2008 Statewide Transition Conference Transition: Bridge to the Future

1. 2008 Statewide Transition ConferenceTransition: Bridge to the Future Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) Panel Discussion on Interagency Collaboration to Improve Transition Services and Understand each Agency�s Services Presented by: State Agency Representatives Participating on the ICC

2. Illinois Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) Established by the Illinois General Assembly via the Interagency Coordinating Council Act, 20 ILCS 3970 in 1990. The mission of the Council is to facilitate collaboration among state agencies and improve outcomes for youth with disabilities. Collect and provide vital data and information from and to stakeholders. Provide consultation and technical assistance to state and local stakeholders Assist state and local stakeholders in establishing interagency agreements Provide in-service training to consumers for developing and improving awareness of transition services Provide an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly on activities of the previous year

3. Illinois State Board of Education(ISBE) Christopher Koch, Superintendent Beth Hanselman, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and ICC Co-Chair Sue Walter and Melanie Fleenor, Council Participants

4. Illinois State Board of Education(ISBE) Expansion of information and resources available via the website�Secondary Transition web page Indicator 13 and 14 pages Wide range of resources (e.g., Illinois Indicator 13 Checklist, and age-appropriate transition assessments, FACTS resources, National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) and more) Active participation in available opportunities to expand inter- and intra-agency collaboration and cooperation to improve outcomes for students with disabilities Statewide Transition Conference Annual allocation of $ to support student and family participation in the conference as presenters and attendees

5. Illinois State Board of Education(ISBE) Planning for web courses and podcasts on a range of transition topics Transition Practices Self-Assessment (TPSA) District self-assessment tool based on Paula Kohler�s Taxonomy of Transition Practices On-line entry of assessment data with reports to aid in interpreting and using the data for district improvement planning Illinois Statewide Technical Assistance Center (IS-TAC) Bringing together technical assistance and training projects of ISBE to better serve students, families, districts and other community stakeholders

6. Department of Human Services, Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Robert Kilbury, Director Marva Campbell-Pruitt, Council Co-Chair

7. Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) DRS helps high school students with disabilities plan for their future with services provided through the Transition Program and the Secondary Transitional Experience Program (STEP). Our counselors work closely with Transition Specialists housed in high schools, staff in individual schools and school districts, and community partners to help students achieve their employment, post-secondary education, and independent living goals. DRS Transition/STEP has been recognized by its federal partner, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), as a model program that they recommend other states across the nation review. RSA was impressed with the collaborative effort between the State Board of Education, local school districts and Vocational Rehabilitation in Illinois and the way transition services are provided to students across the state.

8. Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) DRS facilitates the enhancement of local transition services by supporting Transition Planning Committees (TPCs). These TPCs identify existing resources and unmet needs, facilitate an ongoing exchange of information, and develop local customer training programs. In FY 2008, 41 active TPCs served 98 Illinois counties. There were 24 projects and activities funded for local TPCs that made provisions for web sites, resource materials, public awareness flyers, and resource/transition fairs. DRS joins with many partners to offer a wide variety of transition outreach activities throughout the year. With the collaboration of numerous state-wide agencies, the 2007 Transition Conference offered 625 participants (vocational rehabilitation staff, educators, health-care providers, youth, families, and community representatives) the opportunity to explore transition options that support positive post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities. Interesting to note is that the Cook County Juvenile Department sent 13 probation officers to learn how to meet the needs of youth with disabilities.

9. Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) It is these collaborative efforts that enhance opportunities for students and their families and better prepare them to make appropriate and sound vocational choices. 18,700 transition students were served in FY 2008, including 15,898 students and 2,802 non-STEP students. DRS caseloads for transition-aged youth total 42% of the Agency�s served population. In FY 2008, DRS provided 156 STEP contracts serving approximately 600 high schools.

10. Jack Lavin, DirectorLisa Jones, WIA Policy ManagerBureau of Workforce Development620 E. Adams Springfield, IL 62701(F) 217-558-2443(F) 217-558-2444www.commerce.state.il.us

11. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) DCEO uses a wide range of innovative regional approaches to administer economic and workforce development programs, services and initiatives. Partnerships 26 workNet Areas, other state agencies and community based organizations Education Through its disabilityworks initiative, DCEO is collaborating with the Metro Chicago Healthcare to expand and improve healthcare secondary and post-secondary education programs to include people with disabilities. Employment Partnering with 26 Illinois workNet Areas, IDES, disabilityworks, other state agencies, civic organizations, universities and 45 Comprehensive One-Stop Centers and 72 Affiliate Centers to provide connections, resources and services to job seekers Awarded the High Technology School to Work grant to disabilityworks Chicago Mayor�s Office for People with Disabilities, the Chicago Public Schools, and local colleges and universities to provide students with disabilities, who have demonstrated an inters in Information Technology opportunities to participate in internships with major corporations in Chicago.

12. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Post-Secondary Training (e.g., work skills, social skills, self-advocacy skills, health/medical skills) Collaborations with community colleges, contracted training providers and other community or state agencies to enhance necessary skills.= disabilityworks has collaborated with Southern Illinois University to develop the Transition to Employment (T2E) program � a comprehensive career services program Rehabilitation Services disabilityworks links employers, educational training agencies, disability/employment service providers, and the non-profit sector with people with disabilities � http://www.disabilityworks.org/ Transportation One of several authorized support services the WIA Program provides to eligible participants

13. UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children Health Care Transition(DSCC)

14. UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children Health Care Transition Anticipatory guidance to help youth develop independence in their health care Train, provide technical assistance, and promote health care transition in IEP�s, 504 plans, and with providers Provide care coordination, referrals, & information

15. Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS/DDD)

16. Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS/DDD) The role of Developmental Disabilities Pre-Screening (DDPAS) Agencies Eligibility criteria as a person with a developmental disability The Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) selection process

17. Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) Chicago Springfield 100 W. Randolph 830 South Spring Street James R. Thompson Bldg, Suite 10-600 Springfield, IL 62704 Chicago, IL 60604 (P) 217.782.9696 (P) 312-814-2080 (F) 217.524.5339 (F) 312.814.7141 www.state.il.us/agency/icdd

18. Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) Mission Ways we carry out our mission Selected Projects: Blueprint For System Redesign In Illinois My Voice: Multi Media For Youth (. . . ) New Visions Speak Up And Speak Out Summit

19. Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)

20. Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)  www.ILWorkInfo.com/icrn

21. The Career Information System (CIS) is free for all Illinois citizens

22. CIS has�. A text-only option Assessments for interests, skills, values and preferences Links to schools, colleges and financial aid Ideas for non-traditional careers, summer work and other options, as well as info on over 500 occupations CIS �Recommended Links� has a section on disabilities & careers Reality check (in both CIS and CIS Junior) connects education & goals

23. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Barry Maram, Director Pat Curtis, Bureau Chief Sandra Mott, Project Director, Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and Council Member

24. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities (HBWD) Administers healthcare programs for special populations Working people with disabilities, veterans, and people on Medicaid spend down HBWD will be expanding income guidelines and asset thresholds by February, 2009 Enables people with disabilities (age 16 � 64) to earn AND save for their retirement without losing healthcare coverage! Example: Household of 1 � Current monthly income limit = $1,733 per month�new limit will be $3,034 Household of 2 � Current monthly income limit = $2,333 per month�new limit will be $4,084 Current asset limit = $10,000�new asset limit = $25,000 NO limit to retirement accounts!

25. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG) Initially funded the development of the HBWD program and in 2008 funds the Strategic Plan for Illinois to reduce barriers to employment for people with disabilities. Strategic plan identified barriers to employment as stated by people with disabilities, parents, employers, and service providers. Strategic Plan specifically addresses transition issues for youth with disabilities.

26. Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Youth activities in Strategic Plan Work with schools and transition programs to increase education and work expectations for youth Promote current DCEO and other state employment and training programs for youth Work with the IBHE and ICCB relative to accessibility and education beyond high school Benefits planning for youth and parents Community self-assessment tool to ensure communities have resources necessary for successful transition from school to work; Career development literature and web-based resources regarding life and work expectations for students from an early age.

27. Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health (DMH) Dr. Lorrie Rickman Jones, Director Alan Dietrich and Adjoa Denise Blalock Council Participants

28. Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health (DMH) Expanded funding of Mental Health Transition Services for Youth Initiative to five (5) additional community mental health centers. Currently, ten (10) funded providers located throughout the state Established specialized intervention services to support youth 16 � 18 with mental health needs transition to adulthood and/or adult mental health services Collaboration with DCFS to coordinate mental health services to youth with serious emotional disturbance aging out of DCFS ICG (Individual Care Grant) transition services

29. Illinois Board of Higher Education(IBHE) Judy Erwin, Director Ocheng Jany, Council Member 431 E Adams, Suite # 2Springfield, IL 62701(P) 217-557-7361 (F) 217-782-8548

30. Illinois Board of Higher Education(IBHE) Increasing and improving web access Increasing employment opportunities for graduates with disabilities by working with business and industry Establishment of a transition inclusion camp for students with disabilities Text conversion to Braille and other formats Creation of a Special Education Assistive Technology Center for Higher Education Increasing and improving academic support Working with campuses to improve data collection and reporting about students with disabilities

31. Illinois Community College Board(ICCB) Geoff Obrzut, Director Andrea Berryman, Council Member 401 East Capitol Avenue Springfield, IL 62701-1711 (P) 217-785-0028 (F) 217-785-0090

32. Illinois Community College Board(ICCB) Promoting and improving transition within the community college system Coordination and collaboration with other state agencies Public agenda for Illinois higher education American Diploma Project