How to Create the Ultimate Transition Dream Team

1. How to Create the Ultimate Transition Dream Team Presenters: Nancy Nimmo M.Ed. Director of Special Needs Initiative Deborah Yorko M.Ed. Special Education Coordinator

2. Goals & Objectives Define the concepts of an interagency team • Collaboration • Interagency • Team Guidelines for developing an interagency collaborative team • Forming • Choosing stakeholders • Storming • Brainstorming local strengths and weaknesses • Norming • Developing shared team purpose • Design action plans • Performing • Implementation

3. Collaboration • A relationship that includes communication of mutual goals • Shared roles and responsibilities • Collective authority and accountability for success • Sharing of resources and rewards

4. Interangency • Defined group of individuals representing multiple and diverse agencies who come together and commit themselves to teaching, learning and working with each other across traditional organizational boundaries to better serve students with disabilities.

5. Team • Clearly defined team roles • Unified direction • Effective working relationships • Collaborative commitment • Safe supportive environment • Results driven • Competent members • External supports • Strong leadership

6. Guidelines for Team Formation • Four Stages • Forming • Storming • Norming • Performing

7. Stage One • Forming • Initiate a team • Define needs to be addressed • Who will the team impact • Geographical area the team will impact • Define stakeholders to serve • One brainstorming meeting • One follow up meeting • Confirmed team membership

8. Stage Two • Storming • Develop beliefs & values • Develop mission statement • Conduct needs assessment in community • Redefine target needs • Cultivate team goals • Written description of membership roles • Determine meeting schedule • Develop action plan • Address communication skills and conflict resolution skills

9. Stage Three • Norming • Systematically implementing and revising the action plan • Focus on outcomes • Revise policy and procedures as needed • Ongoing evaluation of team effectiveness

10. Stage Four • Performing • Continually ask “are we serving our purpose?” • Make changes accordingly • Don’t be afraid to expand your efforts

11. Checklist of Meeting Effectiveness • Develop an agenda • Ask for agenda additions • Set time limits • Take meeting minutes • Follow meeting ground rules • Make sure action was followed • Use appropriate communication skills • Follow agreed upon format • Schedule next meeting

12. What a real team looks like…. • Medina Special Students Transition Action Team (MSSTAT) • Established in 2003 • Current Members • Transition Specialists • Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services • Goodwill Industries • Windfall Industries • Medina Creative Housing • Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities • Ford Dealership • Parents of students with special needs • Special Education Directors • Special Education Coordinator • Licensed Social Worker

13. MSSTAT Website

14. Resources • Rusch,F.R., Chadsey J.G. 1998. Beyond High School Transition from School to Work, Wadsworth Publishing Co. Boston. • Kent State University • Medina Special Students Transition Action Team • www.medina-esc.org

15. Questions?