May 2024
The Journey: Toolkits Community of Practice
Join The Journey: Toolkits Community of Practice to connect with other professionals dedicated to improving transition practices for County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CBDD) Schools and similar educational programs. The Journey: Toolkits offer a self-paced professional learning suite designed to support educators working with youth who have complex needs. We invite teams to explore these tools and resources, share insights, and collaborate with peers to make a lasting impact. If you're interested in learning more or joining, please reach out to Elizabeth Wietmarschen at elizabeth_wietmarschen@ocali.org.
The Journey Webinar
May 20, 2024, 2:30 - 3:15 p.m.
The Journey: The Advocates Journey to Being Heard
Presented By: Stew Jones, Diana Mairose, and Jason Harris
Hear from a panel of advocates as they share their journey to finding their voice and having it be heard at local, state, and federal levels. They will discuss the importance of teaching self-advocacy skills to the younger generation and lessons they learned along the way.
Early Transition Planning Strategies and Sessions
We know starting transition planning in elementary school can help students be better prepared for life after school. But where should families, educators, and students begin with early transition planning?
On Ohio's Employment First website, we have assembled tools and resources in two areas: Start Talking and Connect for Support. By starting conversations about adult life goals and visions, families and IEP teams can intentionally build annual goals, identify skill areas to develop, and find opportunities for students to explore their talents and interests. In the Start Talking section, you will find simple tools and strategies for anyone - families, caregivers, students, educators, and more - to help identify and discuss goals, visions, and/or outcomes.
In the Connect for Support section, families can find organizations who offer various education opportunities to better understand systems that can support them and their child and connections with other families on similar journeys. These and other caregiver support organizations can help families find meaningful information and relationships.
Explore the EF Early Transition Planning Site
Developing the Learner Profile and Student Portfolios for Early Transition Planning
Thursday, May 9, 2024 from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Learn about Learner Profiles and how they can help document student specific access supports, early learning data, and Pre-k and elementary interests and skills that can lead to later transition planning. Pair this with student portfolios that showcase student learning and lend themselves to students participating in student-led conferences and IEP meetings.
Partnering for Progress: Supporting Youth Skill Development
Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
Join us for an engaging session where teachers and parents will learn practical strategies to support elementary students' skill development. We'll explore how to use the new OLAF tool together to assess skills and prioritize areas for growth. Participants will discover effective ways to incorporate skill development goals into educational plans, such as the IEP, ensuring that learning experiences are tailored to each student's unique needs. By the end of the session, both teachers and parents will feel empowered to collaborate effectively and provide targeted support to help students thrive academically and personally.
A Day in the Life 2024 Innovation Series
There is still time to join us for the 2024 Innovation Series centered on, "A Day in the Life: Amplifying Voices, Building a More Inclusive Tomorrow.' This year expands from the 2023 Innovation Series which focused on enriching your network and the power of relationships. The Quality and Innovation team at DODD is partnered with OSDA leaders and OCALI to offer a learning opportunity with real life examples, networking, and practical strategies and motivation to move your ah-ha moments into action.
Please join us for three more virtual sessions and our in-person summit.
- May 8, 2024 10:00-12:00 pm: Discovering Our Paths (Zoom)
- May 15, 2024 10:00-12:00 pm: Everyday Connections: Amplifying the Power of Relationships (Zoom)
- May 22, 2024 10:00-12:00 pm: Together Strong: Navigating the Team Process as Once Collaborative Team (Zoom)
- May 29, 2024 9:00-4:00 pm: In-Person Summit (Quest Conference Center, Westerville, OH)
Register for the Innovation Series
New Take 5 Videos
Youth Self-Advocacy and Empowerment - Youth Portal
Presented by: Amy Freeman, Statewide Transition Programs Coordinator
Youth and individuals with lived experiences: start practicing your self-advocacy skills today! Looking for a free online resource to empower yourself or your youth? Join Amy Freeman, Statewide Transition Programs Coordinator, as she reviews all the updated, new tools on the OCECD's Youth Portal website from comics/infographics to videos. Empower youth so that their voice is heard as they plan for the next chapter.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Check out our entire section of Take 5 videos on mental health supports and resources. One of those videos is: The Wellness Project. This is a virtual tour of the wellness webpage, which offers a variety of ways to support wellness for individuals, groups, and community members. Presented by: Holly Jones, Regional Liaison from Ohio DODD.
NEW Community Life Guide Modules !
The Community Life Guide will help you learn how to be your best and how to stay safe while you work, live, and explore your community. Everyone can be a part of their community!
- Building Financial and Digital Skills - 6 Modules with tools and activities to help you learn the financial and digital skills to help you manage your own money as an adult.
- Moving to Adult Health Care - 6 Modules to help you learn about Health Care Transition. Click on each Module to explore information to help you make the move to adult health care.
Check Out Community Life Guide Modules
We have officially MOVED!
Have you checked out the NEW Lifespan Transitions Center
professional page and the Group Pageon Facebook? Join us there and please click "follow" to stay updated.
Questions? Contact ltc@ocali.org.