Welcome to Collaborative Efforts for Student Transition

1. Welcome toCollaborative Efforts for Student Transition Please be respectful of your colleagues by silencing your phone. If you need to answer a call, please go to the hallway.

2. Conference Inclusion Statement We ask you to join us in creating a culture of • Access • Inclusion • Civility, and • Respect …this week and in all aspects of our organization.

3. Presentation Overview • Introductions – Presenters and Audience • Key Terms • Summary and Intent • Why We Collaborate • How We Collaborate • Presenter Roles • Program Layout • Benefits • Future Progression

4. Introductions – Roles and Responsibilities • Scott Crouch, Counselor-in-Charge, Vocational Rehabilitation - NHCS • Aimee Helmus, Director of Disability Services, Cape Fear Community College • RJ Kilgore, Assistant Director of Disability Services, University of North Carolina Wilmington • Shannon Mitchell, Special Education Department Chair, Emsley A. Laney High School

5. Who is in Attendance? • Disability Services Providers? • Higher Education Faculty/Staff? • Secondary Educators? • Counselors; Therapist? • Transition Specialists? • Community Program?

6. Key Terms • Transition – the process in which students with disabilities prepare and progress from secondary education to post-secondary activities (i.e.: work, school, military, etc.). • New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) – Wilmington, NC School System. • Transition Advisory Team – Organization within NHCS designed to develop strategies and implement activities towards student transition.

7. Key Terms….continued • Workforce Innovations Opportunity Act (WIOA) – Legislation requiring implementation of services towards student transition. • Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – Federally mandated – state regulated agency commissioned to provide services to support eligible persons with disabilities to achieve their vocational goals.

8. What is the Transition Panel? • Collaboration between 4 entities for the purposes of preparing students for their transition out of secondary education: • New Hanover County Schools • Vocational Rehabilitation • Cape Fear Community College • University of North Carolina Wilmington • Regular Meetings • Programming in the Schools • Community Events

9. Why Do We Collaborate? • WIOA mandates

10. Initial Collaboration - Why and How? • Initially suggested at Transition Advisory Team meeting during WIOA conversation. • Need for collaboration was recognized by a VR Counselor who took a job as Disability Resource Center Coordinator at UNCW • WIOA Sub-committee was formed • Those connections pulled in other connections including New Hanover County Transition Coordinator and Special Education Teachers.

11. Special Education Teacher’s Role in the classroom • Transition folders starting in middle school • Specific transition activities for each grade level • ECU Project STEPP Program • College Foundation of North Carolina • Career Fair • Resumes • Interview skills • Self-Advocacy Skills • Annual review of IEP (focus on accommodations) • Real-life Skills • Student driven

12. Special Education Teacher’s Role in Collaboration • School Counselors • Timeline for each grade level • Financial Aid • How/When to apply • Local colleges • University of North Carolina at Wilmington • Cape Fear Community College • Field Trip • Transition Panel • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor • Departmental • Monthly PLC meetings • Community business partners • Career Fair • Shadowing opportunities

13. Cape Fear Community College’s Role • Introduce students to programs that are offered at CFCC • Introduce Dual Enrollment • Review the Application Process • Discuss availability of Financial Aid • Discuss the option to transfer to 4 year school • Show students how to sign up for a tour of CFCC • Assist students in finding contact information for programs of interest • CFCC has sports too!

14. UNC Wilmington's Role • Universities are an option • Preparing to be a student at a University • Importance of IEP participation • Educate on the importance of and practice of being an effective SELF ADVOCATE. • Discuss general academic requirements and "otherwise qualified students."  • Resources available at the University level • General overview of common accommodations available at the University level • The college experience (Class, dorms, food, etc.) • General overview of majors, minors, interest areas. • Subtle differences between CC and 4 year

15. Vocational Rehabilitation’s Role • WIOA Charge to VR and Schools • Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act, Section 113: • “(a) IN GENERAL.-From the funds reserved under section 110(d), and any funds made available from State, local, or private funding sources, each State shall ensure that the designated State unit, in collaboration with local educational agencies involved, shall provide, or arrange for the provision of, pre-employment transition services for all students with disabilities in need of such services who are eligible or potentially eligible for services under this title.

16. Vocational Rehabilitation’s Role • Overall Transition Objective • Provide effective and appropriate transitions to students and youth with disabilities across NC through the coordination and provision of Pre-ETS and transition services. • COLLABORATION!

17. Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) • Work-based Experience • Job Exploration Counseling • Workplace Readiness Training • Self-Advocacy Training • Counseling on Post-Secondary Training

18. Education and Outreach • NHCS Transition Advisory Team • WIOA Sub Committee (Workforce Development Board Contracted Agency, VR, LEA, Community College) • Transition to Higher Education Panels • Interview Resume Seminars • Transition Fair

19. Why & How Do We Collaborate for Outcomes? • VR & LEA collaboration focus is on “Transition” outcomes. • Statewide MOA between VR, EC and CTE • New Hanover County Schools Special Education & Related Services District Wide Department Goal:To provide students differentiated, researched based instruction that will support a successful transition to adult life.

20. Overview of Program • Students prepared by teacher • Project STEPP and other activities • Pre-meetings with all four Panelist • Schedule day to meet with students • Presentation to Students • Introductions, ice breakers, basic overview, meet in small groups with students- students rotate between each person and are able to ask questions • Follow-up with all parties • Shared document to discuss feedback • Teacher followed up with students • Student feedback survey

21. MAJOR BENEFITS OF COLLABORATION • STUDENT BENEFITS • Helps students to consider college as an option • Familiarity with campus staff • Smoother transition- knowing what to expect, awareness of accommodations • Increased rate of success • Choices clearly laid out (Employment vs. CC vs. 4 year) • Realistic goal setting • Self-advocacy

22. Where do we Go from Here? • Student surveys - improved tracking and data collection • Increased involvement by other high schools in New Hanover County • Branching out to other counties • Sharing our strategies with others to encourage duplication • Field trips • Gain additional buy-in from DPI

23. Contact Information • Richard “RJ” Kilgore • kilgorer@uncw.edu • Shannon Mitchell • Shannon.Mitchell@nhcs.net • Aimee Helmus • ahelmus@cfcc.edu • Scott Crouch • Scott.Crouch@dhhs.nc.gov

24. Session Evaluation Please see session moderator for paper evaluation form or complete the evaluation online.