Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Transition Toolkit: Lessons Learned on Supporting Youth with Disabilities
Rachel Stewart, Youth Program Manager
Overview Project Background
Youth Transition Toolkit website design and features Contents Topics covered
Lesson Plans and Activities Overview of the format and materials
Pilot Site Overview
Demonstration of website
Funded by a Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – administered by San Diego State University’s Interwork Institute.
Overall goal: increase employment of youth and adults with disabilities
Numerous projects geared towards youth with disabilities Goal of empowering youth, developing self-
advocacy skills, and providing access to information and resources
Partner with a variety of state departments and non-profit organizations
www.TKNLyouth.info
Website Development and RefinementYouth with disabilitiesSubject matter experts:
Communities of Practice, CA Dept. of Ed, School District Personnel, Transition Alliance
Dept. of Rehabilitation CA Foundation for Independent Living Centers and
State Independent Living Council
ContentTarget audience is YOUTH!Tips for Parents Information relevant to teachers,
transition specialists, and service providers
Youth Transition Toolkit Website
Chapters include:EducationIndependent LivingEmploymentFinancesHealthcareSocial/Recreation
HTML website pages and downloadable PDFs of each “chapter” and worksheet
Youth Transition Toolkit Website
Empowering youth while in high schoolPerson-centered transition planning,
leading their own IEP/ITP, etc. Information to assist in the transition to Post-secondary education: community college, 4-year university, or vocational schoolUnderstanding the differences between
high school and college
Education Chapter
Background on disability history, independent living movement
Information on accessible/affordable housing, transportation, and personal assistance services
Worksheets assisting with goal setting and checklists to ensure preparation for independence
Independent Living Chapter
Career planning - Choosing a career and job search resources
The impact of employment on benefits
Job accommodations and disability disclosure
Resume writing and successful interviewing techniques and preparation
Building work experience, including volunteerism and internship programs
Personal assistant services at work
Employment Chapter
Tips on money management, including basic budgeting, how to balance a checkbook, pay bills, etc.
Credit cards and how to avoid getting into debt
Worksheets on financial planning and budgeting
Tips for parents on teaching their child to start managing their own finances
Finances Chapter
Worksheets on handling one’s own healthcare needs
Keeping track of medications, making doctors appointments and communicating with the doctor
Insurance information, including Medi-Cal, healthcare through employment and continuance of coverage under the family’s plan
Tips for parents on helping their child transition into independently handling their own healthcare needs
Healthcare Chapter
Clubs/activities specifically designed for youth with disabilities
Available adaptive sports programs
Ways to become involved in the disability community
Tips on traveling with a mobility disability
Social/Recreation Chapter
Lesson Plans have been developed with activities for facilitators to lead in the classroom or in workshops for youth participants
Activities on the six topics covered by the Toolkit (Education, Employment, Independent Living, etc.)
All materials located in the secure section of the Youth Transition Toolkit website – currently will only be available to pilot sitesWill be available to everyone by June
2012
Lesson Plans
Main goal of Lesson Plan goals is to lead activities designed to:Empower youthBuild self advocacy and self determination
skillsEncourage youth to start thinking about and
planning for their future Lead youth to www.tknlyouth.info to find
additional resources which can help successfully transition into adult life
Complete flexibility in how you choose to use lesson plans:Lead only certain activities or lesson plan
chaptersModify activities
Lesson Plans
“Lesson Plan Overview” Document Comprehensive summary on the lesson plans
and tips for how to utilize them Tips on enhancing lesson plans/activities:
Inviting guest speakers “Things are about to change” Video Vignettes Youth/student co-facilitator
“Workshop Planning Tips” Guide for community-based organizations on
how to organize workshops – information on: Participant recruitment strategies Tips for success: finding a youth co-facilitator,
providing food, assisting with transportation, accessible venues, etc.
Lesson Plans
Activity format: ObjectiveSuggested time frameFormatMaterials neededVocabulary/termsSuggested facilitator preparatory activitiesCreating contextProcedureClosure
Lesson Plans
Me, Myself and My IEP Presentation and discussion on the purpose and
importance of an IEP
The Future’s Wide Open... Filling out worksheets to prepare for leading their own
IEP/transition planning meeting
Planning For College Learning about university and community college
supports, preparing for the transition to college and requesting accommodations
Expanding My (Training) Horizons Researching vocational training options other than a
traditional college setting, including ROP, trade schools, internships, and volunteerism
Education Lesson Plan Activities
The Untold History Presentation on disability history (including the
independent living and disability rights movements) and discussion of additional advocacy efforts
Models of Disability Understanding the difference between the medical
and social models of disability and how these impact how we perceive disability
Thinking About Disability Thinking about how disability has impacted their
life (both positively and negatively) and learning about disability as a shared experience
Independent Living Lesson Plan Activities
Living on my Own and Reaching my Goals Understanding and planning for what steps need to
be taken to live independently, including cost of living and finding personal care attendants
Setting Goals Learning about different programs and services to
assist with gaining independence (regional center ILS, IHSS, Independent Living Centers, etc.), and setting goals/next steps to transition into living independently
Independent Living Lesson Plan Activities, Cont.
Work it Out Understanding the difference between a job and a career,
and thinking about why going to work is personally important
Connecting the Dots… Thinking about barriers to employment, and learning about
services which can help break down some of these barriers (i.e. Department of Rehabilitation, Regional Centers, One-Stop Career Centers)
Employment Rights! Presentation on employment and anti-discrimination laws;
personal planning related to disability disclosure and requesting accommodations
Employment Lesson Plan Activities
Resume Writing Workshop to begin the process of writing a resume
and learning about different resume styles
Employment Shouldn’t Be in Jeopardy! Participants test their newly acquired knowledge
around employment-related topics by playing a jeopardy game
Employment Lesson Plan Activities, Cont.
“Money Smart for Young Adults” Curriculum Flexible FREE curriculum designed by the FDIC to
help youth learn the basics around money management
Disability Benefits 101: Planning your Future Learning how to navigate the Disability Benefits
101 website and going through an interactive benefits calculator demonstration
Work Incentive Programs: Working it! Understanding basic information about Social
Security cash benefit programs and how these programs interact with paid employment; learning about benefits planning best practices
Finances Lesson Plan Activities
Learning to Manage Your Healthcare Activity to help youth develop ideas on how they
can begin handling their health-related needs
Creating a Healthcare Journal Creating a personal healthcare journal as a way to
track disability-related symptoms and quickly access all healthcare information in one place
Communicating with Your Doctor Preparing for the transition from a pediatrician to
an adult physician by practicing having a conversation with a new doctor
Healthcare Lesson Plan Activities
Sports, Hobbies, and Clubs - Oh my! Sharing current activities and brainstorming how
other activities can be modified to be made more accessible; learning about social and recreational opportunities available in their community
Do you like to move it, move it? Viewing a video about a guitar player born without
arms, and then trying out adaptive ways to play musical instruments
You’re Trippin! Planning a day trip by utilizing online resources and
public transportation
Social/Recreation Lesson Plan Activities
30 Pilot Sites testing Toolkit website and lesson plan materials: High Schools/districts
Includes Workability I, Transition Partnership Programs, and special education/adult transition programs
College 2 Career Program Independent Living Centers Family Empowerment Centers Center for Excellence in Developmental
Disabilities Other Community-Based Organizations
providing transition services
Pilot Sites
www.tknlyouth.info
Website and Lesson Plans Demonstration
For questions or to request information on lesson plan activities/materials contact:John Kerr, Youth Program Specialist
916-319-9563 [email protected]
Rachel Stewart, Youth Program Manager 916-319-8519 [email protected]
Contact information
