YUMA COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE IN TRANSITION

(YCOPT)Working together for a better community

A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE ON TRANSITIONSpecific Purpose:

Provide guidance to anyone working with transitioning students to better create “linkages” to services and supports

Introduce parents and individuals with disabilities to what they can expect during the transition process

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

State and local stakeholders come together around the shared interest of improving school and post-school outcomes for youth 

Together, the “community of practice” address issues such as:

meaningful youth involvement and success increasing post-secondary education options improving employment outcomes outreach to the child welfare system Improve work with juvenile justice collaborate and partner with the mental health systems addressing community needs (like accessible transportation)

YCOPT MEMBERS Yuma Union School District Rehabilitation Services

Administration/Vocational Rehabilitation Division of Developmental Disabilities Raising Special Kids S.M.I.L.E Cenpatico Goodwill Achieve Arizona Western College ABRiO Care RISE

Yuma Union High School District #70 Special Education Services

Enabling all Students to Reach Their Full Potential

The Yuma Union High School District offers a full continuum of services for students in grades 9-12, living in the district, who qualify for special

education. We provide special education services based on the needs of each individual student.

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To be eligible for Special Education services, a student:

1.has been evaluated and is found to qualify for one of the 14 categories of a disability

And

2.has been determined by a multi-disciplinary team that special education and related services are required

IDEA 2004 CFR 34 § 300.301, ARS § 15-761(2)

Special Education Eligibility

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• coordinated set of activities, including a course of study, that are designed to be a results-oriented process

• plan that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the student

• plan that is intentionally designed to facilitate the student’s movement from school to post-school activities

• plan with outcomes based on individual needs, taking into account the student’s strengths, preferences, and interests

]

IDEA 2004 CFR § 300.43

Special Education Transition Services are Defined as a…

Rehabilitation Services AdministrationVocational Rehabilitation

Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration works with individuals with disabilities to achieve their goals

for employment and independence.

Eligibility Requirements: An individual:

◦ has a physical, mental or emotional impairment that results in a substantial barrier to employment

◦ is able to benefit in terms of an employment outcome

◦ wants to work and requires VR services to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment

Rehabilitation Act Section 7(20)(B)  

Vocational RehabilitationEligibility

Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed based on the disability-related needs of the individual for his/her specific vocational goal

Vocational Counseling & Guidance Assessments Career Exploration Information about Community Resources Work Readiness Activities On-the-Job Training Community College or University Education Vocational or Technical Training

Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Transition Students

Contact local Yuma VR office (928)247-8880 and sign up for an orientation

Visit our website for program information and watch the youth video www.azdes.gov/RSA

Ask your transition teacher/casemanager to refer you to VR

Get Started withVocational Rehabilitation

Individuals with developmental disabilities are valued members of their communities and are involved and participating in their communities based on their own choices

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DDD Vision

Meets diagnostic and functional criteria for age in one of the following categories:

- Intellectual Disability - Cerebral Palsy - Epilepsy - Autism

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DDD Eligibility Criteria

• Work directly with the individuals and their families

• Help identify individual needs, resources and strengths

• Work with identified team members to develop an

Individual Support Plan (ISP)

• Assist in obtaining supports and services

• Monitor services and supports

• Provide information regarding community resources

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DDD Support Coordinators

Individual Supported Employment

Group Supported Employment

Center- Based Employment

Employment Support Aide

Transportation to Employment

Types of DDD Employment Supports and Services

Employment Services for Individuals with Disabilities

Recognizing the ABILITY within a disABILITY

Reinventing Lives through Employment

Our Mission: Empower the individuals we serve to live their lives to their greatest potential.

Our Vision: We lead in the development and delivery of innovative programs designed to strengthen and build stronger communities.

Contracts & Services - Federal AbilityOne: Janitorial, Grounds, Inventory & Inventory

Management. Department of Homeland Security (Border Patrol) Yuma,

Wellton, Blythe, Ajo, I-8/Hwy 78/ Hwy 95 checkpoints Yuma Proving Grounds (Y.P.G) Customs & Border Protection- Air Operations

Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Housing for 154 individuals with Severe Mental Illness Transitional Housing Permanent Housing Department of Commerce Shelter Plus Care (Yuma & La Paz County)

Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) throughout AZ Center Based Employment (CBE) Group Supportive Employment Individual Supported Employment Employment Support Aide Transportation Day Treatment & Training Adult Program Cooperative School Program

Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Yuma, La Paz, Mohave Counties Work Adjustment Training Supported Employment Job Development & Placement

Department of Rehabilitation: California Vocational Rehabilitation On the Job Training Work Adjustment Training

Contracts & Services - StateArizona Department of Economics Security (DES):

ACHIEVE Provides the Following Services:

Custodial Bulk Mailing Grounds Maintenance Document Archiving/Imaging Secured Document Destruction Laundry Services Kitting/Fulfillment/Assembly Car Wash/Detail Vending Machine Services

ABRiO Care Provide opportunities for

individuals with disabilities to open doors to new skills and life experiences.

Provide attendant care, respite, and habilitation services.

Develop care plans based upon the individuals needs with the family.

Trained staff.

Licensed by the State.

ABRiO means to “Open.”

ABRiO Care Pre-match providers

welcome. We will hire and train your friend or family member to provide services to your loved one.

Staff fingerprinted and background checked.

Training includes: CPR, First Aid, Article 9, and the DCW (approximately 60 hours).

Habilitation training. Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Required

ABRiO Care Habilitation – teaching of

daily living skills.

PECS – picture exchange communication system.

Social Stories – using stories to shape behavior.

Respite – at home or in the community.

DDD Provider.

Communication is key!

Location:183 E 24th Street, Ste 7Yuma, Arizona

Phone:(928) 314-9961

Teri RademacherArea Supervisor

Monica MedinaStaffing Coordinator

R 3, 370 of those jobs were found in Yuma County

twitter.com/yumagoodwill * 8,879 of these were served in Yuma

*

Supporting families of children with disabilities or

special health needs in Arizona

What is Raising Special Kids?

Mission Statement

• To improve the lives of children with disabilities and special health needs by providing parents with information, training and support.

• We do this so parents can become effective advocates and encourage their children to successfully navigate through today’s world.

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Our Services

• We work hard to keep our services at no cost to families

• Available in English and Spanish

• Support families of diverse culture, structure and background

Comprehensive Family Resource Center

• Serving all of Arizona with staff in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson

• 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization

• Founded in 1979

• Serve families with children with the full range of disabilities and special health care needs

• Staffed by family members of children with disabilities and special health care needs

SMILE1931 S. Arizona Avenue Suite 4

Vocational Computer Training

Information Access/ Technology

Self-Advocacy/Self Empowerment

Mobility and Transportation

Community/Social Participation

Home Modification/Emergencies Repairs

www.smile-az.org

SMILE Services Maximizing Independent Living & Empowerment

Independent Living Center Programs

SMILE Independent Living Center provides the catalyst for community change and life altering

experiences and thereby empowers individuals with significant disabilities, throughout Yuma and La Paz

Counties:

To function independently

To live safely and with dignity

To enjoy full access to one’s communities

AccessABILITY Resource Services

Understand your Genius

Find Your Greatness – N

ike

MissionThe AccessABILITY Resource Services

office works in partnership with students with disabilities, faculty and

staff to remove barriers in the educational process through design and accommodation. We recognize disability as an aspect of diversity

and promote a culture of inclusion for all diverse groups.

Disability Part of the Diverse Campus

O Recognizing the value of individuals with disabilities and their place on the tapestry of our campus is an important part of building an inclusive campus.

Sources and Forms of Documentation Acceptable sources of documentation for substantiating a student’s disability

and request for particular accommodations can take a variety of forms:

O Primary Documentation: Student’s Self-report

O The student is a vital source of information regarding how he or she may be “limited by impairment.” A student’s narrative of his or her experience of disability, barriers, and effective and ineffective accommodations is an important tool which, when structured by interview or questionnaire and interpreted, may be sufficient for establishing disability and a need for accommodation.

O Secondary Documentation: Observation and Interaction

O The impressions and conclusions formed by higher education disability professionals during interviews and conversations with students or in evaluating the effectiveness of previously implemented or provisional accommodations are important forms of documentation. Experienced disability professionals should feel comfortable using their observations of students’ language, performance and strategies as an appropriate tool in validating student narrative and self-report.

O Tertiary documentation: Information From External or Third Parties

O Documentation from external sources may include educational or medical records, reports and assessments created by health care providers, school psychologists, teachers, or the educational system. This information is inclusive of documents that reflect education and accommodation history, such as Individual Education Program (IEP), Summary Of Performance (SOP), and teacher observations. External documentation will vary in its relevance and value depending on the original context, credentials of the evaluator, the level of detail provided, and the comprehensiveness of the narrative. However, all forms of documentation are meaningful and should be mined for pertinent information.

O http://ahead.org/resources/documentation_guidance

Who we are» Since July 2005, Cenpatico has provided services to

behavioral health recipients through a contract with the Arizona Department of Health Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services (ADHS/DBHS).

» We currently serve as the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) for the counties of:˃ Gila, Pinal, Yuma, La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Graham and

Greenlee.

Who can receive services through Cenpatico?

» People who have Medicaid through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)

» People who have been designated as someone with a Serious Mental Illness

» People who have substance use disorders (funding limited)

» Anyone is eligible for Crisis Services

How to access services

» You can contact our Customer Care Representatives at 866-495-6738.» If you have an urgent need, please call the Nursewise Crisis Line at

866-495-6735.

» You can also call for assistance: Maria Chavoya 928.210.2033 mchavoya@cenpatico.com 2755 S. 4th Avenue, Bldg. 3, Ste. 103 Yuma, AZ 85364

“Together we can inspire hope for a better life”

Where can I find a list of your intake providers?

» You can find a list of providers by going to our website: http://www.cenpaticoaz.com/find-provider/

» Other Resources.» http://www.cenpaticoaz.com/» http://www.cenpaticoaz.com/find-provider/» http://www.cenpaticoaz.com/participants/mem

ber_handbook/