Transition: Disability Mentoring Day

1. Transition: Disability Mentoring Day Bradford Sullivan Lycoming & Tioga

2. Presenters • Brenda Roberts, BLaST IU 17 • broberts@iu17.org 570-673-6001 • Chris Herman, Loyalsock Township School District • cherman@loyalsocklancers.org 570-323-5326 • Jessica Bower, PA Dept. of Health • jesbower@state.pa.us 570-327-3400 • Marcella Pritz, East Lycoming School District • mpritz@eastlycoming.net 570-584-5111 • Jean Cohick, Williamsport Area School District • jcohick@wasd.org 570-323-8411

3. History • PA Disability Mentoring Day • Lycoming Co. EmployAbility Day • Bradford Co. Work With Me Day • Tioga Co. Ability Awareness Day

4. Planning • Start planning about 6-8 months ahead • Gain support of participating school districts • Other helpful supports: OVR, MH/MR, IU, CareerLink, CIL, DOH • Planning team includes: school district staff, IU staff, MH/MR staff, OVR staff, DOH staff, CareerLink staff, anyone who has an interest in assisting

5. 6-8 months ahead -Hold planning meeting -Review district/student expectations -review application packets for revisions -choose location, price & menu for luncheon -choose # students participating from each school 2 weeks ahead -Hold planning meeting -confirm student placements -finalize count for luncheon -finalize student transportation -Assign photographer(s) for day of event 2 weeks after -Mail mentor certificates and evaluations 2 months ahead -student applications returned -hold planning meeting -begin student placements 4 months ahead -Hold planning meeting -finalize student application packet -distribute student applications to schools -choose guest speaker for luncheon 1 month ahead -Hold planning meeting -finalize student placements -send confirmation letter to mentors & invite them to luncheon -confirm location and menu for luncheon -confirm guest speaker -contact media Day of event -take photos/video of students at mentoring sites -luncheon -distribute student certificat -collect student evaluations Planning timeline

6. District responsibilities Participation in planning meetings Assist in student placement Transportation Cost of lunch for students/staff Student preparation Student responsibility Appropriate dress for site Appropriate behavior Transportation? Expectations

7. Selection Process • Students were chosen by Transition Coordinator/school counselor/teacher • Students were in learning support classes • Due to space constraints-districts were limited to 5 student participants • Students filled out application-with parental permission • Applications returned to transition council-planning team

8. Application • Personal information • Intended post-school outcomes • Post-secondary education/training • Employment • Community living • Employment experience • Career interests • Clusters (administration, animal care, automotive, child care, clerical, education, floral design, food services, maintenance/HVAC, retail sales, etc… • Consent form • Photo release

9. Placements • Students return application with top three career interests indicated • Committee meets to discuss placement with appropriate mentors • Committee members secure placements with mentors

10. Mentoring responsibilities • Agree to participate • Receive letter • Engage student in learning process • Demonstrate skills needed for employment • Provide first-hand job experiences • Attend luncheon-if possible

11. Restaurants Preschools Animal hospitals Construction/carpentry Computer Technology School districts Maintenance Teaching Technical Department Car dealerships Auto repair Sales SPCA DEP DOH US Postal Service Health System Hair/Nail Salons Fire/Police Department Accounting/Law Firms Floral Shops Churches (Pastors) Participating Businesses

12. Students Meeting people that I want to work with in a few years I liked meeting with people in the job field I want to be in We got to see what the job was like everyday Make it longer Make it more than one day Mentors I enjoyed working with the student That student had a disability? Not enough time Student was very interested in learning what I was doing Feedback

13. Transportation • School Districts • Parents & Students • For student drivers a copy of driver’s license was submitted with application • Committee members

14. Publicity • Local newspapers • Press release • Onsite reporter • TV • Plan for this year • Video Clips • May use at school board meetings • Use to entice future student participation

15. Day of Event • Students report to school • Transport to mentoring site • Mentoring site-about 3 hours • Transport to luncheon site • Transport back to school/mentoring site/home

16. Luncheon • Welcome • Program • complete evaluation forms • Luncheon-pizza, boxed lunches, catered • Guest speaker • Motivational-Talk about how to get & keep a job • Student Speakers • Talk (1-2 minutes) about highlights of their day • Presentation of student participation certificates • Paid by schools ($5.00/person) • Speaker-token of appreciation • Student give-aways

17. Wrap-up • Students fill out evaluation forms • Certificates of appreciation, evaluation forms and thank you cards are mailed to mentors • Debriefing meetings • Set dates for next year