The MYTI Project: Mississippi Model Youth Transition Initiative

1. The MYTI Project: Mississippi Model Youth Transition Initiative A project funded by the Social Security Administration through Mississippi�s Dept. of Rehabilitation Services for Gulfport Schools and Harrison County Schools

2. Areas of Focus for Project Improving school to adult transition by customizing employment outcomes Offering access to benefits counseling for parents of students -- 10�21 yrs. old Adopting a presumption of employment for all students

3. Project Partners MS DRS and MS Dept. of Education/Special Ed as lead agencies MS Development Authority MS Developmental Disabilities Council Local WIN Center Gulfport MS Social Security Administration Attorney General of MS Gulfport Schools Harrison County Schools The Arc of Mississippi

4. Targeted Students The project will focus on students with disabilities from 10 � 21 years of age who are currently receiving SSI payment or who are likely to receive SSI at eighteen years of age. Particular focus will be toward students: with significant disabilities, deaf/blind, and emotionally handicapped.

5. Project Overview MYTI is a federal grant from Social Security Administration to Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services It lasts for 5 years: 2003-2008/9 There are two kinds of services: Information and Intensive Students have to be selected for Intensive Services

6. What you can expect from the project! Transition Employment Activities for different ages of students Social Security Benefit waivers and assistance Introduction to the One-Stop Center

7. Your Child has been selected!Now What? Different Things happen at Different Times Phase 1 � Students 10 to 13 years old Phase 2 � Students 14 to 18 years old Phase 3 � Students 19 to 21 years old Phase 4 � Students 22 to 25 years old

8. DiscoveryAll Phases Discovery is a process to �get to know the best of your child� Questions about your child How they do things Who they know Observations and conversations with you and your child Teachers or staff asking to come to your home to learn about the student Going with you or your child in the community or at school

9. Profiles & Portfolios Both offer the �best of the student� Both are approved by student and family before it is considered complete A form to capture the information discovered about the student Profile - a write up of the information learned about the student Informational Portfolio - a set of pictures and words that describe the student Life Portfolio � a scrape book like description of the student

10. Work Experience-Employment PlansPhase 2- 4, students age 14 - 25 A meeting with student, family, and teacher & staff to develop a �template� of important information about the student What are the conditions of the work environment- (inside, same people, someone to help) What motivates the student, area of interest What are the student contributions to offer the employer

11. �Connecting the Dots�at the planning meeting What tasks does the student do or potentially can do What employers are in the �interest area� of the student-have the right conditions at the work site-and may need the student�s contributions Student and family identify the employers they want the staff to contact Identify �who� in the meeting knows someone at the targeted employers.

12. Work Experiences A small number of hours a week with an employer learning a job Typically no longer than 6 weeks Unpaid Should be in places where typical students do work experiences

13. Work Jobs Paid work from the targeted list of employers Time limited or Ongoing, this is identified in the planning meeting Supports are identified in the planning meeting under ideal conditions for the student

14. Work Self employment � a natural way for students under 16 to earn income Typically around the home Offering assistance, such as dog walking, house watching, helping in the yard, making something to sell

15. Student Accounts A student account is a small amount of funds set aside for the student to be able to purchase supports school/agencies can not offer-always to get a job or set up self employment The Arc of Mississippi maintains these funds and they have to have a plan to be expended, amount varies based on plan Example, a student can ride with some other student to a job. They pay the student for a tank of gas once a month out of their student account.

16. Phase 2-3 CoordinatorHarrison County Schools Kathy Williams Harrison County Schools Coordinates these student activities with the teachers and families Office at Harrison County Special Education building

17. Phase 2: Full Transition For Students 14-18 years old Discovery & Profile Employment or Work Experience Plan Employment experiences and part-time paid employment Student budgets with teacher direction Benefits counseling

18. Phase 2-3 CoordinatorGulfport School District Chris Carter Gulfport School District Coordinates these student activities with the teacher & families Office at Gulfport Special Ed. Department

19. Phase 3: Employment Transition Discovery & Profile Employment or Work Experience Plan Employment experiences and part-time paid employment Student budgets with family direction Benefits counseling

20. Project Navigator Bryan Raby MDRS Coordinates interactions with the selection committee & one-stop center

21. Benefits Counselor Christina (Tina) Gorman MS. Dept. of Rehab Services Provides benefit counseling for students in all Phases Individual appointments with students & families Office at the WIN Job Center

22. Benefit Counseling Information about social security benefits A confidential in-depth review of the student�s financial and work situation to plan for work and continued benefits Assistance in completing any forms for social security Research on specific situations involving social security

23. What�s next Each student is at different places in the process, get with your Phase Coordinator to see where your child is in the process Set up an appointment with the Benefit Counselor, Tina Gorman

24. The Arc of Mississippi Partnership Also connects project to local employers Available for all phase students and their families Contact your phase coordinator for his assistance or call him at 1-800-401-1044

25. What are your questions?What are your interests? MYTI Questions for you Are you interested in another parent meeting a couple of times a year to talk to other parents? Would you be interested in �journaling� your child�s story of project participation with your feelings?