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5th Annual IL Statewide Transition Conference Registration Information:
Program Information
| November 8 | November 9 | November 10 |
UPDATE: Presentations and Handouts are now available on the Program Information section of the web site in PDF!
If accessible formats are needed, please contact the conference planners.
Monday, November 9th, kicked off the 5th annual transition conference and offers both morning and afternoon sessions geared toward students, parents and professionals working with youth and young adults with disabilities and/or special health care needs.
The featured keynote speaker was Jonathan Edison, MEd, the quintessential example, teacher and motivator of success-centered technologies. Jonathan provided individuals with strategies that empower them to overcome obstacles and achieve UNSTOPPABLE success. Jonathan presented on The 5 A's of Success: Academics, Attitude, Attendance, Achievement & Asking for Help. Jonathan captured the audiences hearts and minds as he unlocked the keys to overcoming obstacles that students and parents face in the 21st century. More importantly, the presentation enlightened, inspired and motivated the attendees to reach for the impossible!
Over 50 exhibitors were available in the Exhibit Hall and the College & Health Fair on Monday. Exhibitors were available to share services, resources and information with students, parents and professionals working with youth and young adults with disabilities and/or special health care needs.
A Welcome Reception was hosted on Monday, November 9th, to provide conference participants the opportunity to network with colleagues as well as meet new friends and associates. Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages were offered from 5 - 7pm.
Monday Sessions:
8:30 - 9:45 AM Sessions | 10:15 - 11:30 AM Sessions | 2:00 - 3:15 PM Sessions | 3:30 - 4:45 PM Sessions
Monday, November 9th
8:30 - 9:45 AM Sessions
A1: Education Track
Career and Technical Education: A Mechanism to Support
Successful Transition for All Students
Speaker: Kat Oertle
The major themes of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) are intended to provide students with the academic and technical skills necessary to succeed in the 21st Century knowledge and skills based economy. Collaboration is necessary to actualize Perkins IV, thus improving transition success especially for students who have been historically left out. In this session, implications of the national, state, and local CTE programs of study implementation will be discussed.
A2: Education Track
Modifying the Self-Directed IEP Curriculum
Speaker: Nicole Uphold
Previous research using the self-directed IEP curriculum included students with mild disabilities (i.e. learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and mild mental retardation. Four students with moderate cognitive disabilities were taught using a modified version of the curriculum to lead their IEP meetings. Modifications included a picture checklist and a PowerPoint presentation. The learning objective for this session is for teachers to modify the Self-Directed IEP curriculum to meet the needs of their students.
A3: Community Track
Overview of the TIP System: Evidence Informed Practices in Engaging
Youth in Transition with Mental Health Needs Across Systems and Life Domains
Speaker: Marc Fagan
The transition into adulthood represents a particularly challenging
period for young adults with mental illness and is complicated
further due to the absence of services or lack of service coordination.
This session will highlight the unique challenges for youth with
mental illness in Illinois, and then provide an overview of the TIP system.
Participants will leave with a better understanding and perhaps a change
in thinking, of how to engage young people across their transition domains
as a parent, teacher or service provider.
A4: Community Track
Self Advocacy 101
Speakers: John Lipinski, Jason Nosbaum, Cathy Christensen
SACNI (Self Advocacy Council of Northern Illinois) began in March 2006
in McHenry County and is an independent group of self advocates, their
allies and an advisor. We are dedicated to the belief that all people
with disabilities are capable of and should be directing their own lives.
We will describe how we started SACNI, how we continue to advocate, why
self advocacy skills are critically important and how you can start a
self advocacy group in your own area.
A5: Community Track
Teen Cert in the Community
Speakers: Don Portzen, Kris Kroll
The purpose of Teen Cert is to assist the community during a crisis situation. This session will demonstrate how the youth learn the necessary steps to apply the knowledge to real situations. The learning objectives are to prepare the youth for an emergency both at school and in the home, personal protection, team work, crisis response in school situations, life saving skills and prepare them for life long learning.
A6: Employment Track
Thinking Outside the Box in Transition Planning
Speakers: Matt and Eric Wilkerson, Carol Wilkerson, Lisa Bicocchi, Kay
Hymel
Matt and Eric Wilkerson, 20 year old twins with Asperger’s Syndrome, discuss their transition journey with support from their mother, their case managers, and vocational teacher. Included will be a discussion of barriers and challenges along with triumphs and growth. Learning objectives will include insight into the needs and perspectives of young adults on the autism spectrum, as well as looking into the creative outside-the-box approach necessary to handle their transition issues.
A7: Health Track
What is a Medical Home and How Can It Help Me?
Speakers: Rita Klemm, Donna Scherer, Bob Cook
This session will introduce the medical home model, which emphasizes the importance of access to quality healthcare for children and youth with special needs, provided by primary care physicians. In the medical home model, primary care providers work in partnership with families to meet all the needs of the child and youth. Participants will be able to describe the benefits of having a medical home and how to work with their providers to create a better partnership.
A8: Health Track
We Can Do It: A Workshop on Self Advocacy for Young People with
Epilepsy
Speaker: Sarah Hays
This session seeks to encourage and empower young people with epilepsy to take on the role of self-advocate. The main objectives of the workshop are: for young people to understand the importance of being their own advocate; for young people to develop practical skills which will help them assert themselves; for young people to start separating themselves and their abilities from their disability and any accommodations they might need.
A9: Education Track
Helping Students with Disabilities to be the Master of their Success
from High School to College
Speaker: Debbie Franzen
Harper College is committed to the transition of students with disabilities. The College Awareness program is designed for high school students with LD/ADD within the Harper district with the purpose of informing them of the programs and services available. The transition support continues through the participation in a case management program that includes enrollment in a first year experience course. Participants will learn how to implement a comprehensive program on their campus.
A10: Employment Track
Planning for Your Financial Future: The Key to Understanding State
and Federal Programs When You Work
Speakers: John Spears and Charles Killen
This session will cover how state and federal programs support students as they go to work. We will discuss state healthcare benefits, how SSA and SSI are affected by working, the ticket to work program, and how to get individual benefit counseling to make important decisions about your financial future.
A11: Education Track
Transitioning Difficult to Transition Students
Speakers: Beth Conran, Dr. Laura Mann, Breann Whittford, Cheryl Fredrickson,
D. Thurman
Transition from school to life is difficult for most. Transitioning for the special education student can seem impossible. This session will focus on the steps one can take to improve transitioning outcomes. The Menta Group has over 35 years experience preparing students with severe and profound disabilities to be college-ready, career-ready, and citizenship-ready. The presentation will focus on developing and implementing a functional transition plan through a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for the future, giving hope where many have given up, living the motto of “We never give up”!
A12 Internet Café
Resourceful web-based services including Illinois Life Span, disabilityWorks, Illinois State Assistance Commission & Illinois WorkNet will be available with assistance to navigate and learn more about services and resources provided.
Monday, November 9th
10:15 - 11:30 AM Sessions
B1: Community Track
Take It From Here: Rehabilitation’s Critical Role in Transition
Speakers: Kat Oertle, Tony Plotner, John Trach
The ability to establish and sustain long-term links with employers and community members is dependent on effective collaboration practices. These practices are critical for successful facilitation of students’ transition from secondary education. The purpose of this session is to share the findings of three multiple state studies that focus on rehab professionals’ points of view concerning transition services and interagency collaboration, transition competencies, and professional preparation for delivering transition services. Implications will be presented
B2: Health Track
Transition from Homebound to School
Speaker: Lynda Mayster
Students who are hospitalized due to medical or emotional conditions demonstrate difficulty reentering their school environment. Some schools offer minimal support and expect students to pick up where they left off. Other schools assume students who were hospitalized are too ill to return to school and should continue their education at home. Discussion will focus on strategies for reintegrating or returning students from homebound to school. Participants will learn that one size does not fit all and various models and plans will be discussed. The presenter will provide examples of student reintegration/transition from acute care hospitals and treatment centers.
B3: Education Track
Education & Careers Pathways: A Transition Educational Program
Speakers: Schoen Aldrich & Students: Christine Galante, Nick Soloumou,
Vince Izquierdo
The Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM) and McHenry County College (MCC) have developed a model college program for youth with disabilities that helps prepares young adults for transition from high school to college academics. Students will describe how additional support, while taking credit courses, have led to their success.
B4: Community Track
What Students with disABILITIES have to say about Transition to
Independent Living, Work and Adult Health Care
Speakers: Micah
Fialka Feldman, Mallory
Cyr, Bridget
Brown, Adam
Swanson and Lilliana
Lopez
Adolescents will discuss their experiences moving from school to work, transitioning to independent living, leaving pediatric providers and obtaining adult oriented health care; the changes in responsibilities; provide feedback to peers, families and professionals on ways to improve the transition process.
B5: Education Track
There are no IEPs in College
Speaker: Susy Woods
This session will touch on the differences between services that students in high schools are entitled to and those in college that are not an entitlement. The workshop will also touch on what students can expect on the college level, ways to prepare for and choose a college that can accommodate their disability and the student’s rights and responsibilities.
B6: Education Track
Increasing a Students Independence and Academic Success with Assistive
Devices
Speaker: Cilla Sluga
This session will focus on making technology decisions in the IEP process. Participants will also be able to try out low-tech devices and there will be a demonstration of text-to-speech software for students with reading disabilities. Presenter will touch on a grant that IATP has in working with four area schools using the Text-Help software program. This session will help parents, teachers, and students understand when and how to choose assistive devices that can improve a student’s chance to be successful in academics.
B7: Health Track
Creating Your Own Electronic Care Notebook
Speakers: Rita Klemm, Donna Scherer, Bob Cook
This session will demonstrate how adolescents and youth can begin to manage their own health care by creating and maintaining their own personal care notebook and using technology to do it.
B8: Education Track
In Step with Next Steps
Speakers: Kathryn
Kaniewski, Carol
Wilson, Ronnie
Barclay, Stephen
Wilson
Next Steps is a volunteer team that helps parents and caregivers plan transition and advocate for their children and youth with disabilities. Next Steps trainers and workshops model the philosophy of collaboration among parents, self-advocates and professionals. Next Steps teams and members believe in the four critical goals of transition: employment and education, independent living, social and interpersonal relationships and self-advocacy. This session will provide the participant with information on what Next Steps is and how to become involved with and form a Next Steps team.
B9: Employment Track
The Journey Into Work of a Student with Asperger’s Syndrome
Speakers: Anna Schaefer and Carol Schaefer
Anna is a 24 year old woman with Asperger’s and mild cerebral palsy. She will describe what she learned at her first ‘real’ job as an intern at the Springfield Center for Independent Living, which she did for an applied studies class at UIS, from where she received her B.A. in May. She will talk about her challenges, successes, and what she learned about the social situations at work for a person with Asperger’s.
B10: Employment Track
The IPS Initiative: Illinois’ Promise of Careers and Recovery
for Youth with Severe Mental Illness.
Speaker: Gene Oulvey
Extensive research and field practice has demonstrated that evidence-based supported employment, also known as IPS, is the most effective set of vocational and treatment services for assisting adults and working age youth with severe mental illness to have the careers that they choose and the health and well being that they deserve. Session participants will become familiar with the array of resources that comprise IPS, with the Illinois IPS network that supports and makes available these resources and with the efforts within the Network to enhance the accessibility of these services to transition age youth and to the families and communities that support them.
B11: Employment Track
The Next Level of Business Partnership: Changing Employer Attitudes
on Disability to Increase Employment of Transition Students
Speaker: Becky White
Learn a new method in connecting with the other ‘client’ in the vocational process: employers. In partnership with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, Parents Alliance Employment Project collaborated with WorkNet partners to connect with and provide disability training to employers. Employers were connected to Vocational Rehab Agencies to fill job vacancies. Transition students were introduced to partner agency, the WorkNet center for the best employment resources. Hear an employer’s testimony on the program.
B12 Internet Café
Resourceful web-based services including Illinois Life Span, disabilityWorks, Illinois State Assistance Commission & Illinois WorkNet will be available with assistance to navigate and learn more about services and resources provided.
Monday, November 9th
2:00 - 3:15 PM Sessions
C1: Health Track
Mission Creativity: Unique Approaches to Transitioning
Speakers: Sara Klaas, Patricia Mucia, Rebecca Vacco
This session will share unique programs that have been successful in a pediatric facility including a summer employment program, an educational course, an independent living program, a games group and hospital based camps focused on enhancing independence. It will identify key components of transition for adolescents with special healthcare needs, understand the importance of creative programming in the healthcare setting, identify unique programs that may be replaced to enhance the transition services.
C2: Education Track
Pathways to Self Advocacy Project for Young Adults in Transition
to Life after High School: Putting the Voice Into Self-advocacy
Speakers: Karen Steffan, Karrie Pece, Bridget Brown, Julie Mancini
This session will present the two-year self advocacy project developed to serve young adults ages 16-24. Project partners were the WSCCIF, LADSE high school districts and Helping Hand. Year One: Participants learned about self-advocacy in relationship to their needs. A “Self Advocacy Academy” was designed as a two week summer program where all participants learned about the areas of advocacy. Year Two: participants developed and worked on 5 goals based on the 10 self advocacy areas. Participants will learn how to set up a self advocacy program at their school/workshop inclusive of a self advocacy academy.
C3: Education Track
Who’s on First? Starting College... Running the Bases with Admissions
and Accommodations
Speakers: Lisa Egner, Joy Barish, Iris Hansen
Transitioning from a K-12 environment to college is complex. Parents and students attending this session will get information on how to get a quality student-college match. They will learn what to look for in a college, how to analyze a good student accommodation/services match, what colleges expect from students and what is realistic to expect in college.
C4: Community Track
LEGislative Up….A Call to Action for a Successful Transition!
Speakers: Michelle Bolden, Consuelo Puente, Stacy Yusim
Learn how to get a "leg up" on the future by becoming a strong advocate for person-centered supports in Illinois that truly facilitate a successful transition from high school. You’ll brainstorm about personal strengths and values; career preferences and just-in-time supports. Get inspired with emerging resources including legislative advocacy, micro-enterprises, micro-boarding, home-based services, person-centered planning, PASS plans and more. Equip for Equality is the only comprehensive cross-disability advocacy organization serving people throughout Illinois.
C5: Education Track
Using Technology to Promote Self-Determination among Youth with Developmental
Disabilities: Project MY VOICE
Speakers: Traci Van Laarhoven-Myers, Toni Van Laarhoven, Heather Johnson,
Justin Olson, Katie Neary, Danielle Kos, Christina Finnen
The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of a project that provides training materials and instruction for pre-service teachers, in-service educators and parents to assist youth with developmental disabilities to create multimedia presentations that reflect their dreams for the future. Through these presentations, students communicate their needs and desires and are able to participate more fully in their IEP or transition planning meetings. Outcome date and materials will be shared with participants.
C6: Community Track
Through The Same The Door: Learning and Living with my Friends and Family
Speaker: Micah
Fialka-Feldman
Since elementary school grade, Micah has been fully included in general
education classes. Through the use of a power point and video clips, Micah
will proudly describe what supports were helpful to him to be successfully
and effectively included, such as Circle of Friends, peer tutors, technology,
accommodations, etc. He will also talk about what helped him become a
strong advocate. The audience will learn new ideas, resources, and how
to build networks of support. In addition, information about college for
students with intellectual disabilities will be provided including national
trends and informational materials. At this session you will witness
how Micah’s journey empowers us to re-examine what we believe is
possible.
C7: Health Track
Transition Touchpoints: Paths to Adult Health Insurance Coverage
Speakers: Faye Manaster, Roseann Slaght, Deb Fornoff
As youth with special health care needs transition to adulthood, maintaining and/or obtaining adequate health insurance coverage is of utmost importance. However today’s challenging economic times often can result in new insurance coverage-related complexities which have a direct impact on transition planning. Participants will be able to identify the 4 major paths to health insurance coverage for youth and adults with special needs; understand the eligibility and application processes for both public and private health insurance options; delineate the roles and responsibilities of youth and their families in seeking health insurance options; and integrating health coverage goals and timelines into global transition planning activities.
C8: Community Track
Transitioning from School to Life-College Ready, Career Ready, and Citizenship Ready! The 3-C's from a Kids Perspective
Speakers: Beth Conran, Ken Carwell and Students
The Menta Group has developed a curriculum for students that focuses on transitioning students from school to life, preparing students to be College Ready, Career Ready, and Citizenship Ready (The 3 C’s). Student presenters from The Menta Group schools will discuss the 3 C’s as it relates to their day-to-day activities. Topics to be covered will include academics, vocational training on-site and off including culinary arts, construction, auto, media, nursing home health aide, etc., and service learning activities. Participants will be provided a question and answer period with the students and staff. Schools that will be presenting include Fox Tech, Aurora Education Center, Country Club Hills, Hillside Academy, Hillside East, Park Forest Academy, and Lake Shore Academy.
C9: Employment Track
How to Obtain Employment Using the Internet
Speakers: Adrienne Nelson, Amarilis DeLeon
This session will provide strategies to assist youth with utilizing internet resources on how to identify job opportunities online; how to enhance opportunities for jobs; how to market your job skills in order to convince employers that you have the necessary job skills and how to avoid pitfalls.
C10 Education Track
Transition Planning and a New IEP Process: The Paradigm Shift
Speaker: Matt
Cohen
The session will cover how IDEA 2004 has increased the importance of transition planning and that the IEP be driven by that transition plan. Attendees will be able to identify the new changes in legislation, understand the affects of those changes on the IEP process and identify new outcomes for planning, based on those changes.
C11: Employment Track
Broad Spectrum Vocational Training
Speakers: Marcia Schwarz, Carolyn Buma, Dawn Callahan, Tim Goudzwaard,
Tim Griffin
This session will introduce you to Elim’s restructured Vocational Program including their classroom-based vocational curriculum, a STEP-like job training component, an autism specific program and their new Essentials program-a job training program specific to students with moderate to severe cognitive impairments. Through the entire program, students with mild to severe cognitive disabilities receive a wide range of vocational experiences, based on their individual transition needs, to prepare them for life after graduation to facilitate increased self-determination in career-seeking.
C12 Internet Café
Resourceful web-based services including Illinois Life Span, disabilityWorks, Illinois State Assistance Commission & Illinois WorkNet will be available with assistance to navigate and learn more about services and resources provided.
Monday, November 9th
3:30 - 4:45 PM Sessions
D1: Employment Track
Evidence Based Supported Employment: Its Relevance for Transitioning
Youth with Psychiatric Disabilities
Speakers: Virginia
Fraser, Louis
Hamer, Katherine
Burson
Evidence based supported employment is a highly researched model that has proved to be effective in helping individuals with psychiatric disabilities get and keep employment. This session will present an overview of the model and its relevance to transitioning youth. It will also present how DMH and DRS are working to change their practices to supported employment services. Participants will have an understanding of evidence based supported employment and why it is effective. Participants will understand how Illinois is working at a state level to expand access to supported employment services. Participants will have an understanding about how supported employment uniquely applies to the success of transitioning youth with mental health needs.
D2: Education Track
How To Be An "Unstoppable" Student
Speaker: Jonathan Edison
A high energy message that provides students with the necessary tools to make it happen instead of watching it happen. With the shifting demands in education and life; students now more than ever have to be fully equipped to complete, keep pace and to exceed expectations of themselves and of others. What got us here won't keep us here and that's why students and parents have to be ready and equipped to be Unstoppable!!!
D3: Community Track
Confused about Government Benefits? Get Unconfused!
Speaker: Brian Rubin
Confused about special needs trusts to protect and maintain SSI and Medicaid eligibility? Confused about guardianship and power of attorney? Confused about Illinois adult service system when the bus stops coming? Get unconfused and travel down the path to peace of mind and understanding.
D4: Education Track
Travel Education in the Community
Speakers: Teresa
Garate, Eddie Phillips, Nathan Neely
The Travel Education in the Community Program is entering its third year of implementation. The program was designed to increase independence among youth with cognitive, physical, and/or learning disabilities attending the Chicago Public Schools by teaching them how to travel independently in the community. Developing a strong set of skills for traveling in the community is directly linked to the students' potential for obtaining employment and long-term self sufficiency. This session will provide an overview of the program components and findings from an evaluation that included student and family interviews as well as information on outcomes attained.
D5: Community Track
Advocacy Through Disability Rights Investigations
Speaker: Teresa Parks
Participants will learn about the Human Rights Authority, a unique advocacy resource available to consumers, families, agency representatives or any individuals with disability rights concerns. Utilizing regional investigative panels comprised of consumers, family members and service providers, the program seeks to promote and improve rights protections for persons with disabilities.
D6: Health Track
Preparing for Health Care Transition: The Skills and Tools You Need
Speaker: Rebecca
Boudos
This session will focus on practical health care transitions skills for adolescents or young adult patients: understanding medical conditions, making appointments, managing medications, speaking directly with medical providers. We will also discuss how patients, parents, and schools can incorporate these goals into the education plan to increase communication between medical providers and schools. For each theme, we will provide interactive tools such as web-based, videos, handouts. Data from our spina bifida clinic will also be presented.
D7: Health Track
A Crash Course in What Your Family Should Know About Healthcare Transition
Speaker: Kristine Stanley
This session will have an interactive power point infused with personal experiences as well as some research based information everyone should be exposed to. After a review of our personal experiences and journey, I will review various websites and documents including related topics from the American Academy of Pediatrics. I will review an article on the review of the physician in the IEP process, the emergency form that every parent should have and an overview of types of evaluations the parents are exposed to with transition age students.
D8: Employment Track
State of Illinois Employment Opportunities for Applicants with Disabilities
Speaker: Dan Dickerson
This session will explain the hiring process, including application, interview and selection, will explain the special hiring considerations for applicants with disabilities and will explain the DHS Pilot Project targeting applicants with disabilities and the ICED Intern Program.
D9: Employment Track
Customized Employment: What it Can Mean for The Student in Transition
Speakers: Marsie Frawley, John Mallaney, Stephanie Harcharik, Brittany
Woodring, Andy Hoekstra
Customized employment is a strategy that can hold the key to assure
full access to employment for all people who wish to work. As a person-centered
employment tool, CE utilizes a series of qualitative interactions, this
panel presentation on the Rural Illinois Customized Employment Sustainability
(RICES) Project will include an overview of CE as an alternative to traditional
labor market strategies; how CE has impacted four provider agencies; and
present the unique insights from current participants.
D10: Education Track
Education and Careers Pathway: A Transition Educational Program
Speakers: Sharon Slover, Dori Smith
SEDOM (the Special education district of McHenry County) and MCC (McHenry County College) has developed a model college certificate program for youth with disabilities that helps prepare young adults with learning, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities for careers and independence. This is a great partnership that you can replicate in your community.
D11: Education Track
Project Inclusion
Speaker: Susan Stewart-Reynolds & Kris Ruebling
This is an educational program aimed at improving students reading, writing, and computer skills to make them more employable in the future. Additional crucial life skills are explored in the areas of self-advocacy, community awareness, social interaction, cultural awareness, and independent living.
D12 Internet Café
Resourceful web-based services including Illinois Life Span, disabilityWorks, Illinois State Assistance Commission & Illinois WorkNet will be available with assistance to navigate and learn more about services and resources provided.
5th Annual Statewide Transition Conference
November 8 - 10, 2009
Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center
1551 North Thoreau Drive
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
For more information
contact Debbie Einhorn
at 866-436-7842 ext.116,
or via email at: deinhorn@fmptic.org
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