FDDC Initiatives Supporting the Taxonomy for Transition Programming

FDDC Initiatives Supporting the Taxonomy for Transition Programming 2. 0 VISIONS Conference May 2, 2018

Overview/Introduction • Acronyms • Introduction to FDDC • FDDC elementary through postsecondary transition goals, objectives, and activities/initiatives • Taxonomy for Transition Programming 2. 0 • Correlation handout • Key FDDC initiatives that support key concepts from the Taxonomy • FDDC supporting resources 2

Commonly Used Acronyms • • • CTE (Career and Technical Education), AKA vocational education CTP (Comprehensive Transition Program) DDs (Developmental Disabilities) FCSUA (Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities) FDDC (Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. ) FPCTP (Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program) INDs (Intellectual Disabilities) PSAV (Postsecondary Adult Vocational) TPSID (Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities) 3

Introduction to the FDDC 4

What is FDDC, Inc. ? • Purpose of DD Act and FDDC • People with intellectual (INDs) and developmental disabilities (DDs) and their families should have the community services, individualized supports and other assistance they need that promote selfdetermination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life 5

Current FDDC Program Areas of Emphasis • Elementary through Postsecondary Transition • Employment • Self-Advocacy • Housing • Transportation • Workforce • Primary contact for Elementary through Postsecondary Transition, Rick Lockenbach 6

FDDC Secondary through Postsecondary Transition Initiatives 7

Elementary to Postsecondary Transition Goal • Goal 3 • Ultimate goal outcome – elementary through post-school transition into meaningful post-school outcomes with adequate supports and services • Improvements to transition services • Improvements to policies or practices 8

Transition Objectives and Activities/Initiatives • Objective 1: Collaborate with agencies, school districts, and programs to create or expand two or more practices designed to improve transition outcomes for students with INDs and DDs from elementary through postsecondary education/training • Activity 1: Develop a system to provide transition services to students with INDs and DDs, with an emphasis on students with the most significant disabilities, including youth previously thought unemployable • Activity 2: Provide technical assistance and support to increase expansion of and access to at least three models of postsecondary education for students with IDs and DDs • Activity 3: Develop and implement advocacy and communication efforts in conjunction with Florida’s self-advocates, family members and other key stakeholders to address needed changes to statutes, rules, policies, procedures and/or funding/staffing issues to improve transition services and outcomes for individuals with INDs and DDs 9

Transition Objectives and Activities Continued • Objective 2: Improve access to and completion of postsecondary education and training programs by a minimum 10% increase over baseline data for students who identify as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Hispanic/Latino • Activity 1: Conduct research and sets targets for improvement • Activity 2: Conduct outreach efforts to identify key barriers and proposed solutions • Activity 3: Collaborate with all stakeholders to create, market and implement programs, supports, and strategies for improvement. • Addresses targeted disparity found in completing postsecondary education and training programs, particularly state colleges programs 10

Taxonomy for Transition Programming 2. 0 Paula D. Kohler, Ph. D. , June E. Gothberg, Ph. D. , Catherine Fowler, Ph. D. , Jennifer Coyle, Ed. D. 11

Taxonomy for Transition Programming 2. 0 • Primary Practice Areas • • • Student-Focused Planning Student Development Interagency Collaboration Program Structures Family Engagement • FDDC initiatives support these practice areas in one or more ways (see handout) 12

Key FDDC Initiatives

Educators, We Need Your Help! Improving Elementary through Postsecondary Transition Services • In year one, use a framework of Florida and national best practices to develop a strategic plan and summary report that: • Prioritizes strategies and practices for each age range (elementary through postsecondary education) • Provide input by completing an anonymous survey on implementation of key transition services for students with IND and DD who have the most significant disabilities within your classroom or school district • At the VISIONS Conference • Online at https: //www. surveygizmo. com/s 3/4326419/Exploring-Elementary-through -Postsecondary-Transition-Services • Parent and other stakeholder surveys, stay tuned! 14

FDDC Support for Comprehensive CTE Postsecondary Programs for Students with INDs and DDs • FDDC has funded two projects in Florida’s dual career and technical education (CTE) system that transition secondary students with INDs and DDs to postsecondary education in an effort to create two postsecondary models: • Project Achieve/Vertical at Florida State College at Jacksonville, a state college initiative • Project TOPS at Robert Morgan Education Center and Technical College, a school district initiative 15

Why Does FDDC Support Postsecondary CTE Options for Students? • Students enrolled in postsecondary adult vocational programs (PSAV) can earn meaningful credentials that lead to employment: • Occupational Completion Points (OCPs) • Certificates of completion • Industry certification • With additional support, students with disabilities master the same CTE competencies as other students • From 2011 -16, students enrolled in Project Achieve PSAV Programs completed at a 72% rate (49 of 68 students) 16

Project TOPS Achievements • In year two, all students earned at least one OCP in their CTE program • Project TOPS is approved as an Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program (FPCTP), one of five currently approved CTE FPCTPs • A student earned a bronze medal in Skills. USA (career and technical student organization) national competition in employment preparation! • Two students and Project Director Dr. Vivian Vieta provided the keynote address at this year’s Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities Planning Institute 17

Education Resources that Support Inclusive Postsecondary Education and CTE • Project Achieve Replication Guide (2015) • Expanding CTE Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Webinar • Florida Postsecondary Options Guide (2016) • Lists and provides relevant information about Florida postsecondary programs that serve students with INDs and DDs at universities, state colleges, technical colleges, and private programs 18

Improving Postsecondary Outcomes • New project designed to improve postsecondary access and completion by students who meet eligibility for Autism Spectrum Disorder and who identify as Hispanic/Latino • Key focus on Florida State Colleges • Identify barriers and develop strategies to address concerns • Statewide focus groups and other data collection methods to be implemented soon… 19

Universal Design for Learning Training • During the current school year, FDDC funded UDL training for select school districts, Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System (FDLRS), Florida Inclusion Network (FIN), and other personnel who support school districts • In partnership with the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) and FDLRS, this professional development included: • Eight weeks of online book training facilitated by FDLRS • CAST provided two days of regional training, three follow-up webinars, and additional technical support 20

First Steps Guide: A Guide to Your Child’s Development • An easy-to-read guide that helps parents of children with INDs and DDs and other stakeholders understand these disabilities from birth through the life of their child • Education from early childhood through postsecondary education • Topics include inclusion, rights and responsibilities, government assistance, life after school, resources, definitions, etc. 21

FYI Transition • FYI Transition at http: //www. fyitransition. org provides information for students with disabilities, their families, and transition professionals related to transition, career and postsecondary education, and employment • Transition professionals • • Florida and national links Success stories Self-determination Post-school • Student modules include: • Money and health management • Community life • Employment and postsecondary education • Parent resources 22

Disability Awareness Through English and Language Arts • Disability Awareness Through English and Language Arts: Resources for Middle and High School • Lessons are tied to state education standards; supplementary resources available through FDLRS Live Binders • Disability Awareness Through Language Arts and Literacy: Resources for Prekindergarten and Elementary School (2012 and 2016) • Revised in 2016 to meet updated elementary education curriculum frameworks 23

Project Search • Provides real-life work experience and training in employability and independent living skills to help youths with significant disabilities transition from school to productive adult life • Students attend a full school year in the host business • The host business provides access to an on-site classroom that is staffed by a special education teacher and one to three job coaches • Contact Carly Detlefsen at Project 10 at (904) 651 -2115 or cdetlefsen@usfsp. edu 24

Employment First Florida • Intended to foster integrated competitive employment for persons with disabilities as a priority outcome through collaborative efforts • Beginning in 2013, and led to Employment First Act Legislation in 2016 • Multiple state and local grassroots efforts • The Florida Grassroots Group of self-advocates and stakeholders (including educators) is a cross section of persons with various disabilities • The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) hosts quarterly Grassroots Group employment-related webinars under FDDC contract • More information at http: //www. employmentfirstfl. org • Employment First Messaging DVD • Details Employment First collaborative efforts 24

Changing Face of Benefits • Workbook with information about Social Security disability programs and Medicaid/Medicare • Online course at http: //www. floridabenefits. org for students and others (in English and Spanish) 26

Let’s Get Everyone to Work • Let’s Get Everyone to Work resources for families, professionals, and employers • DVDs for families • Teaching Toolkit for Pre-Service Professionals • Marketing Toolkit for Employers 27

My Health Care • Florida HATS (Health and Transition Services) at http: //www. floridahats. org promotes successful transition from pediatric to adult health care; resources include: • • Independent living Secondary and postsecondary education Advocacy My Health Care curriculum and other health care • Now available in CPALMS 28

Guardianship Alternatives and Restoration of Rights • Updated Lighting the Way resources • Provides resources on legal rights, decision-making options, and transfer of all legal rights at age 18 • Supports individual’s independence and autonomy in decision-making and considering less restrictive alternatives to guardianship • Includes manuals for persons with INDs and DDs, persons who support these individuals (including educators), and legal professionals • Fact sheets and resources for use in Individual Educational Plan (IEP) development and transfer of rights at age 18 for educators, parents/guardians, and students 29

FDDC Supporting Resources and Related Initiatives

FDDC Publications and Other Resources Online • To join our listserv, download and/or order FDDC resources, go to FDDC Resource Page at http: //www. fddc. org/publications, click on the appropriate program area: • • • CHILD DEVELOPMENT (click) COMMUNITY LIVING (click) EDUCATION (click) EMPLOYMENT (click) HEALTH CARE (click) LEGAL & REFERENCE (click) SELF ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP (click) SPECIAL INTEREST PUBLICATIONS (click) Archived Resources (click) 31

Florida SAND (Self-Advocates Network’D) • Statewide self-advocate organization • Students can participate in one of 14 local self-advocate groups • Florida SAND website at www. flsand. org is a communication hub of information and resources for self-advocates 32

Additional Resources that Support Transitioning Students • Sexuality Across the Lifespan for Children and Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities • Guides for educators and parents/caregivers in English and Spanish • Connections Guide: Tools and Resources for Adult Life (2016) • Stress and What You Can Do About It, for persons with INDs and DDs 33

This Graphic by a Project TOPS Student Is a Reminder! • With the right kinds of supports, our students with disabilities can achieve amazing things! • We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, but need to maximize the resources available to us. • We must keep pushing the envelope for what we and others can expect our students to achieve. 34

For more information: Rick Lockenbach, Esq. Program Manager rickl@fddc. org (850) 488 -4180 http: //www. fddc. org 35