Day 3 Kick-off
8-8:30 a.m. (On-Demand)
Dr. Cinda Johnson (she/her/hers), CCTS
Justin DeFour, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Kick off the start of your day with Dr. Cinda Johnson from CCTS and Justin DeFour from DVR! They’re joined by members of the CCTS team who share some welcome messages, an overview of today’s sessions, logistical reminders, and a question to consider throughout the day.
Learning from Our Past: A Forward View of of Special Education Transition Services in Washington
9-9:50 a.m. (Live)
Glenna Gallo (she/her), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Dr. Tania May (she/her/hers), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
OSPI Special Education leadership will share reflections on Washington’s past, present, and future for special education transition services. The discussion will start with an overview of state-level transition data and framing the call to action for disrupting inequitable traditions and patterns in special education transition. The look forward will address what it will take to scale and sustain improved post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.
PPT: Learning from Our Past: A Forward View | PDF: Learning from Our Past: A Forward View | View Recording: Learning from Our Past: A Forward View
Nontraditional Employment
10-10:50 a.m. (Live)
Venus Dean-Bullinger (she/her/hers), Sound Outreach
Brianna Durham, AJAC
Derek Jones, AJAC
This is a live panel session with representatives from ANEW and AJAC. In this session, learn about what ANEW’s Youth Exploration Program offers youth in nontraditional pathways, and collaborating with our organization to serve the youth. A career exploration program that offers in-school youth who identify with a IEP/504 plan ages 14-21 opportunities to learn more about nontraditional careers in the trades. We focus on work-readiness training for 14–21-year-old and paid work-based learning for 16-21-year-old. From Seattle to Spokane, the Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) is committed to the development, implementation, and maintenance of thriving apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs for the purpose of creating the next generation of highly skilled manufacturing workers in Washington State. Learn about how AJAC serves a variety of industries in Washington State for apprenticeship training including: food processing, packaging and assembly, aerospace, maritime manufacturing, biomedical, defense, and space.
Journey to Independence: Parent and Student Perspectives
11-11:50 a.m. (Live)
Susan Jackson, Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment
Sandi Gruberg
Merena Gruberg
Carla Richards
Kenny Richards
Cody Richards
Kris Hirschmann (she/her/hers), CCTS
This facilitated panel of youth and parents will talk about their journey towards independence. Participants will hear the stories from the youth and their families describing the supports they have found in the community, successes and challenges they have experienced along the way. They will also share thoughts they have about what could have made their journey smoother.
Navigating Transition Services – Family Perspectives
12-12:50 p.m. (Live)
Sam Blazina (she/her/hers), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
William Blazina
Kayla Horn
Mike Horn
Dustin Krall (he/him/his), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Robin Worley (she/her/hers), CCTS
This panel session includes three families that will share their experiences of navigating transition services with their youth from high school and beyond. They will share their struggles and successes as well as provide insight and suggestions for families and other stakeholders who work with youth and young adults.
View Recording: Navigating Transition Services – Family Perspectives
Career Connect Washington
1-1:50 p.m. (On-Demand)
Anna Nikolaeva (she/her), Career Connect Washington
Tana Peterman (she/her), Career Connect Washington
This presentation will provide an overview of Career Connect Washington, speak to the equity survey that was completed, share examples of how Career Connect WA have taken recommendations and are addressing accessibility. The presentation will wrap up with strategies for reaching students with disabilities.
WSU Demonstration Project: Planning and Development of the Washington Transition Program
1-1:50 p.m. (On-Demand)
Lauren Bruno (she/her/hers), Washington State University
Dr. Don McMahon (he/him/his), Washington State University
Dr. Marcus Poppen (he/him/his), Washington State University
Dr. Holly Whittenburg (she/her/hers), Washington State University
During the 2021/2022 school year, a few schools from around the state will be participating in a model demonstration and capacity building project designed to increase the availability, accessibility, and coordination of Vocational Rehabilitation services, including pre-employment transition services. The model demonstration and capacity building project will be led by partners at Washington State University and has been informed by a series of recent focus groups with educators, regional transition consultants, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and contractors. Watch this pre-recorded session to learn what stakeholders have to say about their experiences with collaboration to support transition services for youth, how these experiences have informed the essential features of the upcoming model demonstration and capacity building project, and how to show your interest in participating as a site.
Making Meaning: The Power of Post-School Outcome Data 