooperative

Bruce McKay Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Tondelia McVea LCAR, Inc.

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Anita Murray Anderson Community School Corporation

Shirley Olwine Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Cindy O’Neal New Albany-Floyd County

Consolidated School Corporation

Terry Oprinovich Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Dixie Patterson Indiana Institute on

Disability and Community

Joyce Peters Hamilton-Boone-Madison

Special Services Cooperative

Gail Pfaffenberger Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Andy Rosenberger East Central Special Services

Larry Schaaf Indiana Institute on

Disability and Community

Barbara Stevens Muncie Community Schools

Pat Stewart ATTIC

Linda Sturtevant Covered Bridge Special Education District

Preface Many community transition councils or interagency teams have been operating in Indiana since the early 1990s. Through the councils, transition stakeholders have collaboratively developed strategies and activities ensuring transition is prepared for, planned for, and adequately addressed with students exiting high school. Councils have taken the lead in promoting referrals to adult services and connecting students to communities which facilitate a smoother transition from high school to adult life. Many councils credit these efforts with increasing the number of students who are connecting with adult services and post-secondary education institutions when exiting high school.

When creating councils, various techniques have been used to establish membership and develop goals. As noted in this publication, techniques have included the following:

• Selecting key community members for council membership

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• Establishing goals for upcoming academic year at annual planning meeting

• Identifying representatives from the community who are not in disability field

• Surveying community and transition stakeholders to determine local transition needs.

Transition Tips

When establishing a transition council. . .

• Spend time building relationships.

• Inform all key players of the council’s work.

• Identify one person to coordinate the council.

• Ensure that all members understand that time spent on activities is valued, meaningful, and appreciated.

• Set agenda for meetings and keep agendas short.

• Establish a meeting calendar a semester or year in advance.

• Celebrate your work!

Barbara Horvath Monroe/Owen County Transition Council

While many councils flourish in their initial year(s) of development, many struggle to maintain active membership over time. As discussed in the following summaries, councils face many challenges ranging from difficulty establishing membership to maintaining a feeling of accomplishment when activities do not meet members’ expectations. Various strategies have been used to confront these challenges and maintain councils. Examples include:

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• Evaluating goals and activities on a scheduled basis

• Holding meetings at convenient times and locations

• Rotating meeting locations within the community

• Celebrating successes

Transition Tips

Motivate members by. . .

• Keeping meeting agendas purposeful and using members’ suggestions for topics, speakers, etc.

• Communicating successes to members at each meeting.

• Following up and implementing members’ ideas will keep everyone energized and feeling productive.

Linda Sturtevant

School-to-Work Advisory Council This directory’s primary purpose is to distribute councils’ information across the state and be a catalyst for creative ideas that will enhance other councils. It is hoped this directory’s information will encourage councils to:

• Learn from each other • Share information • Strengthen their transition networks • Recognize the successful outcomes of activities • Raise their levels of performance.

Each council voluntarily provided its information for this publication. While attempts were made to locate all councils in Indiana, this is not a comprehensive list of all transition councils. Each council is listed in alphabetical order. Information provided in the summary includes the county (or counties) served by the council; its mission; successful operating strategies resulting from beneficial policies and procedures; major activities of the council; challenges or barriers confronting the council; community agencies represented is a listing of community stakeholders on the council; the special education planning district(s) involved is the district being served by the council; school corporation(s) involved is the corporation(s) on the council which receive services from the council; Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) involved provides the area office and its supervisor that is involved and/or serving the counties included on the council; and, finally, a contact person for the council who may be reached for further information.

What Makes Community Transition Councils Work? The transition from high school to adult life is a complex process that requires planning and coordination to ensure appropriate supports and positive outcomes. Often students and their families become overwhelmed and confused as they leave the world of school entitlement and enter the maze of adult services based on eligibility. The importance of collaboration among the many levels of the transition process has been will documented (Benz, Lindstrom, & Halpern 1995; Everson & Guillory, 1998; Halpern, Benz, & Lindstrom, 1992; Kohler, 1993; Wehman, 2001). Collaboration occurs at four levels:

Student level, where the focus of the council is the student and his or her vision for the future;

School level, where general, vocational and special education services and programs are provided in a unified approach;

Community level, where agencies address community needs that impact individual students to enhance the transition process; and

State level, where policy and procedure issues are addressed that impact local service provisions.

Assisting youth with disabilities to successfully navigate the adult services maze for a seamless transition requires a partnership and a shared responsibility among a variety of key stakeholders. Although only one of the key stakeholders, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, is legislatively mandated to serve transition-age youth, all stakeholders play a vital role in developing innovative and effective strategies to enhance transition. Everson & Guillory (1998) describe the elements necessary to build statewide transition services using collaborative interagency councils. Effective councils produce desired outcomes for students as they leave school. One of the main factors influencing effective councils is the performance capability that enables the council to maintain itself over time (Sundstrom, DeMeuse, & Futrell, 1990).

Community Transition Councils

Since 1991, a number of states have received federal funds through the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) to support Transition Systems Change Grants. One of the primary goals of these projects was to improve relationships among all who are or should be involved in the transition planning process to provide coordinated and comprehensive transition services (NTA, 1997). Many states developed community transition councils to promote such collaboration. Community transition councils are typically comprised of representatives from local or regional high schools, state funding agencies, local service provider agencies, students, parents, employers, and other advocates.

Now that the System Change Grants are over, the question remains: What is the sustainability of these efforts, specifically around the local or community transition councils? In Ohio, the question was addressed by asking each of the council leaders to identify factors that influenced the maintenance or lack of maintenance of their councils.

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Throughout the five years, a variety of training and technical assistance was provided to over 134 school or community councils in order to build capacity and promote interagency collaboration and effective transition services.

Survey of Community Transition Council Leaders

One hundred and thirty-four (134) council leaders were asked to respond to a number of survey questions. For the purpose of this article, four major questions will be addressed: the type of council, frequency of the meetings, factors that influenced the council to continue to meet, and purpose of the councils. The 83% who responded indicated that only 29% (39) of the councils still had a council in place 1 year after the Systems Change grant.

The type of councils that continued to meet is shown in Table 1. Of those councils still meeting, 41% met on an as needed basis, with all the county and/or community councils meeting monthly. Based on a rating scale of 1 to 5 indicating very important, a number of factors influenced the councils to continue to meet. Table 2 shows the top factors that influenced the councils to continue to meet. Seventy-seven percent (77%) believed that their council had a unique structure. Such structures included a large number of parent members, use of co-chairs, use of a parent as one of the co-chairs, and the use of subcommittees for specific work. Having a council leader or council coordinator was most frequently cited as the primary factor in keeping a council active.

Table 1:

Type of Council

County/Community Based 41% District Based 31% School Based 28%

Table 2:

Factors Influencing Councils to Meet

Person identified to lead council 82% Person identified to coordinate 79% council Unique structure of council 77% Administrative support 64% Council activities required by 64% job duties

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The councils indicated their main focus was to improve the involvement of students and families in transition planning, as well as develop specialized training or activities. Table 3 shows the type of activities the councils participated in as a group.

Table 3:

Type of Activities

Training student/family 74% Training school staff 67% One-to-one support/information 64% sharing Conduct information event 64% Training agency staff 15%

Over 83% of the councils believed their work impacted students in the IEP process. This brief summary suggests a few areas to consider to support interagency council efforts and sustain groups over time. A well-defined focus or goals are more likely to sustain the council over time. If the goals and activities are well-defined, it is more likely that the council will meet with some regularity.

• A person needs to be identified who will be responsible for serving as the council chair by coordinating, organizing, and leading the council. Although these activities can be shared, the group needs to know the one person to call for guidance or questions. Additionally, other roles need to be defined and assigned.

• School and adult agency administrators may want to consider serving on community

transition councils as part of the job responsibilities of those involved, rather than as an “add-on.” Council members may view their role as more valued with such support.

In addition, the way the council operates is critical to sustaining the group over time. Questions need to be addressed in order to sustain the council. Examples of questions include the following: Are ground rules established? When is the agenda developed? When can members expect the minutes and other meeting details? How will decisions be made? How will conflict be managed? How will the council monitor and evaluate their progress? While preparing for and addressing these questions does not ensure the longevity of the council, it is the first step in organizing the council, gaining members’ commitments, and establishing long-term goals.

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References Benz, M.R., Lindstom, L.E., & Halpern, A. (1995). Mobilizing local communities to improve transition services. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 18, 21-32. Everson, J.M., & Guillory, J.D. (1998). Building statewide transition services through collaborative interagency council work. In F. R. Rusch and J. G. Chadsey (Eds.), Beyond high school: Transition from school to work. Wadsworth Publishing Co. Halpern, A., Lindstrom, L.E., Benz, M.R., & Nelson, D. (1991). Council leader’s manual. Community transition council model. Eugene: University of Oregon. Sundstrom, E., DeMeuse, K.P., & Futrell, P. (1990). Work councils: Applications and effectiveness. American Psychologist, 45, 120-133. Wehman, P. (2001). Life beyond the classroom: Transition strategies for young people with

disabilities. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

Adapted from: Grossi, T. (2002). What keeps the community interagency transition teams working? The Advance, 12(4), 11-12.

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Anderson Area Community Transition Council Madison County

Mission

The mission of the Anderson Area Community Transition Council is to promote transition linkages to appropriate community agencies for transition-age students in Anderson Community Schools. The council’s efforts to develop and implement activities for students and parents, enhance opportunities for community agency representatives to keep abreast of current trends and policies within the various community agencies.

Successful Operating Strategies

Meeting flexibility

Meeting schedule flexibility has been an essential component of the council’s success. Council members realize their time and contributions are respected and only requested when necessary. The council schedules meetings on an as needed basis. For example, when working on a specific project, monthly meetings may be required. After projects are completed, the council does not meet regularly.

Strong relationships

Developing relationships between the school staff and agency representatives has been the foundation of this council. The school staff’s development of contacts within the agencies has strengthened the transition of students from high school to the adult community.

Major Activities

Teacher in-service

In 2001, a 90 minute in-service was offered to teachers to learn new and pertinent information relating to transition services. The goal was to provide information to teachers who could, in turn, provide valuable information to parents and students during the transition process. Each agency presented information on their services, outlined how individuals could access their services, and provided pamphlets and materials.

Parent-student transition fair

Students and parents attending the annual transition fair meet community stakeholders who offer post-secondary options for students. Representatives typically include the community rehabilitation programs, armed services, local universities and colleges, trade schools, Social Security Administration, Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. The three-hour transition fair provides students and parents an opportunity to ask questions individually, as well as listen to general session presentations.

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Challenges

Funding limitations The lack of available funding for transition activities continues to challenge this council. Members struggle to identify potential untapped funding sources. Budget limitations Not only do the budget limitations of adult service programs, but also the school budgets influence the projects of the council. Individuals are being asked to expand their roles, making it more difficult to prioritize their time commitments which make council participation more difficult to maintain.

Community Agencies Represented

• Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Center for Mental Health (Community Mental Health Center) • Community College of Indiana • Ebbertt Education Center (Vocational Education Center) • Family Support Services Program of Juvenile Justice • Harmony Vocational Services • Hopewell Center, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) • LifeStream Services (Area Agency on Aging) • Social Security Administration • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)

Special Education Planning District Involved

Anderson Community School Coop. School Corporation Involved

Anderson Community Schools

VRS Area Office Involved

Area 12 Larry Metz, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services River Centre Place 222 East 10th Street Anderson, IN 46016 765-643-7413

Contact Information

Anita Murray Anderson Community School Corp.

Special Education Department 1229 Lincoln Street Anderson, IN 46016

765-641-2163 [email protected]

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Community Transition Council

Delaware and Blackford Counties

Mission

Established in January 2001, the mission of the Community Transition Council is to provide families information through interagency collaboration that leads to a smooth transition and appropriate on-going services for students. In addition, the council promotes continued cooperation between service providers and agencies working with students and adults with disabilities.


Meeting time and location

The councils highest attendance occurs when meetings are held during the lunch hour. Therefore, monthly meetings are conducted over lunch in a reserved section of a local restaurant. Small membership

By maintaining a small membership, the council believes it accomplishes tasks more efficiently than if it were a larger group.

Major Activities

Transition fair

The transition council organized the first transition fair in Muncie in April 2002. The format included provider and vendor booths which enabled students, parents, families, and teachers to meet one-on-one with representatives and learn about services and post-secondary options. The fair also included presentations from Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Social Security Administration, and Medicaid Waiver which provided further details about their organizations and eligibility criteria.

Refreshments and door prizes were donated to the council. Door prizes were given to all who attended. In addition, students entered the names of their classroom teachers for door prizes. To encourage student attendance, many teachers offered their students extra credit for attending the fair.

The council solicited feedback through a survey completed by all attending the fair, vendors, and teachers to evaluate how the fair could be improved in the future.

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Challenges

Time limitations

None of the council members’ jobs focus solely on transition. Therefore, members are often too busy with their jobs for council activities. This has resulted in some projects taking longer than anticipated to complete.


• Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Delaware County Division of Family and Children • Hillcroft Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Medicaid Office • Social Security Administration • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • WorkOne Center (Indiana Department of Workforce Development)


Delaware Blackford Special Education Cooperative

School Corporations Involved

• Blackford County Schools • Cowan Community School Corp. • Daleville Community Schools • Delaware Community School Corp. • Harrison-Washington Community School Corp. • Mount Pleasant Township Community School Corp. • Muncie Community Schools

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Contact Information

Barbara Stevens Special Education Teacher/

Transition Liaison Muncie Community Schools—Storer

3211 W. Mansfield Muncie, IN 47304


VRS Area Office Involved Area 11 Cheryl Hofherr, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 210 E. Charles Street, Suite 130 Muncie, IN 47305-2435

765-282-9863 Cooperative School Serv

ices Community Transition Council Benton, Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, and White Counties

Mission

Established in 1993, the Cooperative School Services Community Transition Council is a community collaboration empowering students with disabilities and their families to determine their destinies and plan independent and productive lives.


Leadership

The leadership and organizational skills of the transition coordinator have contributed to the longevity of this council. By having a central coordinator, members know who to contact with agenda items and suggestions for activities.

Transition fair

Every other year the council sponsors a transition fair, which provides information to students, parents, and families on adult services and post-secondary training and education.

Major Activities

Transition booklet

The council developed a transition booklet providing an introduction to transition for students and families. Included in the booklet are the following topics: the roles and responsibilities of students, adult service providers, family students, adult service providers, family members, and school personnel; the types of employment options; transportation options; housing options; recreation and leisure ideas; community participation (vote, volunteer, selective service registration); health care options; alternative income assistance; and sources for laws and information concerning people with disabilities.

Challenges

Regional issues

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The council serves a large geographical area. This causes difficulty in identifying and prioritizing issues which are impacting the entire area. In addition, it is a challenge to get members representing all areas at each meeting.


• C.D.C./Heartland Employment Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Kankakee Valley Workforce Development Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Pulaski Developmental Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • Wabash Center/Employabilities (Community rehabilitation program)


Cooperative School Services


• Benton Community School Corp. • Frontier School Corporation • Kankakee Valley School Corporation • North Newton School Corporation • Rensselaer Central School Corp. • South Newton School Corporation • Tri-County School Corporation • West Central School Corporation VRS Area Office Involved

Area 1 Terry Oprinovich, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 3445 Ridge Road Highland, IN 46322 219-838-0083

Area 3 Vacant, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 57 South Michigan Avenue Valparaiso, IN 46384 219-462-0521

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Area 6 Fred Williams, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 323 Columbia Street Lafayette, IN 47901-1315 465-423-2701 Area 9 Vacant, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 105 West Sycamore, Suite 406 Kokomo, IN 46901-4670 765-459-8871

Contact Information

Patricia Kem

Director of Special Education Cooperative School Services

116 North Van Rensselaer Street Rensselaer, IN 47978


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East Central Special Services Community Transition Council Fayette, Franklin, Rush, Union and Wayne Counties

Mission

The mission of East Central Special Services Transition Council is to provide a forum for addressing the educational, vocational, residential and recreational needs of East Central Special Services students transitioning from school to adult life.


Equal voice

The foundation of the council is supporting open communication with the understanding that each person on the council has an equal voice and opportunity to share concerns and issues.

Meeting location, agenda, and members’ roles

Monthly meetings are rotated within each of the seven counties served by the Transition Council. A council member or an invited speaker provides an educational component that is meaningful to all members at each meeting. Past topics have included: parent concerns, trusts and wills, guardianship, recreation, Step Ahead, Area Agency on Aging, Indiana Works Project, and Social Security Administration.

Members are actively involved in the council by rotating roles for each meeting. For example, members may host the meeting, take notes, provide educational component, or donate refreshments. Meeting reminders and an agenda are mailed a week prior to each meeting by the transition coordinator to promote better attendance.

Local students recognized for work-related awards or their transition activities attend council meetings. During their visits to the council, students share their experiences, discuss their employment goals, and preview their video resumes to demonstrate the students’ skills and experiences.

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Major Activities

Family training events

During the 2000-2001 academic year, a family forum was sponsored by the council providing information to parents on transition issues. The forum was provided by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, entitled The Right Questions Workshop. Free childcare was provided to families attending the event.

Council member dinner

An annual council dinner sponsored by the East Central Special Services Cooperative shows appreciation for the council members’ work and time commitment. Each year a keynote speaker has addressed a disability-related issue. In addition to regular council members, invited guests include special education directors, school superintendents, Vocational Rehabilitation Services management, and business representatives.

Challenges

Scheduling

The council’s size makes scheduling meetings difficult.

Staff turn-over

Staff turn-over and reassignment make it challenging to maintain a consistent membership. The transition coordinator tries to quickly identify new staff so each agency will be continuously represented on the council. Community Agencies Represented • Area 9 Agency on Aging (Area Agency on Aging) • Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Dunn Mental Health Center, Inc. (Community mental health center) • Franklin County Division of Family & Children • GATES (Community rehabilitation program) • Green Acres, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Landmark Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Residential CRF (Residential program) • River Valley Resources (Indiana Department of Workforce Development/Workforce

Investment Act) • Rush County Division of Family & Children • Shares, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Step Ahead Council • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)


East Central Special Services Coop.

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• Centerville-Abington Community Schools • Fayette County School Corporation • Franklin County Community School Corporation • Northeastern Wayne School Corp. • Rush County Schools • Union County-College Corner Joint School District • Western Wayne Schools

VRS Area Offices Involved

Area 22 Ken Williams, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 2320 Midway Street, Suite 1 Columbus, IN 47201-3726 812-376-9936

Area 23 Bob Jacobsen, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 50 South 2nd Street Richmond, IN 47374 765-966-0932

Contact Information

Cindy Schienbein Teacher, Union County High School

410 Patriot Blvd. Liberty, IN 47353

765-458-5136 ext. 3508 [email protected]

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Floyd County Transition Focus Group Floyd County

Mission

Through partnerships and mutual supports within their schools and larger community, the mission of the New Albany-Floyd County Schools Special Education department is to promote the success of students as they prepare to be responsible community members. Since its creation in October 1994, the FOCUS Group’s goal has been to be a conduit for information essential to the successful transition of students from high school to adult life.


Meeting structure

During the academic school year, monthly meetings are held immediately after school at the administration office. Reminders and agendas are distributed prior to each meeting by the transition coordinator. Meetings are typically facilitated in a very efficient manner observing established ground rules. This ensures meetings require only thirty minutes to one hour.

Networking

Each meeting provides networking opportunities between local stakeholders who share updates on their organizations’ activities and local training events. The transition coordinator gives updates on transition activities and students’ placements. Guest speakers

A guest speaker attends each meeting to share and discuss his/her organization’s policies, procedures, and/or changes. This enables all members to know the local community resources, develop personal relationships with various agencies’ staff, and enhance their community network.

Transition coordinator’s role

The FOCUS Group is managed by the transition coordinator who organizes and identifies specific goals for each meeting. The transition coordinator’s commitment and enthusiasm motivates other members to be actively involved in the council.

Student and parent involvement

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The council’s membership includes student and parent representatives. Their input and participation is essential to prioritizing the FOCUS Group’s goals, the development of transition activities, and the evaluation of the school corporation’s transition services. Transition services have been evaluated, modified and strengthened to better reflect students’ and parents’ needs based on these representatives’ voices.

Major Activities

Transition fair

An annual transition fair is sponsored by the New Albany-Floyd County School Corporation and held during the school day. The council members provide input on transition fair activities, discuss speakers, and work at the fair. All organizations represented on the FOCUS group set-up booths during the fair to allow one-on-one interaction with the 150 students attending the fair. The student representative participates not only as a volunteer worker, but also as a speaker to provide first-hand information to students and answer their questions about his/her transition activities.

Challenges

Meeting attendance

The greatest challenge has been maintaining good attendance. Attempts to encourage attendance have included adjusting the meeting time and offering informative speakers. However, attendance remains inconsistent.


• Access (Public transit system) • Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Employment Priorities (Community rehabilitation program) • Hoosier Healthwise • Indiana Southeast-Supporting Services Office • Life Span Services (Area Agency on Aging) • Medicaid Office • Providence House (Residential provider through Child Protective Services) • Random House (Mental health counseling office) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • WorkOne Center (Indiana Depart. of Workforce Development Services)


New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation

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School Corporation Involved

New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation


Area 25 Kevin Blevins, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 1452 Vaster Avenue Clarksville, IN 47131-2517

Contact Information

Michele Engle Teacher/Transiiton Coordinator

New Albany—Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation

P.O. Box 1087 New Albany, IN 47151-1087


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Fort Wayne Community Schools Advisory Board Allen County

Mission

The Fort Wayne Community Schools Advisory Board was established in November 1999. Their mission is to provide information to students, parents, and teachers on the resources available to support students transitioning from high school to adult life.


Members’ dedication

The board’s success is based on the dedication of each member to its mission. Connecting students with adult services prior to exiting school is essential for their smooth transition from high school to adult life. This motivates all members to play an active role on the board and be creative in their approaches to connecting with students and parents.

Meeting organization

The Fort Wayne Community Schools Advisory Board meets quarterly to discuss current issues and changes in services and policies. The sub-advisory board addressing vocational experiences meets on a regular basis to plan transition events for high school students. The sub-advisory board strives for creative strategies to get students interacting about transition and disability-related issues.

Major Activities

Transition fair

A transition fair is attended each spring by two hundred to three hundred students, parents, and teachers. The fair’s goal is to provide specific information about local resources and community agencies. Attendees have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with agency representatives from Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS), Social Security Administration (SSA), Division of Family and Children (DFC), Indiana Works Project, Aging and In-home Services (AAA), Job Works (Workforce Investment Act), League for the Blind and Disabled, community rehabilitation programs and private residential providers. A one-hour presentation provides updates on agencies’ activities and changes in legislation and policies impacting transition-age students.

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Disability awareness

The board sponsors a disability awareness assembly each spring at the local vocational school. All students have the opportunity to learn about disability issues in an interactive and fun environment. Popular activities have included the wheel-chair obstacle course and the game “Who wants to be a millionaire?” with disability-related questions.

Challenges

Coordinating services

Prior to establishing the board, it was difficult to coordinate transition services between the school and community agencies. The board meetings allow the members to constantly brainstorm creative ways to coordinate services for students.


• Anthony Wayne Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Easter Seals ARC of Northeast Indiana (Community rehabilitation program) • Goodwill of Northeast Indiana Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Job Works (Workforce Investment Act) • Park Center (Community mental health center) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)


Fort Wayne Community Schools


Fort Wayne Community Schools

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Contact Information

Shirley Olwine, VRS Counselor Vocational Rehabilitation Services

219 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802



Area 8 Gail Renz, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 219 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-424-1595

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Grant County School-to-Work Coordinating Council for Persons with Disabilities Grant and Madison Counties

Mission

For the past ten years, the mission of the Grant County School-to-Work Coordinating Council for Persons with Disabilities is to increase employment opportunities for students with disabilities.


Members connecting with students

Quarterly meetings are held in each local high school which allows council members to meet students in person. This strengthens the connection between students and adult service programs and enhances the likelihood of their on-going communication.

In the past, a life skills class prepared and served breakfast for the members prior to the meetings. This allowed students to practice their skills and enabled members to get to know the students served through council activities.

Diverse membership

An essential component of the council’s success has been its diverse membership which includes parents, employers, and adult service programs. Throughout its ten years of activity, the council has continued to encourage agency participation by connecting with new agency staff.

Major Activities

Employer/employee banquet

Council members plan the annual Employer/Employee Banquet for students, parents, and employers. The banquet is funded by donations from the local financial institutions.

Students’ presentations

Students present their current job site information at quarterly council meetings. The school staff provide additional information regarding anticipated services that each student will need upon exiting public school.

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Transition fair

The council has coordinated a community service providers fair to offer the opportunity for students, parents, and families to meet local providers and learn about their services.

Challenges

Business membership

The council continues to face the challenge of maintaining members representing the business community.


• Carey Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Cornerstone Mental Health Center (Community mental health program) • Indiana Department of Workforce Development • Job Source (Workforce Investment Act) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • Chamber of Commerce


Grant County Special Education Coop


• Marion Community Schools • Eastbrook Community Schools • Madison-Grant United School Corp. • Mississinewa Community Schools • Oak Hill United School Corporation

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Contact Information

Lynn Gosser, Director Grant County Special Education

Cooperative 1240 South Adams

Marion, IN 46952-8420 765-651-2073

[email protected]


Area 10 Mike Lovett, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 415 South Branson Street Marion, IN 46953-2095 765-662-9961

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Greater Lafayette Community Transition Council Tippecanoe County

Mission

The Greater Lafayette Community Transition Council works to develop effective support systems by sharing information and resources as they assist youth with disabilities in making a smooth transition into independent and productive adults. This process is facilitated through a collaborative effort between youth, families, schools, community services agencies, businesses, and the greater community.

Successful Operting Strategies Commitment

Established in 1987, the key to the council’s success is the commitment from the schools and council members. The council achieves success when a core group of individuals are committed to its goals. The council believes that it is important to find members who can think globally rather than just about the students that they work with.

Goals

The council strives to establish realistic goals that every council members can focus on achieving. The council has had difficulty when the goals are too large and/or complicated to achieve in an academic year. Sharing information

A standard monthly meeting agenda item is sharing updates and changes within the council members’ agencies and organizations. This enables all stakeholders to be familiar with the current issues impacting transition-age youth.

Major Activities

Transition fair

In the past the council has hosted several transition fairs with limited attendance. The information provided was helpful, but the council struggled getting parents and students to attend. Therefore, the transition fair was dropped for three years. In 2002-03 the council is going to develop a presentation and Q & A session to be held at each high school during parent/teacher conferences. It is hoped by coordinating with a planned school activity, parent and student attendance will be higher. 31

Challenges

Attendance

Scheduling is crucial factor impacting members’ attendance at council meetings and events. The council finds it essential for members to value the council and its activities, so they can make a commitment to attend events.


• Abilities Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Cummins Mental Health Center (Community mental health center) • Department of Family and Children • Lafayette Adult Resource Academy • Mental Health Association • Valley Enterprises (Community mental health center) • Wabash Center, Inc./EmployAbilities (Community rehabilitation program) • WorkOne Center (Indiana Department of Workforce Development)


Greater Lafayette Area Special Services (GLASS)

School Corporations Involved • Lafayette School Corporation • Tippecanoe School Corporation • West Lafayette School Corporation

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Contact Information

Peggy Hege Teacher/Transition Coordinator

2300 Cason Street Lafayette, IN 47904


VRS Area Office Involved VRS Area Office Involved Area 6 Fred Williams, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 111 North 4th Street, Suite A Lafayette, IN 47901-1305

765-423-2276

Hamilton County Transition Council Hamilton County

Mission

The mission of the Hamilton County Community Transition Council is to empower individuals as they prepare today for their lives tomorrow by coordinating or creating resources and opportunities within the community to achieve personal, societal, and career goals.



Quarterly meetings are scheduled a year in advance. The transition coordinator mails agendas, reminder letters and previous meeting’s minutes to council members two weeks prior to meetings. Subcommittees meet between quarterly meetings to address specific issues, projects, or goals. The areas of training, career options, and transportation each have a permanent subcommittee.

An educational component is a standard agenda item. Past presentations have been given by council members, outside services, and business roundtables. Throughout their meetings, the council fosters a collaborative environment by sharing best practices in supported employment and how these practices may be implemented locally with transition-age students. Diverse membership

The composition of council membership includes a variety of representatives from different backgrounds, schools, families, employers, government, and adult service agencies. This diversity offers the council access to a broad range of expertise, interests, and visions. The council recognizes that educators, service providers, families, support agencies will continue as members if the council is serving the purposes of all stakeholders. Another essential component of council membership is the inclusion of individuals with knowledge of state/national issues, projects, legislation, and legal issues.

Attendance flexibility

Flexibility in attendance allows alternate members to attend meetings.

Evaluation/Feedback

Feedback from students, parents, families, and business leaders is used to prioritize the council’s transition activities.

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Major Activities

Transition manual

The council maintains a transition manual that is distributed to all special education students and parents. This comprehensive manual contains the following sections: mission of council, definition of transition, definition/time of what should happen, when it should happen, the various roles, checklist for eighth graders beginning high school, checklist for eighteen year olds preparing to exit school, information on record keeping, school-to-work resources, school to post-secondary resources, community living, interviewing questions for evaluating/selecting community service providers, recreation/leisure, health insurance, and transportation.

Transition fair

The council hosts a transition fair every two years for students, parents, families, and staff. Individuals from outside the community are also invited to attend. Approximately 150-200 people attend the two hour event which offers over 60 vendors from all domains for transition. The fair allows students, parents, and staff to speak one-on-one with agency representatives to obtain information and learn about their services. Past fairs’ outcomes have included an enhancement of the collaborations between agencies, employers, and families, and an increased knowledge base of all parties on transition issues.

Website

In an effort to reach more people, the council maintains a website, www.hblmco-op.org/ctc_mission.html.

Business roundtables

Business roundtables are held on as needed basis to solicit feedback from area businesses on disability and employer issues. With this insight, transition activities are prioritized to reflect local employers’ needs. In the past, business leaders have provided input on topics such as job restructuring/job carving, impact of student processing a high school school diploma versus a certificate of completion, transportation issues, and their experiences of hiring people with disabilities.

Self-advocacy training

The council supports self-advocacy training in many of their participating high schools. Other training activities include self-determination and personal futures planning opportunities for students.

Identifying community needs

The council provides a forum for discussions on a variety of community issues. The council’s influence has brought many issues to the attention of community service agencies and other community members. For example, Janus Developmental Services, Incorporated has recently developed a transportation system in Hamilton County which benefits the entire community, including transitioning students.

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Transition team

A transition team comprised of representatives from member schools was created in 2001-2002 to increase the local district knowledge-base related to transition issues.

Challenges

• Identifying new members quickly to represent stakeholders after people change

positions, leave agencies, graduate, etc. • Maintaining the council’s momentum and focus by continuously reevaluating its

mission and goals. • Ensuring that subcommittees have the support needed to meet regularly and

accomplish their tasks.

Community Agencies Represented • ARC of Indiana • BehaviorCorp, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program/community mental health

center) • Boone County ARC, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Division of Family and Children • Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Hamilton County Alliance • Indiana Developmental Training Center (Community rehabilitation program) • Janus Developmental Services, Inc. (Community rehabiliation program) • Noble of Indiana, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • REM-Indiana, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Sycamore Rehabilitative Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • WorkOne Center (Indiana Department of Workforce Development) Special Education Planning District Involved Hamilton-Boone-Madison Special Services Cooperative

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School Corporations Involved • Carmel-Clay Schools • Frankton-Lapel Community Schools • Hamilton Heights School Corp. • Hamilton Heights School Corp. • Hamilton Southeastern Schools • Marion-Adams School Corporation • Noblesville Schools • Westfield Washington Schools


Area 12 Larry Metz, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services River Centre Place, Suite A 222 East 10th Street Anderson, IN 46016 765-643-7413

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Contact Information

Joyce Peters Teacher/Transition Coordinator

599 South Harbour Noblesville, IN 46060 317-773-5321 ext. 102

[email protected]

Huntington-Whitley Community Transition Council Huntington and Whitley Counties

Mission The original committee members who formed the Huntington-Whitley Transition Council agreed that a mission statement was not needed to guide this group. They were all interested partners in a quest to assist students with disabilities to complete high school and move to a successful adult life. Therefore, a mission statement does not exist.



A meeting calendar is established at the first meeting each fall. Meetings are scheduled the same day and time each month. The transition specialist distributes monthly agendas and minutes via e-mail to keep all members abreast of the council activities.

Member involvement

Each year a written plan outlines the members’ roles and responsibilities. Each member accepts assigned responsibilities. Members’ input and participation in planning activities are also encouraged. The council recognizes the importance of projects that members see as beneficial for the students.

Major Activities

School assembly

The council provides speakers for the annual high schools’ assemblies for their entire student populations to enhance disability awareness. One notable former speaker was actor, Chris Burke.

Parent workshops

The council organizes workshops for parents to update them on current state programs and legislation.

Student activities

The council organizes a day off-campus for students in special education to learn about self-advocacy. Another activity is an annual reality store for the students.

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Employer/student luncheon

An annual employer/student luncheon is sponsored by the council to recognize students’ achievements and acknowledge

Challenges Scheduling

Members cannot always participate in the council due to conflicting schedules. The transition specialist strives to keep members informed about the activities and listen to their input, even if they are unable to attend meetings. Identifying ideas

Council members generate and share creative ideas through brainstorming exercises. Often, members share information about transition activities they have observed in other areas.


• Anthony Wayne Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Goodwill Industries of Northeast Indiana, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Huntington College • IN*SOURCE: Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs • JobWorks • Passages, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Pathfinder Services, Inc./Resource Connection (Community rehabilitation program) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)


Huntington-Whitley Special Services


• Huntington County Community School Corporation • Whitley County Consolidated Schools

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• Area 7 Theresa Davis, Area Supervisor 219 West Wayne Street Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-424-1595

• Area 10 Mike Lovett, Area Supervisor 415 South Branson Street Marion, IN 46953-2095 765-662-9961

Contact Information

Nancy Carender

Transition Specialist Huntington North High School

450 MacGahan Street Huntington, IN 46750


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Jackson County Transition Council Jackson County

Mission

Since 1995, the mission of the Jackson County Transition Council is to be a source of information to students, parents, families, school personnel, employers, and adult service programs on transition issues.


Meeting site rotation

The four local communities served by the council rotate hosting the quarterly council meetings in order to reach all special educators and community stakeholders.

Goal setting

Each year the council develops a solid foundation by identifying what members want to accomplish and setting attainable goals with the available resources.

Local funding sources

The council often utilizes local funding sources such as the Step Ahead Council and Jackson County ARC to pay for council activities and publications to distribute to students and their families.

Member contributions

The council’s goals are achieved by members contributing resources such as money, supplies, staff time, postage, and refreshments.

Major Activities

Resource packet for students

Each fall, packets are distributed to students and parents with updated community and transition information during junior and senior case conferences. In the past, information contained in the packet included the following: employment programs, housing options, residential services providers, health care agencies, Social Security Administration, legal aid, alcohol/drug abuse counseling, mental health counseling, children and youth services, and adult service providers. In addition, the packets contained updates on legislative issues that impacted transition services.

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Alternative methods to identify students

In the 2001-2002 academic year, the council distributed informational letters and fliers to local doctors and churches as an alternative method of reaching students with disabilities who might have benefited from transition services.

Transition resource guide

The council is currently revising a transition guide with information on local community services available for transition-age youth. The guide will be provided to all students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Teacher in-service

During the 1999-2000 academic year, the council sponsored a teacher in-service with lunch provided by the community rehabilitation programs. This offered teachers the opportunity to obtain an overview of council activities. In addition, teachers learned specific information about the local adult service agencies and the referral process of transition-aged youth to the various agencies (i.e. Area Agency on Aging, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and the community rehabilitation programs).

Parent training events

In the past, the council sponsored parent training events at convenient times and locations. Free childcare was always provided.

School fairs

Annually, the council participates in school fairs during disability awareness month.

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Major Activities

The council has had difficulty maintaining active parent involvement on the council. Many of their efforts to reach parents have been ineffective. The council continues struggling to identify ways to attract and support parent representatives to the council.

Limited financial resources

While the council has accessed local funding sources, it continues to be difficult locating funds for resources and events that it would like to produce and sponsor. Therefore, the council must prioritize their activities each year within their financial limitations.

Difficulty connecting with students

With the multiple demands on educators, the council had difficulty forging strong relationships with teachers. Therefore, the connections with the students who would benefit from transition services have not been as effective as the council members had hoped.


• Aging and Community Services (Area Agency on Aging) • Bridgepoint-Goodwill Industries-Easter Seals Society, Inc. (Community rehabilitation

program) • Developmental Services, Inc./JDI (Community rehabilitation program) • Quinco Behavioral Health (Community mental health center) • Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living • Step Ahead Council • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)

Special Education Planning Districts Involved

• Bartholomew Special Services Coop. • Orange-Lawrence-Jackson-Martin-Green Joint Services


• Brownstown Central Schools • Crothersville Community Schools • Medora Community Schools • Seymour Community Schools

Area 24

Challenges Challenges Challenges VRS Area Office Involved

Jim Hackman, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services

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Contact Information

Jodi Isaacs

VRS Counselor 200 East Third Street

P.O. Box 930 Seymour, IN 47274


200 East Third Street P.O. Box 930 Seymour, IN 47274 812-522-4585

Jennings County Transition Council Jennings County

Mission

The Jennings County Transition Council was established in 1998 to provide information to high school students, parents, families and teachers about transition options, adult services, and their roles in the transition process. The council also promotes community-based employment options for students during their final year of high school.


Meetings convenient for teachers

Council meetings are held at Jennings County High School every other month immediately after school. The meetings provide an opportunity to share information and coordinate activities between community stakeholders and special education staff. Examples of the meetings’ outcomes include: coordinating case conferences between the teachers and the vocational rehabilitation counselor; sharing information and problem solving about job placement issues for students; and organizing and planning for distribution of transition information through brochures, booklets, case conferences, classroom presentations, and transition fairs. All students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) benefit from the council’s information and service coordination. Joint confidentiality form

A joint release and confidentiality form was created to represent all members of the transition council. The release has enabled members to share information about students and conduct student assessments.

Major Activities

Teacher in-service

In 1998, the council sponsored a transition in-service for special education teachers and council members prior to the fall semester which was provided by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.

Transition resource guide

A community resource booklet maintained by the council is distributed at all case conferences. The booklet contains information on residential providers, employment

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programs, recreational opportunities, post-secondary education, training institutions, and advocacy groups.

Transition brochure

A student planning brochure was developed by the council and is distributed at all case conferences which assists students to prepare for post-secondary education, training, and employment. This brochure outlines the activities and steps the students should take during the sophomore, junior, and senior year to reach their long-range goals. Annual transition family night

An annual family night is hosted by the council and the special education department with partial funding from the Step Ahead Council. After the meal, transition information is provided to students, parents, and families. Past events have included presentations on Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Medicaid Waivers, community rehabilitation programs, and guardianship. In addition, presentations have been given by a student panel who shared their transition experiences and personal insights into the issues, concerns, and needs of students.

Challenges Identifying new activities

The council is challenged to identify new activities and meeting content that motivates its members and maintains their interest in attending meetings and being involved with the council.


• Aging and Community Services (Area Agency on Aging) • Developmental Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Quinco Behavioral Health (Community mental health center) • South Central Workforce Development Services (Workforce Investment Act) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)


Madison Area Educational Special Services Unit


Jennings County Community Schools

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Area 24 Jim Hackman, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 200 East Third Street P.O. Box 930 Seymour, IN 47274 812-522-4585

Contact Information

Gail Pfaffenberger

VRS Counselor 202 East Third Street

P.O. Box 930 Seymour, IN 47274


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Lake County Interagency Transition Committee Lake County

Mission The Lake County Interagency Transition Committee’s mission is to provide assistance and support to youth with disabilities and their families in facilitating transition from school to adult life.

Successful Operating Strategies Rotating meeting location

Monthly meeting locations are rotated between the participating agencies. This enables all members to learn about each other’s activities and facilities. Each meeting offers the opportunity for agencies to share information. Meeting minutes are distributed to ensure the information reaches all members.

Guest speakers

A standard agenda item is a presentation on a disability issue. Examples of past presentation topics are Social Security and social service agencies.

Major Activities

Networking

Primarily, the committee acts as a networking group by sharing information about new and on-going programs around the county. Transition handbook

In 2000, a transition handbook was produced and distributed to all 16 school districts.

Challenges

Attendance

The committee continues struggling to maintain high attendance levels at each meeting.


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• IN-PACT, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • LCAR, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • TradeWinds Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Goodwill Industries (Community rehabilitation program) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • WorkOne Center (Indiana Depart. of Workforce Development)

Special Education Planning District Involved Northwest Indiana Special Education Cooperative (NISEC)


• Crown Point Community School Corp. • Griffith Public Schools • Hanover Community School Corp. • Hobart Township Community Schools • Lake Ridge Schools • Lake Station Community Schools • Merrillville Community School • School City of Hobart • School Town of Highland • Tri-Creek School Corporation


• Area 1 Terry Oprinovich, Area Supervisor

Contact Information

Tondelia McVea

Transition Services Coordinator LCAR, Inc.

2650 West 35th Avenue Gary, IN 46408


Vocational Rehabilitation Services 3445 Ridge Road Highland, IN 46322-2049 219-838-0083

• Area 2 Marilyn Hardy, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 504 Broadway, Suite 444 Gary, IN 46602-1921 219-881-6746

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LaPorte County Transition Council LaPorte County and Michigan City Area

Mission The LaPorte County Transition Council was established in October 2001 to provide information to eligible students, families, and educators about transition services to eliminate a lapse in exiting students’ services between high school and adult services.


Council’s role

The LaPorte County Transition Council is instrumental in developing a vision for the adult lives of students with disabilities and promoting the plans necessary to realize their visions. The council promotes community-based employment for eligible students during their final year of high school and other work-related strategies before their final year.

Meeting structure

The key to maintaining the council has been informing members regularly of upcoming agenda items and meeting dates. The council encourages each member’s input on agenda items. Positive outcomes occur when solutions are offered from various stakeholders with multiple perspectives. When important issues are identified, the council members determine what resources are needed to adequately address the topic at their next meeting. Defined goals

The council’s primary responsibility is developing and implementing goals that cut across programs’ guidelines to identify employment and transition outcomes for exiting high school students with disabilities. The council has remained focused by prioritizing its yearly goals. The council’s 2001-2002 goals included the following: • Develop opportunities to share resources and strategies among members. • Have increased communication and coordination between disciplines. • Develop networking opportunities. • Elevate linkages between the school system and adult service agencies. • Become a working partnership with common goals. • Work with every eligible student and family to plan his/her future. • Ensure eligible students are provided instruction, related services, community

experiences, and daily living skills while in high school. • Increase the chance that every student is successful once s/he exits school.

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Personal connections

Prospective members are met face-to-face, not over the phone or via e-mail, to solicit their participation on the council. Through personal connections and strong leadership, the council has developed committed members who have with solid relationships in the community and with the schools’ transition coordinators.

Major Activities

Information dissemination

The council has accepted the charge to connect students, parents, and teachers with the information and resources needed to learn about changes in Social Security, Medicaid Waiver, ISTEP, and post-secondary services. Every two months, guest speakers are invited to present information to the council enabling members to return to their organizations and explain the changes. Examples of past presentations include Social Security Administration, Ivy Tech admissions, and adult education.

Student referrals to adult services

The council facilitates and supports students’ referrals to Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) six months prior to exiting of high school.

Transition camp

The council gave input on the development of a 2002 summer transition camp at Michiana Resources, Inc. Members assisted in designing activities including vocational skills, technology laboratory, and career exploration (vocational inventories). Community Agencies Represented • Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Dungarvin Indiana Inc. (Residential program) • Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Ivy Tech State College • LaPorte Chamber of Commerce • Michiana Resources, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce • Parents & Friends (PAF) • Purdue University North Central • Swanson Center (Community mental health center) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) 49


• LaPorte County Special Ed.Coop. • Michigan City Area Schools


• LaPorte Community School Corp. • LaPorte County Schools • Michigan City Area Schools • New Prairie United School Corporation • South Central Community School

VRS Area Office Involved Area 3 Vacant, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 57 South Michigan Avenue Valparaiso, IN 46383-5674 219-462-0521

Contact Information

Brad Green

Transition Coordinator Michiana Resources, Inc. 4315 East Michigan Blvd. Michigan City, IN 46360 219-874-4288 ext. 383

[email protected]

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Monroe/Owen County Transition Council Monroe and Owen Counties

Mission

Established in 1995, the mission of the Monroe/Owen County Transition Council is to collaborate with schools, families, agencies, and businesses in assisting youth as they prepare today for their lives tomorrow.


Active membership

Consistently, there has been a core group actively maintaining the integrity of the council.

Meeting flexibility

Flexibility in the meetings’ format enhances the council’s activities. Council meetings were changed in 2001-2002 from monthly to quarterly, allowing for monthly task force (subcommittee) meetings to be well attended. This schedule ensures members have scheduled time to complete assignments without requiring an additional meeting.

Annual planning

Celebrating and strategic planning are essential keys to the council’s success. A yearly retreat allows members to recognize, celebrate, and discuss their achievements, and strategically plan the new school year’s goals and activities.

Major Activities

Since 1995, the council has used multiple strategies to provide information to students, parents, and families. These methods included the following: • Quarterly newsletters mailed to families, teachers, and counselors on a variety of topics. • Life After High School: A Guide to Transition Planning distributed to students, parents,

and families, teachers. Sections included in the manual provide answers to the following questions: What is transition planning; What are adult service providers; How do I get a job; Where am I going to live; What can I do with my free time; How will I get around; Can Social Security help me; Do I need health insurance; Selective service registration; Do I need a guardian; and How can I help myself?

• Evening meetings held to discuss transition planning with families. • Annual transition fairs for students, parents, and teachers.

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• Fact sheets with basic information concerning all aspects of transition planning were distributed to students, parents, families, and teachers.

• A video was created for families on transition and positive outcomes for students exiting into community-based adult services.

Challenges

Meeting attendance

Busy schedules cause frequent conflicts with established meetings which lead to low meeting attendance.

New member orientation

New members have found it difficult to fully understand the council. Members are committed to facilitating orientation and supporting new members. The council is concerned that its effectiveness is based on the long-term relationships and shared philosophy of only a few people. The council is looking for ways to ensure that if the core membership changes, the mission and council will continue.


• Anthony Wayne Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Bloomington Transit • Goodwill Supported Employment Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Options for Better Living, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Social Security Administration • Southern Indiana Independent Living Center • Stone Belt ARC, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)


• Forest Hills Special Education Coop. • Monroe County Community School Corp.

School Corporations Involved • Monroe County Community School Corp. • Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp. • Spencer-Owen Community Schools

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Area 21 Rob Ambrose, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 302 West Second Street Bloomington, IN 47403-2492 812-332-7331 Contact Information

Barbara Horvath, Transition Coordinator 315 North Drive

Bloomington, IN 47401 812-349-4757

[email protected]

&

Kelly Walsh, Transition Coordinator 5015 West State Road 46 Bloomington, IN 47404

812-876-6325

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mailto:[email protected]

North Central Indiana School To Life Transition Council Fulton, Kosciusko, Marshall, and Whitley Counties

Mission Since its formation in 1996, the mission of the North Central Indiana School to Life Transition Council has been to support the transition of students with disabilities from school to integrated employment and adult roles.



The primary strategy used for achieving excellent attendance has been maintaining the meetings’ organization and structure. Meeting dates and times are scheduled for the academic year at the beginning of each fall semester. The transition coordinator distributes agendas and a reminder of time and location prior to each meeting. Minutes are recorded and distributed to all members and special education teachers.

Annual evaluation and planning

The council evaluates the transportation needs of students, parents, teachers, and employers through a written survey each spring. With this information, the council reviews their activities for the upcoming school year. An annual planning session is held at the beginning of each fall to specify their goals, prioritize their activities, and organize projects’ subcommittees.

Major Activities Transition fair

Annual transition fairs have been sponsored by the council for many years. During the 2001-2002 academic year a new format was used to increase attendance. Transitions fairs were held in each of the five school districts served by the council. Students, parents, and teachers in the middle and high schools attended. Local service providers and social service agencies had booths to distribute materials and speak one-on-one with attendees. In addition, a former student gave a presentation on self-advocacy and self-determination.

Transition trainings

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The council has sponsored trainings for students, parents, and teachers on transition issues. During the 2001-2002 school year, two trainings were provided. The first focused on the Indiana Works Project. The second training was conducted by a local team with materials provided by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community and Vocational Rehabilitation Services entitled, Transition to Adult Life: A Shared Responsibility.

Transition manual

Currently, the council maintains a resource manual to increase the awareness of students, parents, and teachers on transition services and local adult services. The manuals are distributed to all middle and high school students with disabilities and their families in the annual case conferences. The manual guides the case conference committees in addressing students’ transition needs. Included in the manual are the following topics: a basic overview of transition with an outline of activities that should occur each year; an extensive listing of available adult services and local service providers in the area, and a section for students and parents to record their contacts with these agencies.

Transition evaluation

A survey was distributed to middle and high school teachers at the beginning and end of the 2001-2002 academic year. The survey’s goal was to determine the teachers’ perspectives on transition. The teachers’ opinions on a variety of issues were surveyed, including their comfort level in discussing transition with students and parents, the preparation for students for transition, and the role of the transition coordinator in the transition process. Based on their feedback, the council and special education cooperative have begun looking at how to best address the teachers’ request for assistance addressing individual students’ needs and education for middle school teachers on transition.

Challenges

Student and parent involvement

The greatest challenge is maintaining the involvement of students and parents on the council. By sharing the successes and challenges they addressed during the transition process, students and parents are integral partners in developing and enhancing the transition services. North Central Indiana School to Life Transition Council is addressing this challenge by adding a former student and a parent representative to the council. The council has also begun inviting parents who attend seminars, conference, and other events to attend council meetings.

Tracking students

The council has been actively researching ways to track students who have been referred for adult services. The goal of tracking is to determine if students applied for services and were deemed eligible for services. Through its research the cooperative began participating in the Division of Exceptional Children’s Graduate Follow-up Study. However, the council is continuing to research additional tracking methods.

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• Anthony Wayne Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Bureau of Devleopmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Cardinal Center, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Goodwill/WorkOne (Workforce Investment Act) • Manitou Training Center (Community rehabilitation program) • Marshall Starke Developmental Center (Community rehabilitation program) • Otis R. Bowen Center (Community mental health center) • Passages Inc. (Communtiy rehabilitation program) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)


North Central Indiana Special Education Cooperative

School Corportions Involved

• Bremen Public Schools • Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. • Warsaw Community Schools • Wawasee Community School Corp. • Whitko Community School Corp.


• Area 5

Elsie Billisitz, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 347 W. Lusher Avenue Elkhart, IN 46517-1825 219-293-2771

• Area 9 Vacant, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services

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Contact Information

Amy Hobbs Transition Coordinator

1 Tiger Lane Warsaw, IN 46580

765-267-5174 ex. 2373 [email protected]

101 W. Superior, Suite B Kokomo, IN 46901-4670 765-459-8871

Orange County Transition Council Orange County

Mission The purpose of the Orange County Transition Council is to assist the school communities in understanding South Central Area Special Education Cooperative’s transition program which provides community-based transition services to students with disabilities.


Membership and roles

The council’s success is based on the selection members who are key business people with an interest, time, and skills to contribute. The council is maintained by a small number of active members. Members have assigned roles and responsibilities on the council. Meetings are scheduled on an as-needed basis during the academic year.

Survey community

Prior to establishing the council, the transition coordinator surveyed the community’s vocational needs and awareness of transition issues. The council’s goals and activities are based on the results of this research.

Goal setting

Each year the council establishes realistic goals that are attainable in one academic year.

Major Activities

Business network

Collaborative relationships between the schools and businesses have been developed through the council. A local business network has been established to support job training and job placement for high school students. These business partners may mentor transition students to focus on crucial aspects of students’ vocational/career outcomes.

Student and parent information

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The council focuses on developing relationships between students and parents of Orange County with federal, state, and local providers of social services. The council has concentrated on assitive technology and has developed a support mechanism for students and young adults to become familiar with and gain access to assistive technology.

Challenges

Membership

The council has difficulty in keeping key players from each school community actively participating and contributing to the council. Parent involvement has also been limited.

Limited budget

While many great ideas have been generated by the council, often there is no funding or limited funds to support the activities. The council struggles to tap into existing community resources for its needs. Momentum

The council is challenged to maintain the members’ momentum and energy. It has been difficult keeping members focused upon the goals and objectives of the council.


• Chamber of Commerce • City and county government • Hoosier Uplands (Area Agency on Aging) • Local manufacturing outlets • Local retail outlets • OneStop Center (Indiana Depart. of Workforce Development) • Social Security Administration • Tech school/local college • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)


South Central Area Special Education Cooperative School Corporations Involved

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• Paoli Community School Corporation • Springs Valley Community School Corp.


Area 19 Rueben Fakes, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 611 Bartley Street Jasper, IN 47546-2620 877-847-9869

Contact Information

Ray Lewis Teacher/Transition Coordinator

South Central Area Special Education Cooperative 9455 West Mount Tabor Road Campbellsburg, IN 47108-9484


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Passages Transition Council White and Carroll Counties

Mission

The Passages Transition Council was established in 1998 with the mission to provide support for students, parents, and teachers, by being a liaison between the students with disabilities and the community as they transition from school to adult life.


Yearly planning

A facilitator leads and supports the council at an annual planning session to set the goals for the upcoming school year.

Goal oriented

Each council member is motivated to enhance transition services for youth. Each monthly meeting is well organized and led by the work-study coordinator. The mission statement of this council keeps the members focused on their goals and assists in prioritizing council activities.

Agency involvement

The community agencies participating on the council have provided information not only benefiting students, parents, and school staff but also other council members. Through these agencies’ connections, the council has located speakers for in-services, employment for students, funding for banquets, and respite care for students.

Major Activities

Appreciation banquet

At an annual banquet, student trainees and employers are recognized for their successes during the school year. Council members solicit funding from community organizations for the banquet.

Hosting tours

The council hosts and supports students and parents to tour independent living, semi-independent, and group homes options.

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Parent seminars

Annual parent seminars are sponsored by the council at the school’s annual parent-teacher conference night and open house. The council has found parent turn-out is highest when coordinated with this school-wide event. Topics presented in the past have included: Medicaid Waiver, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and Heartland Services (community rehabilitation program).

Council seminars

During monthly meetings, a training component is included on the agenda providing council members information on community mental health services and Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Challenges

Meeting attendance

Due to conflicting schedules and the time constraints of council members, it has been difficult to maintain high attendance levels. The council has found that a working lunch is the best option to encourage attendance.

Community Agencies Represened

• Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Comprehensive Development Center • Division of Family and Children • Employment and Training Services (Workforce Invetment Act) • Heartland Employment Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • Wabash Valley Mental Health (Community mental health center)


• Logansport Area Joint Special Ed.Coop. • Rensselaer Cooperative School Services


• Delphi Community School Corporation • Frontier School Corporation • North White School Corporation

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• Twin Lakes School Corporation


• Area 6 Fred Williams, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 111 North 4th Street, Suite A Lafayette, IN 47901-1305 765-423-2276

• Area 9 Mike Lovett, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 1712 Dividend Drive Logansport, IN 46947 219-753-0102

Contact Information

Emily Judge PVE Coordinator

Twin Lakes High School 300 South Third Street Monticello, IN 47960


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The purpose of the School to Community Transition Council of Elkhart County is to support the transition of students with disabilities from secondary schools to community employment, post secondary education, community living, recreation and leisure through a cooperative and collaborative effort of parents, educators, and relevant service providers.

Mission

School to Community Transition Council of Elkhart County Elkhart County



Meetings are planned by the transition specialist and career consultant for the second Tuesday of each month. Each meeting is organized with an agenda with specific time frames for activities to ensure the council stays on task and uses time efficiently.

Most meetings include a guest speaker who presents information on a topic beneficial to all members. Speakers’ presentations are taped in order to share the information with students, parents, teachers or other interested stakeholders who could not attend the meetings. Past presentations have included Indiana Works Project, Social Security Administration, Medicaid Waiver, and Disabilities Resource Network. Yearly evaluation

The council members annually evaluate and determine what strategies work well and what areas need improvement. For example, the lack of teacher attendance prompted the council to change their meeting time from mid-afternoon to after school.

Major Activities

Transition manual

A transition manual entitled The Road to Success was created by the council with graphics designed by local high school students. The purpose of the manual is to provide resources, contacts, and information to young adults, parents, and educators. Topics in the manual include the following subjects: recreation, community living, employment, guardianship, post-secondary education, medical assistance, responsibility (selective service registration, Medicaid funding, voter registration), Social Security benefits, technology, and transportation. Classroom teachers distribute the manual to students and parents.

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Annual transition fair

The council sponsors a yearly transition fair at a local high school. The fair allows students, parents, and teachers an opportunity to meet local adult service programs. At the 2002 transition fair, 35 agencies provided information and answered questions. Agencies represented at the fair included social service agencies, service providers, colleges, 4-H, Aktion Club, Special Olympics, employers, and vendors. Classroom teachers promoted the fair to students during school. Refreshments were provided by the council.

Challenges Scheduling

The council struggles to accommodate schedules to ensure each meeting is well attended. Scheduling issues have made it difficult to maintain parent and school personnel involvement on the council.

Addressing all disabilities

The council has found it difficult to adequately address the wide array of disabilities and diverse transition issues.


• ADEC, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Anthony Wayne Services (Community rehabilitation services) • Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Disability Resource Network • Goodwill Industries, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Indiana Department of Workforce Development • Oaklawn Psychiatric Center, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program/Community

mental health center) • Medicaid Office • Social Security Administration • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)


• Elkhart Community Schools • Elkhart County Sp. Ed. Coop.

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• Baugo Community Schools • Concord Community Schools • Elkhart Community Schools • Fairfield Community Schools • Goshen Community Schools • Middlebury Community Schools • Wa-Nee Community Schools


Area 5 Elsie Billisitz, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 347 West Lusher Avenue Elkhart, IN 46517-1825 219-293-2771

Contact Information

Teresa DeMauro, Career Consultant Elkhart WorkOne

430 Waterfall Drive Elkhart, IN 46516


&

Linda Ogle, Transition Specialist Tipton Street Center

1013 Tipton Elkhart, IN 46516


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School-to-Work Advisory Committee Vigo, Southwest Park, and Southern Vermillion Counties

Mission The mission of the School-to-Work Advisory Committee is to advise the executive director of the Covered Bridge Special Education District (CBSED) concerning the skills necessary for employment, the direction and vision of the program, and to encourage cooperation and support for the Community Work Skills Training Program (formerly called the School-to-Work Program).

Successful Operating Strategies Meeting organization

Meetings are conducted four times during the academic year. The meeting dates are scheduled in advance during the last meeting of the preceding year. Keeping meeting dates on the same day and month each year has fostered good attendance. A meeting agenda is sent to the members two weeks in advance. On occasion the officers and committee chairs will hold a separate meeting to prepare for a special event or gather information for other members.

Keep agenda purposeful taking suggestions for topics, speakers, etc. from the membership; communicate program successes to the members at each meeting; follow-up on member suggestions by implementing their ideas keeps them energized and feeling productive. Diverse membership

The committee has broadened its membership to include more business representatives and agencies that were not directly involved with persons with disabilities. This has developed awareness among previously uninvolved persons and promoted disability awareness in the community.

Major Activities Transition events

The committee organized Transition (Career Day) Events in April 1998, April 1999, and November 2001. Events were opened to senior and junior students enrolled in special education classes in nine high schools. Two events were held at the Indiana Air National Guard Base and the last event was held at Indiana State University. Over the four year period, attendance has grown from 106 to 221 students.

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Video

The committee produced a videotape which was shown in junior year case conferences. The video contained transition information presented by the local Vocational Rehabilitation Services supervisor, CBSED’s transition specialist, and Social Administration’s project director. Copies of the information video were distributed to each CBSED high school in August 2001. Transition manual

Annually, the committee reviews and makes suggestions for the transition manuals written and produced by CBSED. In the past, a manual for students with moderate/severe disabilities and another for junior year students was distributed. The manuals revised in 2002 were written for eighth grade (age 14) students and junior year case conferences.

Guest speakers

The committee identifies local needs and invites speakers to give information on these topics, e.g., transportation, Social Security, summer youth programs, School-to-Work grants, and local employment opportunities. Based on this information, suggestions are forwarded to the executive director.

Encourages partnerships

The committee encourages and fosters community partnerships that will benefit CBSED. Currently, the committee is establishing a partnership with the P.A.C.E.R. Foundation to secure funding for the next transition event and to develop other student-centered activities.

Challenges

Member involvement

In the past, the committee was not successful because attempted activities were too complicated or required too much work. Many members were also involved on other adult service boards, committees, etc. and did not have the time to devote to this committee. Therefore, the committee was re-established with a diverse membership to overcome this challenge.

Systems change

The council is challenged to maintain members’ focus on system change issues rather than individual person’s and agency’s needs.


• ARC of Vigo County, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Assist, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Goodwill (Community rehabilitation program) • Hamilton Center, Inc./Spectrum Industries (Community rehabilitation program) • Indiana Air National Guard

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• Indiana State University • Social Security Administration • The Volunteer Action Center • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • Western Indiana Employment Training Services

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Covered Bridge Special Education District


• Clay County School Corporation • Rockville School Corporation • Southwest Parke School Corp. • South Vermillion School Corp. • Vigo County School Corporation


Area 7 Nancy Brown, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 30 North 8th Street

Contact Information

Linda Sturtevant Transition Specialist

Covered Bridge Special Education District

1320 Walnut Street Terre Haute, IN 47807

P.O. Box 10217 Terre Haute, IN 47801-0217 812-232-7864

812-462-4634 ext. 271

&

Craig Whedon, District Supervisor Covered Bridge Special Education District

1320 Walnut Street Terre Haute, IN 47807 812-462-4634 ext. 207

Southern Indiana Resource Council for People with Disabilities

Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Orange, Scott, and Washington Counties

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Mission

Established in 1994, the mission of the Southern Indiana Resource Council for People with Disabilities is to assist schools, agencies, and local service providers in the initiation and dissemination of transition information.



Monthly meetings are held during the academic year on the second Tuesday of each month for one hour. Council members attending the meeting stay abreast of current issues, upcoming trainings, disability-related events, and learn useable information. A standard agenda item is an update by the Social Security Liaison regarding work incentives and policy changes. Another agenda item is an educational component related to transition or adult services. Examples of past presentation topics include: Social Security, Medicaid Waiver, current legislation, Hoosier Healthwise, Indiana Works Project, Employment Security (Indiana Department of Workforce Development), and Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS). In addition, meetings include an open information sharing session allowing members to share updates and late-breaking news from their organizations. Fiscal responsibilities

The organizations represented on the council share fiscal cost of supporting council activities and creating products.

Major Activities

Transition manual

The council maintains a transition manual that is used throughout southern Indiana. The organizations represented on the council make financial contributions to publish the manual. Organizations are given a percentage of the manuals based on their contribution.

Information dissemination

Information is distributed in a variety of ways to communities served by the council. For example, information is provided at transition fairs, case conferences, and other community meetings.

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Challenges

Attendance

Attendance is often sporadic because of members’ time constraints and responsibilities. It becomes difficult maintaining school personnel’s involvement when the end of the school year requires much of their time.


• Blue River Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Bridgepointe Goodwill Industries and Easter Seal Society, Inc. (Community

rehabilitation services) • First Chance (Community rehabilitation program) • Life-Span (Area Agency on Aging) • New Hope Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Rauch, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Social Security Administration • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • WorkOne Center (Indiana Department of Workforce Development)


• Greater Clarksville Sp. Ed. Coop. • Madison Area Educational Special Services Unit • New Albany Special Education Coop. • South Central Area Special Education Cooperative

School Corportions Involved

• Clarksville Community School Corp. • Crawford County School Corp. • Greater Clark County Schools • Lanesville Community School Corp. • New Albany-Floyd County • Consolidated School Corporation • North Harrison Community School Corporation • Paoli Community School Corp.

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• Pekin-Eastern • Salem Community Schools • Scott County School District 1 • Scott County School District 2 • Springs Valley Community School Corp.

• South Harrison Community School Corp. • West Clark Community Schools • West Washington School Corporation

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• Area 19

Rueben Fakes, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 611 Bartley Street Jasper, IN 47546-2620 812-482-4648

• Area 24 Jim Hackman, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 200 East Third Street P.O. Box 930 Seymour, IN 47274-0930 812-522-4585

• Area 25 Kevin Blevins, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 1452 Vaxter Avenue Clarksville, IN 47131-2517 812-288-8261 Contact Information

Kevin Blevins, Region Manger Vocational Rehabilitation Services 1452 Vaxter Avenue Clarksville, IN 47131-2517


Special Population Initiative of Step Ahead Gibson and Knox Counties

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Mission

The Special Population Initiative of Step Ahead does not have a formal mission statement.


Address community needs

The Special Population Initiative of Step Ahead continues to expand its mission to encompass the needs and demands of the local community. For example, the council is currently addressing the issues and concerns of the Hispanic community.

Members’ commitment

The council members remain focused on supporting their community through systems change issues and the desire to promote more individualized community-based services. The commitment and personal beliefs of the council members in the power of community inclusion motivates the council to achieve its goals.

Major Activities

Transportation

The Special Population Initiative of Step Ahead has received a transportation grant to provide public transportation to the residents of Knox County. Housing Authority

The council collaborates with the local Housing Authority, Section 8, and Home of Your Own to provide individualized housing for Knox and Gibson County residents with disabilities or low incomes.

Jobs

Identifying local employment opportunities (including supported employment) for all people with disabilities including transition-aged youth is an important role of the council.

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Challenges

Systems change

Promoting and facilitating systems change remains a challenge.


• ATTIC (Independent Living Center) • Division of Family and Children • Four Rivers Resource Services, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Knox County ARC, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Generations (Area Agency on Aging) • Gibson County Area Rehabilitation Centers, Inc. (Community rehabilittion program) • Good Samaritan Hospital Social Services • Housing Authorities • Samaritan Center (Community mental health center) • Senior Citizens Center • Vincennes University • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) • YMCA


Knox County Special Education Services


• North Knox School Corporation • South Knox School Corporation • Vincennes Community School Corp.

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Contact Information

Area 18 Pat Stewart, Director Susan Carpenter, Area Supervisor ATTIC Vocational Rehabilitation Services P.O. Box 2441 307 North Second Street Vincennes, IN 47591 Vincennes, IN 47591-1304

812-886-0575 812-882-7208 [email protected]

Transition Advisory Committee St. Joseph County

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Mission

The Transition Advisory Committee’s purpose is to be a networking opportunity for the special education department of South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC), Joint Educational Services for Special Education, Mishawaka-Penn-Harris-Madison Joint Services, and community agencies which serve students and adults with disabilities and their families.


Committee structure

The committee reviews its mission regularly. The mission is modified and changed based on the community’s needs. Each year the goals are established. Members are actively involved in determining the committee’s direction. A key to the committee’s success is identifying one member who has the time available to maintain the committee’s momentum to serve as the chair.

Collaboration

By meeting together, committee members share new policies and procedures impacting services, as they discuss best practices for servicing students’ needs. The committee believes that working together increases effectiveness, resource availability, and decision making capabilities. Committee members also share information about upcoming training opportunities that are open to other agencies, caregivers, teaching staff,and families. Logan Community Resources, Inc., the SBCSC, and the Indiana Association on Supported Employment have invited committee members to attend their trainings and in-services.

Mentorship

Established committee members mentor new members by providing information and guidance on the functions of the committee. Mentors assist new members to learn the committee’s role and the system’s change issues which are addressed through its activities.

Major Activities

Transition information fair

Planning the annual transition information fair for students and families is a major committee activity. More than 20 agencies have attended the fairs with elaborate displays to share information with students and families. In the past, 100 families have attended the

fair. In addition to meeting students and families, agencies have also benefited from networking with other agency representatives. The 2003 Transition Information Fair will be hosted by Ivy Tech State College at their new campus in South Bend.

Community resource manual

The committee oversees the development of the community resource manual, Taking the Next Step. The latest edition was designed and compiled by a graduate level class at Indiana University at South Bend. The committee met with the instructor prior to the project, reviewed early drafts of the manual, and gave final approval of the format.

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Challenges

Membership turnover

Turnover of members is the greatest challenge of the Transition Advisory Committee. The committee strives to obtain new agency representatives when members leave their positions. Also, the committee continues to be challenged to retain parent and student members.

Scheduling

The committee is challenged when scheduling meetings. It has been difficult determining the meeting time that gets the largest number of members attending.


• ADEC, Inc.— Career Direction (Community rehabilitation program) • Anthony Wayne Services (Community rehabilitation program) • Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) • Dungarvin (Residential provider) • Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Indiana University at South Bend • IN*Source (Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs) • Ivy Tech State College • Logan Community Resources, Inc. (Community rehabilitation program) • Marshall Starke Developmental Center—Community Employment Services

(Community rehabilitation program) • Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)

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• Joint Educational Services for Special Education • Mishawaka-Penn-Harris-Madison Joint Services • South Bend Community Schools Corporation


• Joint Services for Special Education • Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp. • School City of Mishawaka • South Bend Community School Corp.


Area 1 Dave Haluda, Area Supervisor Vocational Rehabilitation Services 221 West Wayne Street South Bend, IN 46601-2198 574-232-4861

Contact Information

Bill Court, INTERN Program South Bend Community

School Corporation 635 S. Main Street

South Bend, IN 46601 574-631-3340

[email protected]

Gloss

ary

Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

Area Agencies on Aging are part of a statewide network of non-profit organizations that plan, coordinate, and fund services for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Each Area Agency on Aging helps callers find answers to questions and guides them to appropriate resources.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is any piece of equipment or product that is used to maintain or improve the functional capacity of individuals with disabilties.

Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS)

A section of the Division of Disability, Aging, and Rehabilitative Services of Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration. The Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services plans, develops, and administers a variety of services for people with developmental disabilities. Services available are community-based, residential alternatives to placement in state institutions and health facilities. Programs support independent living in the least restrictive setting possible and are based on a person centered planning process.

Community Mental Health Centers

Agencies that provide services to individuals with significant behavioral or mood disorders that are not related to mental retardation or developmental disabilities.

Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRP)

Agencies that provide rehabilitation and employment opportunities, training, and job placement to individuals with disabilities.

Community-based services

Instruction that occurs in natural community environments, such as work sites, shopping centers, and restaurants.

Community-support services

All generic services (accommodations, person in the environment or practices) that help an individual in conducting life activities, including employment.

Eligibility criteria

A set of rules that determines whether an individual or family is qualified to receive services based on the nature and severity of the disability, income or other characteristics.

Employment specialist

An employment staff person who is employed by a school, community mental health center or community rehabilitation program to perform one or all of the employment services such as assessment, job development, job placement, job site training and

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supports and/or on-going supports. May also be known as job coach or employment consultant.

Hoosier Healthwise

A health insurance program for Indiana children, pregnant women, and low-income families. Health care is provided at little or no cost to Indiana families enrolled in the program. The enrolled member chooses a doctor to get regular checkups and health care for illnesses. Other health needs such as prescriptions, dental care, vision care, family planning services, and mental health services are also available as part of the Hoosier Healthwise program. Call 1-800-889-9949 for more information.

Independent Living Centers

Established were by the Rehabilitation Act in response to consumer and People First Movements. Independent Living Centers also known as Centers for Independent Living (CILS) are run predominately by consumers and can fund or support accommodations in vehicles and housing to make individuals with disabilities more independent.

Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD)

Provides career planning, labor market information, job search materials, and job matching services to all Indiana residents. Additional services for eligible individuals include unemployment insurance, veteran’s services, and training. The services can be access through the local Express Center, OneStop Center or WorkOne Center.

Indiana Works Project

This project provides SSDI and SSI beneficiaries and recipients with benefits planning, assistance and outreach. This objective information allows individuals to make educated decisions on returning to or entering the work force and the impact employment will have on their benefits. This project targets federal, state, and private agencies and organizations that provide services to beneficiaries and recipients with disabilities including Community Rehabilitation Programs, Community Mental Health Centers, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Independent Living Centers, One Stop Centers and high schools. For more information, northern Indiana residents should call toll free 1-866-646-8161 and southern Indiana residents should call toll free 1-800-825-4733.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

The IEP is a written document required of all students in school who have been classified as needing special education programs or related services under Indiana Title 511, Article 7. The document should include the student’s present level of functioning in each identified needs area, a statement of annual goals for the students, a statement of appropriate short-term objectives with the evaluation approach and evaluation criteria for determining progress toward achievement of annual goals, a statement of any required related services and who will provide them, a statement of transition service needs (beginning at least by age 14), and a statement that Relates to the issue of least restrictive environment for the student relative to each of the programs and services to be provided.

Job Coach

See employment specialist.

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Medicaid

A health care program serving low-income persons with disabilties whose income and assets are below a specific level. Generally available to persons receiving SSI & SSI Work Incentives.

Medicaid Waiver

A process whereby a person eligible for Medicaid receives services in a community rather than in an institutional setting. Call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-986-3505 for more information. The Indiana Governor’s Planning Council for People with Disabilities has produced an informative booklet, Indiana Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waivers Services: A Guide for Consumers.

OneStop Center

Centers located throughout Indiana that connect employment, education, and training services into a network of resources located in a single location.

Person centered planning (PCP)

An array of planning approaches that tailor services and supports to meet the needs of the individual, as opposed to programs that try to fit individuals into available services.

Post-secondary education or training

Any education program beyond high school that has an academic, vocational, professional, or pre-professional focus is considered post-secondary education. This may include a specific class adapted to meet the person’s specific goal or interest. It may also include a vocational or educational course of study to pursue a certificate or degree.

Respite care

Respite refers to short-term, temporary care provided to people with disabilities in order that their families can take a break from the daily routine of caregiving. Unlike childcare, respite services may sometimes involve overnight care for an extended period of time.

Self-advocacy

The ability and opportunity to speak on behalf of one’s self.

Self-determination

The ability and the opportunity for persons to make decisions for themselves.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

The federal agency that oversees the provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and related work incentives.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

A monthly check provided to children of parents who have retired or become disabled and have no Social Security or for young people over age 18 if they have a disabling impairment that began before the age of 22. Young people may also earn SSDI benefit through their own work history.

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Stakeholder

One who has a share or an interest in transition services and student movement from high school to adult life.

Step Ahead Council

Step Ahead is a comprehensive, statewide process that provides a coordinated approach to deliver needed services to individuals, children and families in their communities. This process provides an effective way to channel resources so that each resource builds upon previous work accomplished at the local level, allowing greater responsiveness to Hoosier in need.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Pays monthly checks to people who are 65 or older, or blind, or have a disability and who have little personal property or income.

Transition coordinator

A person (or agency) who is responsible for assuring that planned transition services for a student with a disability are provided in a timely manner and in a way that complements other services.

Transition council

A representative group of persons at the local level who are organized to enhance the availability, accessibility, and quality of transition services. Interagency collaboration and team building offer service providers and community members the opportunity to exchange information, establish policies/referral procedures, share information/resources, and identify students in need of specific services and programs.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)

Provides comprehensive, coordinated, effective, efficient, and accountable services needed by eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, enter, engage in, and retain employment consistent with each individual’s strength, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and informed choice.

WorkOne Center

See OneStop Center

Indiana and National Transition Resources Indiana Resources ATTAIN (Assistive Technology Through Action in Indiana ) 1346 S. Lynhurst Drive, Suite 507 Indianapolis, IN 46241 (317) 486-8808 (800) 528-8246 Web: www.attaininc.org/ Bureau of Aging and In-Home Services Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services Indiana Family & Social Services Administration 402 W. Washington Street, Room W454 P.O. Box 7083 Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083 (317) 232-7000; (800) 545-7763 Web: www.state.in.us/fssa/elderly/aging/index.html Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services Indiana Family & Social Services Administration 402 W. Washington Street, Room W453 P.O. Box 7083 Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083 (317) 232-7842; (800) 545-7763 Web: www.state.in.us/fssa/servicedisabl/ddars.bdds.html Division of Mental Health and Addiction Indiana Family and Social Services Administration 402 W. Washington Street, Room W353 Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739 (317) 232-7845 Web: www.state.in.us/fssa/servicemental/dmh/index.html Division of Special Education Indiana Department of Education State House, Room 229 Indianapolis, IN 46204-2798 (317) 232-0570; (877) 851-4106 Web: www.indstate.edu/soe/iseas/dse.html Independent Living Centers: State Directory (800) 545-7763 ext. 21367 Web: http://www.in.gov/fssa/servicedisabl/vr/ilcenters.html

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Indiana Career and Post-Secondary Advancement Center (ICPAC) 2805 East Tenth Street Bloomington, IN 47408 (800) 992-2076 Web: http://www.icpac.indiana.edu Indiana Department of Workforce Development 10 North Senate Indianapolis, IN 46204 1-888-WorkOne Web: http://www.in.gov/dwd/ Indiana Governor’s Planning Council for People with Disabilities 143 West Market Street, Suite 404 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-7770; (317) 232-7771 (TTY) Web: http://www.state.in.us/gpcpd/ Indiana Institute on Disability and Community 2853 East Tenth Street Bloomington, IN 47408-2696 (812) 855-6508: (812) 855-9396 (TTY) Web: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu Indiana Parent Information Network, Inc. (IPIN) 4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 105 Indianaplis, IN 46205-1545 (317) 257-8683 Web: http://www.in.gov/ipin/ Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services 4701 N. Keystone Avenue, Suite 222 Indianapolis, IN 46205 (317) 722-5555; (800) 622-4845; (800) 838-1131 (TTY) Web: http://www.state.in.us/ipas Indiana State Department of Health Maternal and Child Health Children’s Special Health Care Services 2 N. Meridian Street, Section 7-B Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 233-5578 Web: http://www.in.gov/isdh/ IN*SOURCE Parent Training and Information Project 809 North Michigan Street South Bend, IN 46601-1036 (574) 234-7101; (800) 332-4433 (Voice/TDD) Web: http://www.in.gov/ipin/

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Office of Medicaid Planning and Policy Indiana Family & Social Services Administration 402 W. Washington Street, Room W 453 P.O. Box 7083 Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083 (800) 545-7763 Web: http://www.state.in.us/fssa/servicedisabl/medicaid/index.html Partnership for Assistive Technology with Indiana Schools (PATINS) 4730 West Gadsden Street Indianapolis, IN 46241 (317) 227-8544 Web: http://www.patinsproject.com/ Step Ahead Bureau of Child Development Indiana Division of Family and Children 402 W. Washington Street, Room W 386 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-1144; (800) 441-7837 Web: http://www.state.in.us/fssa/children/stepahead/index.html Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Administration 402 W. Washington Street, Room W 453 P.O. Box 7083 Indianapolis, IN 46207-7083 (317) 232-1319; (800) 545-7763 Web: http://www.state.in.us/fssa/servicedisabl/vr/index.html National Resources Association on Higher Education and Disability University of Massachusetts Boston 100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125-3393 (617) 287-3880 (Voice); (617) 287-3882 (TTY) Web: www.ahead.org Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE) 1627 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23220 (804) 278-9187; 804-278-9377 (Fax) Web: www.apse.org/ The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) 1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22201

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703-620-3660; 703-264-9494 (Fax) Web: www.cec.sped.org/ Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) DCDT-CEC 1920 Association Drive Reston, VA 20191-1589 614-292-7069; 800-848-4815 ext. 2-7069 Web: www.ed.uiuc.edu/SPED/dcdt ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education Ohio State University Center on Education and Training for Employment 1900 Kenny Road Columbus, OH 43210-1090 (800) 848-4815, ext. 26991 Web: www.ericacve.org Great Lakes Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center University of IL/Chicago Department on Disability & Human Development 1640 West Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60608 (312) 413-1407 (V/TTY); (800) 949-4232 (V/TTY) Web: www.adagreatlakes.org Heath Resource Center The George Washington University 2121 K Street, NW Suite 220 Washington, DC 20037 (202) 973-0904 (Voice/TTY); (800) 544-3284 (Toll Free) Web: www.heath.gwu.edu JAN: Job Accommodation Network West Virginia University P.O. Box 6080 Morgantown, WV 26506-6080 1-800-526-7234 (V/TTY) Web: www.jan.wvu.edu/english/contact.htm National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHY) P.O. Box 1492 Washington, DC 20013-1492 (800) 695-0285; (202) 884-8200 (Voice/TTY) E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.ici2.umn.edu/ntn/tsc/

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National Transition Network Institute on Community Integration University of Minnesota Patee Hall 150 Pillsbury Drive, SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612) 624-1062 Web: http://www.ici2.umn.edu/ntn/tsc Midwest Regional Parent Center Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) Bank One Building 165 West Center Street, Suite 302 Marion, OH 43302-3741 (740) 382-5452 (Voice); (740) 383-6421 (Fax) E-mail: [email protected] Margaret Burley, Regional Director CO, IL, IA, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI PACER Center 8161 Normandale Blvd. Minneapolis, MN 55437 (952) 838-9000 (Voice); (952) 838-0190 (TTY); (612) 827-3065 (Fax); (800) 537-2237 (Toll free nationally) Web: www.pacer.org Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports (VCU-RRTC) Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research & Training Center P.O. Box 842011 Richmond, VA 23284-2011 (804) 828-1851 Web: www.vcu.edu/rrtcweb Social Security Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 1801 L. Street, NW Washington, DC 20507 (800) 772-1213 Web: www.ssa.gov The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) 29 W. Susquehanna Ave., Suite 210 Baltimore, MD 21204 (410) 828-8274; (410) 828-6706 (Fax) Web: www.tash.org

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Statewide Community Transition Councils Directory - IIDC · Statewide Community Transition Councils Directory . ... Linda Sturtevant . ... includes the county (or counties)