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The success rate among the graduates of  America’s Special Education Programs has been studied and criticized for decades. In 2005, Dr. Frank Rusch of Pennsylvania State University and this writer addressed the issue related to the inability of young special education high school graduates to achieve success in employment, post-secondary education, adequate housing and community acquiescence. According to the study, Rusch and Pizzuro wrote: “Young adults with disabilities typically leave publicly funded educational institutions without a job, without being enrolled in postsecondary education, and without the security of knowing their roles in society. Fewer than 30 percent of high school leavers obtain jobs after departing mandated education and fewer than 10 percent enroll in postsecondary education. The past 25 years has witnessed continued poverty among young adults with disabilities, despite legislative reauthorizations aimed at improving educational opportunities (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004) and employment access (The Americans with Disabilities Act).”

The Foundations Project is asking parents of young children with disabilities about how they think about their children’s learning skills to help them become more independent in the future and able to speak for themselves as they grow older. We believe that young children who know how to calm themselves (called self-regulation), make and express their choices, and engage in activities with necessary help, are laying the foundations for later self-determination. Most young children develop these skills naturally as they grow. But sometimes children with disabilities need adults in their lives to help nourish those skills. It makes sense that children can learn these skills more rapidly when all the adults in their lives – parents and teachers – are working together. Please complete the survey that follows about your child’s strengths and challenges in self-regulation, choice-making, and engagement. We also ask you to share ideas and strategies that you use to encourage your child. Also, we want to hear your opinion about what it takes to make a successful partnership between home and school so that you and your child’s teacher can work together on these issues.

Click here to register for this event What: This is a repeat (and updated) performance of last year's tremendously popular webinar featuring young adult presenters organized by Summit Independent Living.  Join Ashlee, Michael, Mary, Mike, Barclay, Molly and Kim to learn about: The importance of considering healthy relationships as part of transition planning Friendships, dating, and marriage How to meet other young people How parents can help young adults make safe and healthy choices What resources are available to learn more about this topic   And much more! When: Tuesday, May 3, 2011 1:00-2:30pm Mountain After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

Makeovers — for the body and the home — have become a staple of reality television shows. And now, for a handful of young adults in New York, they are becoming an actual reality. Blissful Bedrooms is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming the bedrooms of young people living with disabilities. They don't have an office, or paid staff, but they do have a website, a Facebook page, and a lengthy ad on Craigslist soliciting volunteers to help with bedroom makeovers.

Click here to register for this event What: Social inclusion occurs when individuals and entire communities of people have access to rights, opportunities, and resources that are usually available to members of American society. People with mental health and substance use problems are more  likely to fully recover and rebuild their lives when they have access not only to care and services, but also to social, economic, educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities that most citizens take for granted.  A socially inclusive society also provides opportunities for individuals in recovery to contribute to their communities as peers, employees, parents, residents, students, volunteers, teachers, and active citizens. Social inclusion provides a policy framework to make this vision a reality.  The SAMHSA ADS Center invites you to a FREE teleconference training to learn about three innovative community programs that are improving lives, changing communities, and transforming systems through social inclusion practices. The training will highlight the promising practices of the 2010 Campaign for Social Inclusion Award recipients, including:  SC SHARE’s Dream Team, which is reaching thousands of young people throughout South Carolina through partnerships with key government, faith, and community leaders. The Dream Team uses lived experience to show that there is hope; that a full, productive life can be the expectation; and that recovery is possible.  Heartland Consumer Network’s Poetry for Personal Power, which is changing lives and influencing educational systems by bringing open mic spoken poetry competitions to colleges throughout Missouri. This program is offering young people with mental health and substance use problems the chance to use personal experience and creativity to inspire others.     Advocacy Unlimited, Inc., which developed a 30-minute documentary titled Shining Stars – Young Adults in Recovery to give a voice to young people with mental health and substance use problems who teach about what recovery looks like and the important role all of us play in supporting each other. This program will be featured during a public viewing of the documentary in June at the State Legislative Office Building in Connecticut.    These SAMHSA-supported community-based efforts will demonstrate how social inclusion programs improve lives, communities, and systems. Participants will also learn how they can apply for the 2011 Campaign for Social Inclusion Awards and become a pioneer for building a socially inclusive America.   Date and Time Monday, May 9, 2011 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Mountain

Families Together is pleased to have Dr. Sally Burton Hoyle present this important information to direct care providers who are working with adults with autism and parents of young adults with autism who are transitioning from school to community life. Dr. Burton Hoyle  grew up helping her brother with autism and, as an adult, she helped him have a meaningful life where he lived in his own apartment close to her family.   She will discuss the critical role of direct care staff in supporting self-determination for persons with autism.

Reserve your spot here!What:This webinar will focus on CDC's Life Course Model and public health approach for rare and complex disabling conditions, such as fragile X syndrome, muscular dystrophy and spina bifida.  Panelists will provide an overview of childhood-onset conditions, discuss current approaches to data collection, and describe how CDC incorporates a life course approach into its work.When: Tuesday, November 29, 20112:00 PM - 3:00 PM MT

  The Department of Defense announced today its introduction of the premium-based Tricare Young Adult Program (TYAP) which extends medical coverage to eligible military family members to the age of 26. 

Click here to Register Online What: This year, the New Community Opportunities Project at ILRU is offering three webinars on the role of the CIL in facilitating and advancing successful youth transition. In the first event, "Youth Taking Charge of Their Own Transition: The Role of CILs," our presenter will provide participants with strategies on how CILs can use existing services they provide for all populations to support youth in transition.  Upon completion of this webinar, participants will have knowledge and resources which will enable them to: Describe tools and strategies for self-assessment of student's needs, interests, and preferences. Assist the student with developing an Independent Living Plan that enables the youth to describe and take charge of their transition process. Through peer mentoring, support students to gain the independent living and advocacy skills necessary for them to achieve their goals. Identify other resources available to youth and young adults that can support them in achieving their goals.  When: April 20, 2011 1:00-2:30pm Mountain Target Audience: Executive directors and staff of centers for independent living involved in the youth transition process. Registration Fee: $75.00 per site. Fee does not apply per participant; registrants are encouraged to gather as many individuals as desired to participate in this webinar. ALL CILs are encouraged to participate in this important training.

Click here to Register Online What: This year, the New Community Opportunities Project at ILRU is offering three webinars on the role of the CIL in facilitating and advancing successful youth transition. In the first event, "Youth Taking Charge of Their Own Transition: The Role of CILs," our presenter will provide participants with strategies on how CILs can use existing services they provide for all populations to support youth in transition.  Upon completion of this webinar, participants will have knowledge and resources which will enable them to: Describe tools and strategies for self-assessment of student's needs, interests, and preferences. Assist the student with developing an Independent Living Plan that enables the youth to describe and take charge of their transition process. Through peer mentoring, support students to gain the independent living and advocacy skills necessary for them to achieve their goals. Identify other resources available to youth and young adults that can support them in achieving their goals.  Target Audience: Executive directors and staff of centers for independent living involved in the youth transition process. Registration Fee: $75.00 per site. Fee does not apply per participant; registrants are encouraged to gather as many individuals as desired to participate in this webinar. ALL CILs are encouraged to participate in this important training.

Click here to register for this event What: Family members, youth, service providers, and researchers will offer perspectives on how to involve families in services in ways that are preferred by youth and young adults. Presenters will discuss the developmental, legal and confidentiality issues that affect young people; the balancing act between families and providers; the role of mentors and adult allies; and the strengths and needs of diverse families.  When: May 24, 2011 11:00am-12:00pm Mountain

Register Online or call 509-335-2321 to register. When: Monday June 28, 2010 11:30 am - 12:30pm Mountain Audience: Head Start Teachers and Staff What: This workshop gives professionals and parents strategies for creating environments that help children who are at risk due to behavior problems.   This workshop will assess the environments and gives specific examples of how to manage the environment to prevent behavior problems and teach appropriate behaviors.   This workshop stresses meeting the needs of the child and presents strategies that are nonpunitive. This workshop discusses behavior management strategies that will be effective for young children who need additional assistance in maintaining or learning appropriate social skills and behaviors at home and at school.  These are children who are disruptive in daycare or preschool settings and/or difficult at home. This workshop will also address the needs of children who display violent behaviors toward adults and other children.

As a wave of kids with autism enter the transition stage, strikingly little is known about the best interventions for teens and young adults with the disorder, a new analysis finds.

Online registration coming soon! What and When:Please Save the Date for the Children Come First Conference and Youth Mental Health Summit in Milwaukee on May 3rd and 4th. See the details below and attached!  You won't want to miss this exciting event and the opportunity for developing action plans to improve youth mental health in Wisconsin!May 3rd:A Day Spent with Dr. Ross Greene, Associate Professor at Harvard University and acclaimed author of The Explosive Child and Lost At School. The day's conversation: Change Starts with Youth. For youth (ages 14-24) led by youth. May 4th (8:00 am - 12:00 pm):From Input to Action, adults and youth ages 14-24 join together to design action plans to improve youth mental health in Wisconsin. Sponsored by Wisconsin Family Ties, Youth Mental Health Connections, Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force.Where:American Serb Hall5101 W. Oklahoma Ave. Milwaukee, WI  Contact:Wisconsin Family TiesPhone: (608) 267-6888 or 800-422-7145 (parents only please)Fax: (608) 267-6801E-mail:  info@wifamilyties.org

You can register here to become a member! You can also download the full flyer here!What:TASH invites you to learn about Building Inclusive High School Communities by participating in this exclusive webinar series featuring leading experts on inclusive education. Creating a truly inclusive high school can be an arduous and complex process, especially as schools already face the challenge of raising academic standards through rigor and high-stakes testing. But as the gateway to adult life, high school should embrace and support all students by creating opportunities for: Self-advocacy Differentiated instruction and Universal Design for Learning Youth Engagement Relationship building and social interactions Engaging in preparation for the quality of life they deserve in the community This series is intended for anyone interested in developing inclusive schools, including parents of middle and high school students, special and general education teachers, special services staff and directors, school administrators, inclusive facilitators and other personnel. When:February 20 - March 20, 2012Accessible 24/7!Contact:Phone: (202) 509-9596Email: pallen@tash.orgWebsite: http://tash.org/conferences-events/webinars/current-webinars/

Developed by a multi-disciplinary team of 15 curriculum experts across the United States and supported by a world-renowned faculty, this first-of-its-kind course provides best and evidence-based practices for those who support the daily-living needs of transition aged students, young adults and adults with autism and related disabilities, because it’s online, it’s flexible and can meet your needs.