Annual
Reports
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Reports Menu
Youth in
Transition
Workgroups
Members
|
J. David Sienko, Co-Chair |
Department of Education, Office of Special Needs |
|
Michael Spoerri, Co-Chair |
RI Department of Health |
|
Denise Achin |
RI Department of Education Office of Special Needs |
|
Cheryl Collins |
RI Parent Information Network |
|
Regina Connor |
RI ATAP, Office of Rehabilitation Services |
|
Sue Donovan |
RI Parent Information Network |
|
Lina DuPont |
RI Parent Information Network-Parent Consultant |
|
Vicky Ferrara |
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities, RI College |
|
Steven Florio |
RI Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
|
LizAnn Gibson |
Southern RI Collaborative Education &Training Center |
|
Elaina Goldstein |
Executive Director, Rhodes to Independence |
|
Paul V. Sherlock |
Center on Disabilities, RI College |
|
Marie Hanley |
Northern RI Collaborative |
|
Deborah Johnson |
Admissions Office, Rhode Island College |
|
Tracy Karasinski |
Community College of Rhode Island |
|
Anne LeClerc |
RI Public Transit Authority |
|
Kate McCarthy-Barnett |
University of Rhode Island |
|
Luz Mery Mejia |
DOH/RIPIN Parent Consultant |
|
Arthur Plitt |
Governor's Commission on Disabilities |
|
Ann Roccio |
Disability Services, RI College |
|
Pamela Rohland |
Disability Services, University of Rhode Island |
|
Susan Shapiro |
Office of Rehabilitation Services |
|
Linda Soderberg |
RI School to Career |
|
Natanya Szendro |
University of Rhode Island |
|
Sue Vandal |
Parent Advocate |
|
Mary Waleck |
Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America |
|
Alice Woods |
Southern RI Collaborative |
2004
Accomplishments
The primary
goal of the
Rhodes to
Independence
Youth in
Transition
Workgroup is
to identify
and remove
gaps within
the system
to ensure
that the
8,500 to
9,000 youths
with
disabilities
between the
ages of 14
to 21 who
are either
graduating
or leaving
the school
system, are
aware of and
receiving
the
necessary
transitioning
services to
obtain
employment,
while
ensuring
health care
and
supportive
services.
The 2004
accomplishments
of this
Workgroup
strongly
supported
this goal.
The Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
met ten
times in
2004. It
included
members
representing
state
agencies,
non-profit
organizations,
educational
institutions,
consumers
and parents
of youth in
transition.
The Youth in
Transition
Workgroup's
2004
accomplishments
included the
following:
Developed
the
"Creating
Pathways to
Work Train
the Trainer
Manual."
The Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
completed
the
"Creating
Pathways to
Work Train
the Trainer
Manual." In
2003, the
Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
identified
the goal to
support the
development
and
distribution
of a
Training
Manual to
assist
students,
families and
professionals
to make
informed
decisions
concerning
transition
from
secondary
school to
employment.
In the fall
of 2003, the
Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
Chair
approved the
Vendor
Request from
the Rhode
Island
Parent
Information
Network to
support the
development
and
distribution
of this
Training
Manual. In
the spring
of 2004, the
Workgroup
members
recommended
that an
additional
section be
developed to
address the
issue of
youths with
disabilities
transitioning
to higher
education.
This
additional
section was
completed by
the
Workgroup
and met the
goal of
identifying
and working
out
strategies
for
resolving
gaps for
youths
transitioning
to higher
education.
Throughout
the year,
Workgroup
members were
actively
involved in
the
development
of the
manual
including
sharing
relevant
information
and
experiences,
conducting
progress
reviews and
updates,
participating
in
discussions
and
providing
feedback.
The Training
Manual is
divided into
four
modules: Job
Skills
Training and
Meaningful
Employment;
Social
Security
Administration
Work
Incentives;
Higher
Education
and
Transportation.
It was
developed to
be used as a
resource by
agencies,
educators
and others
supporting
youths with
disabilities
in
transitioning
to work or
higher
education.
It is
designed to
be used as a
training
tool
incorporating
all topics
in a single
session or
selectively
reviewing
individual
topics based
on need. The
individual
sections
within the
manual
include a
handout of
the
presentation;
trainer
notes pages;
set of
overheads;
and a
handout
packet. In
addition,
the manual
includes a
training
program
overview and
a CD-ROM of
the modules
for use as a
PowerPoint
Presentation.
The Train
the Trainer
Workshops
(scheduled
for early
2005) will
be five hour
sessions
involving a
detailed
overview of
the
individual
topics,
discussion,
group
activities,
feedback and
evaluations.
The Rhode
Island
Parent
Information
Network
Spanish
translation
deliverable
did not meet
the proposed
2004
deadline but
will be
completed by
the end of
January
2005.
Identifying
and working
out
strategies
for
resolving
gaps for
youths
transitioning
to higher
education.
The Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
expanded its
membership
this year to
include
Disability
Service
representatives
from each of
the state
institutions
of higher
education.
As noted
above, the
Workgroup
members made
the decision
to address
the goal of
working out
strategies
for
resolving
gaps for
youths
transitioning
to higher
education as
part of the
"Train the
Trainer
Manual." The
Disability
Service
providers
were
influential
in providing
guidance to
the
development
of this
section of
the Training
Manual.
The primary
focus of
this section
of the
Training
Manual is to
assist
students,
families and
professionals
to make
informed
decisions
concerning
transitioning
to higher
education.
It addresses
four main
topics:
Planning for
Transition
(identification
of interests
and goals,
self
advocacy,
academic
preparation
and the
utilization
of
resources);
Making
Choices
(postsecondary
options,
campus
climate and
campus
visits);
Applications
and
Admissions
Process
(pre-admission
tests,
admission
criteria and
financial
aid); and
Rights and
Responsibilities
(legal
rights and
student
responsibilities).
Identifying
and working
out
strategies
for
resolving
gaps in
health care
for youths
in
transition.
The
completion
of this goal
involved
conducting
extensive
research on
gaps in
health care
for youths
in
transition.
Following a
comprehensive
analysis of
the data, a
chart was
developed to
provide an
overview of
the benefits
of federal
and state
health care
programs and
strategies
for
resolving
gaps in
health care
for youths
in
transition.
Identifying
and working
out
strategies
for
understanding,
modifying
and raising
awareness of
1619(a) and
(b) and
other work
incentives
The process
for
addressing
this goal
has included
researching
national
1619 (a) and
(b) data
including
recipient
demographics,
percentages
by state and
average of
earnings;
reviewing
the New
England
State Plan
Amendments;
and
developing a
correlation
matrix to
demonstrate
the
differences
between
Rhode Island
and the
other New
England
State Plan
Amendments.
This
research
will be
expanded to
include an
analysis of
gaps in the
Rhode Island
State Plan
Amendment, a
review of
pro-active
steps other
states have
taken to
modify their
State Plan
to provide
additional
opportunities
for
eligibility
and the
identification
of best
practices
for raising
awareness of
1619 (a) and
(b) and
other work
incentives.
This goal
will be
completed in
February,
2005.
Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
2005
Proposed
Activities
This section
includes an
overview of
the 2005
proposed
Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
Activities.
-
Develop
a Youth
"Interview
Tool"
that
will
include
detailed
job
interview
suggestions
and an
assessment/evaluation
instrument
for
young
job
seekers
with
disabilities
to
complete
after
interviews.
This
tool
will
measure
their
level of
satisfaction/concerns
in terms
of each
interview
experience
and
provide
a
training
plan.
-
Develop,
produce
and
disseminate
informational
brochures
and
other
resource
materials
relative
to
available
work
incentives
and
supports
Buy-In,
1619(a)
and 1619
(b) and
college
support
for
youths
in
transition,
their
families,
counselors,
and
other
professionals.
-
Design
and
implement
a
strategic
plan
targeted
to
transitional
youths
and
their
families
to
inform
them
about
available
programs
that
provide
training
for and
acquisition
of
assistive
technology
necessary
for
transition
to
employment
or
higher
education.
The Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
has
established
monthly
meeting
dates and is
well-positioned
to achieve
its 2005
goals.
Steering
Committee
|
Executive
Summary
|
Employment
Retention
|
Housing
Workgroup
Outreach
Workgroup
|
Transportation
Workgroup
Youth in
Transition
Workgroup
|
Annual
Reports Menu
