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Building Bridges: Empowering Youth for Transition Success

People First of Louisiana is a statewide self-advocacy organization aiming to empower individuals with disabilities by promoting decision-making skills, independence, and disability rights. Transition aspects are crucial for preparing individuals for employment, education, and community inclusion. This project involved engaging ESS middle and high school students in self-advocacy and self-determination sessions. Valuable lessons were learned about involving schools, teachers, and families. Future steps include establishing high school chapters, enhancing training, and potential mentoring programs for continued support and evaluation.

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Building Bridges: Empowering Youth for Transition Success

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  1. The Missing Elements of Transition

  2. Who we are • People First of Louisiana • Statewide self-advocacy organization • Made up and led by individuals with disabilities • 18 chapters located throughout the state We represent about 400 people

  3. Purpose of People First • Empower people to become better decision makers • Increase independence • Extend disability rights movement

  4. Purpose of Transition • To help prepare for employment or post-secondary education, as well as inclusion in community life.

  5. How does the purpose of People First and the purpose of Transition fit together? • Both need to involve younger individuals • Younger individuals need to be equipped with skills of self-advocacy and self-determination.

  6. So this is what we did……

  7. Key people involved in transition

  8. Who was needed ESS Middle School Students

  9. Process • Collaborated with Transition Specialist for EBR Schools • Met and discussed project with principal • Secured agreement and cooperation • Letters • Phone calls • Parents meeting • Teachers meeting

  10. Process • Recruited ESS (Exceptional Student Services) High School Students • Feeder school • Prepared for presentation • Parental permission slips • High School Students presented material developed by People First with input from high school students

  11. Process • 6th, 7th and 8th grade ESS (Exceptional Student Services) students • Three sessions • 1st day: Self-Advocacy • 2nd day: Self-Determination • 3rd day: Interactive game as review • Composed and distributed booklet including curriculum and students’ input

  12. Lessons Learned • “Buy-in” from school, teachers and parents/family • Use high school students to present • Use high school ESS staff to select students/presenters

  13. Lessons Learned • Prepare high school students to present • Need to use family facilitators to increase parental involvement

  14. Lessons Learned • Small groups work better • Use People First staff, transition coordinator or teacher to be “host” in review game

  15. Next Steps • Establish a People First Chapter at High School • Provide additional training • Potential mentoring component • Develop evaluation • Measure effectiveness of approach • Longitudinal ??

  16. Questions??

  17. Sharon Hennessey, Executive Director shennessey@peoplefirstla.org Ashley Serrett, Training Director aserrett@peoplefirstla.org (225)-383-1033 606 Colonial Drive, Suite I Baton Rouge, LA 70806

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