June 2023
As school years around Ohio finally start to wind down and end, we hope everyone can take a moment this summer to refill their cup. We know the last two school years have been hard on everyone – people served, youth transitioning to adulthood, families and caregivers, educators, and professionals. Whether you start a new book, take a vacation, or enjoy a stay-cation, please take time to recharge yourself.
If you find yourself looking for trainings, webinars and new tools for your tool belt, please check out some of our projects below.
Have a wonderful summer,
The Lifespan Transitions Center Team at OCALI
Ohio State Fair Sensory-Friendly Morning
We’ve turned down the lights and volume to make the Ohio State Fair more sensory-friendly. Ride the rides with no flashing lights or music. Visit the Fair’s many educational and sensory activities in the morning with fewer crowds.
Take a break in Natural Resources Park or our soothing Quiet Room. In partnership with OCALI, the Ohio State Fair has worked to provide an environment that accommodates sensory differences. Join us Wednesday, August 2, 2023, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. to be fully included in the fair community. To learn more about the sensory-friendly morning and how to prepare for your visit, click here.
The Journey: May Webinar Available On-demand
Fueling Up with Self and Others!
Presenter: Sarah Buffie, MSW, LSW
Caregivers and support professionals are often glorified for putting everyone's needs before their own. No more! Focusing on YOU with the support of safe others is the key to healthy relationships, work/life balance and finding joy in our days no matter the stressors that arise. In this session we'll engage in some self-reflection about the areas in our life that could use some TLC and identify practices and people to join us as we center our own needs and well-being.
Check back next school year for a new season of Journey webinars. We will still be playing live webinars on the third Monday at 2:30pm. See you in August!
Ohio Tech Summit 2023
Hear from families | Engage with Expert Explore | Technology Solutions
From smart home and assistive technologies to independent transportation options, this event offers attendees a chance to learn about different kinds of current and emerging technology options to support people with developmental disabilities who want more independence in their lives.
Benefits Summary and Analysis
Presented by: Paula Washek, Benefits and Supports Specialist from Clearwater Council of Governments. See how a person’s earnings from work will affect the benefits they receive. Watch now.
Take 5 REWIND!
Have you found a few more moments in your day? Does your youth want to start preparing for their next chapter in life? Review these two Take 5's:
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities- College2Careers Program
Presented by: Kristin Garrett, Program Administrator for OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Explore College Options with OOD!
How2Life App
Learn about a new App that will help any youth learn skills through various short modules covering Anti-bullying, emotional well-being, and wellness! Explore app.
Early Transition Planning Webpage
Explore Employment First’s latest webpage – Early Transition Planning – where families and educators of elementary school students with disabilities can learn how they can ease into the transition planning process at a young age. With two buckets of resources titled, Start Talking and Connect for Support, there is a resource for everyone!
2023 Innovation Series
The 2023 Innovation Series provided the opportunity for stakeholders to share strategies and address obstacles related to Employment, Technology, Transition, Supporting People with Significant Needs, and Plans & Outcomes. The increasing complexities of our society and challenges faced within the developmental disability system require us to work collaboratively to discover a shared path forward. The series is designed to grow and foster networks that empower a diverse group of people to connect, collaborate, and innovate to create a future system of supports that works for all. Come discover what you may have missed!
Establishing Families as Partners in the Secondary Transition Planning Process - Learning Series Opportunity
Establishing Families as Partners in the Secondary Transition Planning Process is a cross-agency learning experience designed for local professionals working to prepare, involve, and empower families of students with disabilities as they transition from secondary education to adulthood. OCALI, in partnership with the Ohio Employment First Taskforce and its member agencies, created this training to work in tandem with the written guide, It Starts With Families.
The guide and training are designed to increase the capacity of agency personnel to understand the following topics through the lens of secondary transition:
- the value of family partnerships,
- cultural and linguistically diverse families,
- implicit bias and the evolution of disability,
- having authentic and necessary conversations,
- and universal design for learning (UDL), which includes creating and redesigning communication and experiences to better represent and serve families.
This learning series is targeted to: local cross-agency professionals from local schools, career-technical centers and education service centers, county boards of developmental disabilities, mental health providers, counselors and supervisors from Opportunities from Ohioans with Disabilities, and anyone providing service and support to transition-age youth with disabilities. Check out the Establishing Families Professional Learning Series video to learn more.
Take the next step and sign up for your cross-agency training today by emailing: ItStartsWithFamilies@dodd.ohio.gov.