THE ART OF A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION

1. THE ART OF A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION By Donna J. Flanery

2. Components of A Successful Transition • Conversion to Adult Services • Partnering with Professionals • Connecting with Community Supports • Tough Issues Facing Parents

3. Conversion to Adult Services

4. BIGGEST FEARS

5. WHAT ARE A PARENTS BIGGEST FEARS? #1 What will happen to my child when the school bus stops running? #2 If my child goes to work, will the benefits stop?

6. Comparison of Services Childhood Services Adult Services Each service received by an adult must be qualified for ( just because you have a disability, does not mean that you meet the guidelines) The individual or family must coordinate services Each service is separate • Every child is entitled to services • School systems help to coordinate services • Services overlap and intertwine with each other

7. Where do we begin?

8. Getting Started • Have service providers present at the Transition ARD • Determine what services are needed • Who can provide those services ? • How do we apply for those services ? • When can we apply for services and is there a waiting list? How long is the waiting list?

9. Partnering With Professionals

10. Educate Yourself • Attend conferences and workshops • Talk to other parents • Find a support group • Do your homework • Research on the internet • Read books, articles, blogs • Collect Information

11. Learn to be assertive and not aggressive • Attitude is very important • Know what you want but be prepared to compromise • Open communication enables parents and professionals to work effectively together and to achieve the best outcomes

12. POSITIVE RESULTS

13. NEGATIVE RESULTS

14. Networking and Building Relationships • Attend meetings • Become connected • Meet professionals involved with services

15. Two Important Issues When Working With Professionals • Show R-E-S-P-E-C-T • Remember there are boundaries

16. Connecting With Community Supports

17. What are community supports? • Inclusion Activities • Recourses in the Community • Volunteering • Employment Assistance and Supported Employment • Recreational Activities

18. Community Inclusion • Attending a movie • Going bowling • Eating at a restaurant • Attending church • Participating in group meeting/activities

19. Community Resources • Dr. appointments/ Pharmacy pick-up • Shopping( grocery store, Wal-Mart, mall) • Visiting Service Organizations (housing, food stamps, service coordinators) • Job Applications

20. Volunteering • Church • Libraries • Animal Shelters • YMCA • Businesses • Community organizations

21. Employment Assistance and Supported Employment • Employment Assistance is assistance in locating competitive employment in the community • Supported Employment is supporting an individual in paid employment by helping the individual sustain that employment

22. Recreational Activities • Special Olympics • The ARC • YMCA • Support Groups • Church

23. Issues Facing Parents • Guardianship • Transportation • Safety • Living Arrangements • Relationships

24. Guardianship • Yes? • No? • Alternatives

25. Transportation Public Transportation Vs Natural Supports

26. Safety • Safety in the home • Street Safety • Exploitation • Abuse and Neglect

27. Living Arrangements Where will my child live? Who will provide supports for my child? What if my child and I disagree?

28. Relationships • Yes, individuals with disabilities do have more than platonic relationships • How do you approach the subject? • What issues do parents need to take into consideration?

29. QUESTIONS????

30. Contact Information • Donna.Flanery@cccmhmr.org • d.flanery@dflanery.com • www.dflanery.com