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A Model Approach to Networking Professionals in Your State. Cindy Camp Jacksonville State University, AL Marcia Kolvitz Postsecondary Education Consortium, TN. The Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet).
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A Model Approach to Networking Professionals in Your State Cindy Camp Jacksonville State University, AL Marcia Kolvitz Postsecondary Education Consortium, TN
The Postsecondary Education Programs Network (PEPNet) Funded through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Postsecondary Education Consortium Jacksonville State University University of Arkansas at Little Rock St. Petersburg College Georgia Perimeter College Eastern Kentucky University Louisiana State University A&M Hinds Community College Tulsa Community College Central Piedmont Community College North Harris College Greenville Technical College New River Community College The University of Tennessee
SERID 2000 in Atlanta Falling Between the Cracks:What Happens When College Isn’t an Option? • The goal was to address the following issues: • What are some of the options and opportunities for young deaf adults who aren’t college-bound? • What types of referrals do college staff members make for students who are not successful in college courses? • How do you determine when a student just needs additional accommodations to be successful and when he/she just isn't making it in a college setting?
What worked well: Post-conference format Mix of participants Flexibility about topics/discussion Link to others with similar concerns What was an issue: Limited size of group New participants; returning participants Need for continuity Uncertainty about ultimate purpose/goal Region-wide Meetings: Benefits and Liabilities
Year 2 Finding a purpose and direction Year 3 Sharing successful ideas and practices Year 4 Feedback regarding national service delivery plan Region-wide Meetings: Years 2 – 4 and Beyond
Falling Between the Cracks: State Workshops Alabama 8 Georgia 2 Louisiana 1 Mississippi 2 North Carolina 1 Oklahoma 2 South Carolina 1 Texas 1 Tennessee 1 West Virginia 1 Region wide 4 What happened next?
One size DOESN’T fit all! • Alabama has an open meeting twice a year. • Georgia invites only those with a hearing loss. • Oklahoma attaches their meeting to another statewide conference. • What is right for you???
Who is your audience? • by invitation only • open to the public • limited number of participants • Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Hearing ….?
How will you Accommodate? • When you have a mixed audience accommodations are very important! • Interpreting • Captioning • ALDs
Where will it be held? • At the hosting institution • At a state agency • College campus • On neutral ground • At a central location in the state
Who will moderate? • a staff member • State VIP • out of state person • Deaf / Hearing
How is it funded? • Participants pay a small registration fee • Hosting organization foots the bill • State stakeholders contribute
What’s the bait? • Networking opportunities • CEUs • Free goodies / informational resources • Free food
What’s the agenda? • Brainstorming • Informational presentation • Open forum • Announcements
Sample Agenda • Gripe Session • list the major problems facing young D/HH adults • Dream Big • Brainstorm solutions to the problems as if you had no limits. • Get a Grip • Look at your big dreams and then look at practical ways to get started.
Fill in the Gaps • Start with introductions • After lunch is a good time to discuss upcoming workshops and advertise resources. • End on a positive note. • Plan for the next meeting • Set goals and ask participants to follow-up
What about the meeting itself? Now that you have your group together what do you do with them? Here are some ideas for conducting your meeting.
What do you hope to accomplish? • Statewide network • Problem solving strategies • Problem identification • Workshop Opportunities • Information dissemination • Project work groups
What were the major concerns? • What is there after high school? • Lack of resources in rural areas • Lack of transition services • Lack of communication among professionals • Lack of training for professionals, not in deaf services, about deafness • Low reading comprehension in D/HH students
Where do we go from here? • Let the group decide: • Do we meet again? • How often? • Where? • What are our goals • Finish the meeting by scheduling the next one. People like closure.
What can be done? • Group Listservs • Provide information on VR services • Disseminate informational materials • Directory of services • Statewide • National
Development of online Resources • Deaf Culture • Communication methods • Local, Regional, National resources • Tips for overcoming job placement barriers • Working with an interpreter • SSI information • Etc.
Do I really want to do this??!! • Putting together this type meeting does take work but it is well worth it! • Just remember that you can’t change the world in one day but you can start the ball rolling.