Transition Learning Groups for Parents

Parent Mentors:

Cyndi White Jackie McNair

Barrow County Gwinnett County

Objectives for Today

Identify Parent Items on the Transition Plan

Identify 4 Benefits for hosting a Transition Learning Group for Parents of Students with Intellectual Disabilities &/or Autism

Identify 4 Types of Speakers for the TLG

Why Host Transition Learning Groups?

Last Year of High School, Parents Panic

They realize no “system” will “pick up” their student.

1. What will my young adult do during the day?2. Who will help her/him find a job?3. What about a social life?4. What have other parents done?5. What will it cost me?

Transition Learning Group

Parent Mentors in Gwinnett, Anne Ladd & Jackie McNair Guide Parents through Life After High School

Opportunities Tools:

– Letter of Intent– All About Me Worksheet– Guest Speakers– Transition Event (Expo or Fair)– Student’s Transition Plan– About My Child– Transition Checklist

Logistics of TLG

Plan times & locations that Parents can attend easily with the Transition Fair in the Middle of the Schedule

Invite Speakers that have successful transition stories to share.

Invite Parents of Students in your target group.

TLG Activity: Dreams for Future

Welcome & Introductions Goals of Transition Learning Group Participation Agreement Hopes/Dreams/Fears Exercise Parent Speakers Letter of Intent Homework

TLG Activity: Transition Maze

Review Dreams Check on Homework Read Aloud Fear Notes Walk Parents through the Options of Transition

by Power Point Presentation Assist Parents in Choosing Classes to attend at

the Fair/Expo

Expo & Conference Planning

Exhibitors Included:

Recreation Colleges Vocation Rehabilitation Therapies MicroBoards Microbusinesses Support Groups Independent Living Medical Resources DBHDD PS Inclusive Education

Conference Included:

Panels on Work, Independent Living, & College

Wills, Trusts, & Guardianship Technology Positive Behavior Support Person Centered Planning Employment Career Pathways

TLG Activity 3: Using Our Knowledge

Review Expo & Transition Fair Speaker – Local Program for People with DD What are the Next Steps:

– For Transition Plan?– For Letter of Intent?– For Gathering more Information?– For Continuing These Relationships &

Conversations?

TLG Activity 4:Transition Plan & Checklist

Hand out Student’s Transition Plan & Review Parts Hand out Transition Checklist

Identify Parent Roles: Post Secondary goals Education/Training PS goals Employment PS goals Independent Living PS based Transition Assessments Agency Rep Invited to IEP Meeting

Hand out About My Child Hand out TLG Evaluation

Transition Checklist

Follow Up

Based on the answers to the Next Step questions in Activity 3, set up any field trips or additional group meetings.

Prior to student’s next IEP, contact parent to see if there are questions to address prior to Transition Plan review.

After student’s IEP, ask parent how Transition Plan review was different from previous year.

Vital Behavior Data Checks

Each meeting find out if the parent discussed post-secondary options with his/her student.

Each meeting find out if the parent did homework to facilitate the discussion with the student.

Today’s Objectives

Parent Participation on Transition Plan

1. PS goals Education/Training

2. PS goals Employment

3. PS goals Independent Living

4. PS based Transition Assessments

5. Agency Rep Invited to IEP Meeting

Today’s Objectives

Why are Transition Learning Groups Useful?

1. Learn about daytime opportunities

2. Learn ways to access jobs or training

3. Meet parents of other students enables friendships of students to continue past high school

4. Hearing experienced parents/students makes the dream seem possible

Today’s Objectives

List 4 Types of Speakers for TLG

1. Parent/Student Continuing Education

2. Parent/Student Working or Volunteering

3. Job Coach or Job Trainer

4. Representative from a Community Program for People with Developmental Disabilities

Transition Learning Groups for Parents

Questions? Comments?

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Cyndi White Jackie McNair

Parent Mentor Parent Mentor

Barrow County Gwinnett County

cynthia.white @ jackie_mcnair@

barrow.k12.ga.us gwinnett.k12.ga.us