PA Transition Tidbits

"NAW is a nationwide celebration where employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers, and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are instrumental in re-building our economy, advancing racial and gender equity, building a pipeline to good quality jobs, and supporting underserved communities.

This year NAW’s theme is 'Registered Apprenticeship: Superhighway to Good Jobs,' to reflect the prominence that Registered Apprenticeship has received as a proven and industry-driven training model that expedites the pathway into good jobs and improves diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the workplace. Registered Apprenticeship is recognized as a key strategy to improving job quality and creating access to good-paying jobs for all, including populations historically underrepresented – women, people of color, and individuals with a disability – and underserved populations, such as youth and young adults. It addresses some of our nation’s pressing workforce shortages in teaching, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, cybersecurity, and other high-priority sectors."

(From Apprenticeship USA, 2023)

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services hosted the first session for the 2023-2024 OSERS Symposium Series, Belonging: Building and Sustaining Environments that Support High Expectations, Engagement, and Empowerment for All!, virtually on October 25, 2023.

The recording will be available on the Expect, Engage, Empower: Successful Transition for All webpage.

Take a look at different NAW events happening across the state of Pennsylvania.

ApprenticeshipPA

PA Workforce Development Association

Apprenticeships: The Construction of Human Capital

Lancaster County Workforce Development Board

Build On Event

KML Carpenters Apprenticeship

Date: 11/17/2023
Start Time: 9:00 AM

End Time: 2:00 PM

Contact: Richard F Paganie Jr.
Email: rpaganie@kmlctf.org

Building Together, Growing Stronger: Celebrating 5 Years of APHL

Philadelphia Works/ApprenticeshipPHL

11/16

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

EASCTC Training Center Tour

Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College

FTI Open House

Finishing Trades Institute

GACC Philadelphia Annual Gala - Celebrating Training & Education

German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

GSK National Apprentice Week Webinar (1st Option) 11/15 Daytime

GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)

GSK National Apprentice Week Webinar (2nd Option) 11/15 Evening

GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)

How to add Apprentice programs to your curriculum

www.urbanmedialiteracy.org

Let’s Get Skilled

PA PROFESSIONAL IMAGE ALLIANCE

Oberg Industries Open House event

Oberg Industries

273 North Pike Road, Sarver, Pennsylvania 16055

Date: 11/02/2023

Start Time: 6:00 PM

Contact: Melissa Cushey

Email: melissa.cushey@oberg.com

Open House

International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers JAC (LU14) Training Center

Address: 2014 Hornig Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19116

Date: 11/14/2023
Start Time: 10:00 AM

Contact: Ed Krawczyk
Email: ekrawczyk@insulators14jac.com

Skills for Life: The Power of Apprenticeships

Accenture

IEC PENNSYLVANIA

IEC Pennsylvania

As part of PaTTAN’s partnership with OVR, PaTTAN West’s Youth Engagement Specialist, Hunter Steinitz, traveled to Johnstown, PA to attend a career and transition fair at the Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hyrum G. Andrews Center. This is a student focused 24 acres under roof training and educational facility that provides opportunities to students of a wide variety of abilities.

During the visit, Hunter got to tour this amazing place and talk to many of the current and prospective students there. She spoke to students involved in all their different certificate programs, from Culinary to Healthcare and in between. These bright and energetic students talked about how muchthey liked being able to get hands on training alongside peers and how excited they were to continue in their fields. Hunter was able to eat food made by students there and witnessed their growing expertise. In spending a few days with the students, Hunter saw just how inclusive and welcoming they are. These students are taking their first steps into independence and competitive integrated employment.

In addition, at the beginning of October, Hunter participated in the kickoff of the Youth Engagement Now (YEN) project in partnership with NTACT:C and RAISE and their youth engagement groups, Youth Engagement Transition Initiative (YETI) and the Youth Advocates For Change (YAFC). She was invited as a PA state representative from YETI. Young self-advocates from 20 different states gathered in Pittsburgh to begin working on a youth led, youth written resource for organizations across the nation to use when doing youth engagement where they are. During the summit, participants broke up into three groups and analyzed data collected from state organizations and PTI’s to understand what would help them to do meaningful youth engagement. Using that data, the groups divided topics and began formulating tools and methods to help meet their needs. Being that Pennsylvania has Youth Engagement Specialists, Hunter was selected to lead one of the three groups as we devise this collection of youth driven resources. She is excited to see what this amazing group of youth do, and even more excited to be a part of it. Stay tuned for more updates!

Our PaTTAN – East Youth Engagement Specialist alongside OVR presented at Philadelphia's Employment 1st Stakeholder Strategic Planning Event hosted by the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services in October. This event was created to allow stakeholders to brainstorm ideas to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This event not only provided an opportunity for participants to connect with other Philadelphians with disabilities but the professionals who support them. It provided a space for them to tell their story on how all of these providers allowed them to become successful business owners and city employees. It was truly a great day to network while understanding everyone’s role in producing such great outcomes.

What can YES do for you?

The Youth Engagement Specialists are available to provide supports around:

• Student Led IEPs
• Disability Awareness and Self-Advocacy
• Youth Engagement in Transition Planning
• Employment Supports and Outcomes

Support can be requested by filling out an application for professional development/customized supports on the PATTAN website.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce the following training opportunity:

APR Learning Institute: Using Transition Assessment to Inform the IEP Process

November 2, 2023 – PaTTAN Central (9:00 AM – 12:15 PM) - FULL
November 2, 2023 – PaTTAN East (11:45 AM – 3:00 PM) - FULL
November 2, 2023 – PaTTAN West (11:45 AM – 3:00 PM) - LIMITED SPOTS REMAIN

Transition assessment is the driving force behind effective transition planning. During this interactive workshop, transition coordinators will explore different assessment resources available both within PA and nationally. In addition, tips, and tricks for integrating transition assessments to develop compliant and effective transition IEPs will be shared.

APR Learning Institutes are in-person workshops designed for special education personnel to practice, design, and/or develop tools and strategies for immediate use in their schools. The sessions are part of PaTTAN’s Attract-Prepare-Retain (APR) efforts, and are offered to learn, problem-solve, and share ideas with job-alike colleagues. Together we will create “takeaways” to apply immediately. Come ready to engage in learning!

Target Audience
Transition Coordinators, Special Education Teachers providing Transition Services, and Secondary Administrators


REGISTRATION
Please register online by visiting the PaTTAN website.

CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions regarding registration, contact:
PaTTAN West – Paula Quinn, pquinn@pattanpgh.net

For questions regarding content, contact:
PaTTAN East – Jacki Lyster, jlyster@pattankop.net
PaTTAN Central - Ryan Romanoski, rromanoski@pattan.net
PaTTAN West - Hillary Mangis, hmangis@pattanpgh.net

Learn from the Experts. Come ready with your questions!

Solving the Puzzle: Approaches to housing for individuals with developmental disabilities (Pennsylvania)

Tuesday, 11/14/23, 1:00-3:00 pm, featuring Speakers: David Gates, Attorney and HTTS (Housing, Transition, Tenancy Sustaining-waiver service) housing counselor, Kim Dolan, Director of Housing Development, Regional Housing Legal Services; Stephanie Meyer, Special Assistant to the Secretary, Department of Human Services; Karen Gutierrez, Director of Housing (for the Housing Transition and Tenancy Service), for Person Directed Supports, Inc.; Michael Anderson. Co-owner of HomeWorks and Advocate for ARC Philadelphia and Susan Tachau, Parent/Consultant; Roy Diamond, Founder of Roy Diamond and Associates/Parent; Bianca Waliddin, E.D. Liberty Housing Development Corp.; Sarah Acosta, ACTION-Housing, Inc., Program Supervisor

In this presentation, you will learn about programs to assist people with developmental disabilities to become housing ready, programs that can assist with housing costs, partnerships to help build affordable housing, homeownership models and updates on current and future housing initiatives of the PA Department of Health and Human Services.

The expert panel will consist of a self-advocate/home owner, housing counselors, a housing developer/parent, a parent advocate, two attorneys specializing in housing for people with disabilities and the Special Assistant on Housing for the PA Department of Health and Human Services.

Registration Link

• Are you searching for strategies to improve the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process and meetings?
• Are you looking for ways to increase youth voice and family engagement?
• Are you interested in building relationships between the school, staff, families, and students in your building?

The new Student-led IEP (SLIEP) Process Resource Hub has ideas for you to use. The Hub outlines next steps, ideas to get started today, ways to partner, resources, videos, and links for information that explain the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the student-led IEP process.

The SLIEP hub has tools for youth to use and understand their role, tools for families to use as they grow and share their knowledge, and tools for teachers and schools to use as they begin introducing and working with students with an IEP to learn to self-advocate and take ownership of their learning.

Check out the SLIEP hub!

Please share the flyer and QR code with school staff, families and youth!

"In support of Secretary Cardona’s mission to improve equity across our nation’s schools, Director Williams is pleased to announce a new initiative to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities: Expect, Engage, and Empower: Successful Transitions for All!

This initiative will challenge the field to join OSERS to raise expectations, engage families earlier, and empower all who support transition services to measurably and significantly improve postsecondary outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and their families. Every family that has an infant, child, or youth identified with a disability must be exposed to high expectations from day one. In order for improvement to occur, three things must happen:

• The education and vocational rehabilitation systems must work together,
• Critical discussions about the future and transition planning process must start sooner, and
• ALL students with disabilities should have the opportunity to learn about all post-secondary opportunities and make the best choice for themselves.

Our systems should be prepared to make their vision a reality by providing information about any needed support services, and proactively address needs."

From the IDEAS That Work Website, October 2023

To support the work of this initiative, a recourse database was created. Click here to find great resources to support transition!

Looking for a place where you can Connect, Collect, & Contribute

to all things secondary transition?

Connect with people from across our state to collect

resources, share events and contribute stories about positive post-school outcomes!

Click here to create an account and login to join our PA Secondary Transition- Public Square.

Are you looking to learn more information about transition?

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides information, tools, and supports to assist multiple stakeholders to provide effective services and instruction for students and out-of-school youth with disabilities.

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!

Are you looking for transition events across PA?

Don't forget to check the events calendar to stay up to date on all of the great events happening in PA and nationally related to secondary transition!

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a group of various stakeholders from across Pennsylvania who work collaboratively to ensure appropriate transition outcomes for Pennsylvania youth and young adults.

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a state leadership team consisting of representative from: the State Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Human Services; Various Serving Agencies, Young Adults, Parent Organizations, Advocates, Higher Education, and Employers.

The shared vision and common goals of the Pennsylvania Community on Transition is achieved when all PA youth and young adults with disabilities:

• Successfully transition to the role of productive and participating adult citizens
• Are empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice
• Have equal access to resources that will promote their full participation in the communities of their choice.

Email: pasecondarytransition@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/
Phone: 4128266878
Twitter: @hmangiskuntz