March 2024
Early Transition Planning Strategies and Sessions
We know starting transition planning in elementary school can help students be better prepared for life after school. But where should families, educators, and students begin with early transition planning?
On Ohio’s Employment First website, we have assembled tools and resources in two areas: Start Talking and Connect for Support. By starting conversations about adult life goals and visions, families and IEP teams can intentionally build annual goals, identify skill areas to develop, and find opportunities for students to explore their talents and interests. In the Start Talking section, you will find simple tools and strategies for anyone – families, caregivers, students, educators, and more – to help identify and discuss goals, visions, and/or outcomes.
In the Connect for Support section, families can find organizations who offer various education opportunities to better understand systems that can support them and their child and connections with other families on similar journeys. These and other caregiver support organizations can help families find meaningful information and relationships.
This April and May, you will find ways to help youth in grades K-5 plan for their good life. Our virtual and in-person sessions are available to anyone and are free to attend. We hope these sessions will help you start intentionally planning for adult life and help students work on their skills needed to pursue their passions and interests.
If you have any questions or need help registering for any sessions, please email LTC@ocali.org. We look forward to seeing you!
Coordination and Collaboration by:
Parents, families, and caregivers of children with disabilities often struggle to find support in navigating systems, connecting with other families, and learning about resources available in their community.
Learn how some of Ohio’s family support organizations can assist families through educational opportunities and fostering connections.
- Join Ohio Family2Family and the Ohio Department of Health's Parent Consultant on Tuesday, April 9th at 4 p.m. to learn more about their statewide outreach. Register here and download our flyer to share.
- Join Milestones Autism Resources and the Autism Society of Greater Akron on Thursday, April 11th at 4 p.m. to learn about autism-specific caregiver support in northeast Ohio. Register here and download our flyer to share.
Build Connections and Inclusion in Your Community
Telling New Social Stories About Our Families and Communities with Carol Combs and Tim Vogt from Starfire
Thursday, April 25th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Join Ohio families who are working on building personal social networks for themselves through creative community action. You’ll hear examples and lessons, practice tools and strategies, and gain new perspectives on how to catalyze connections for you and your family. This is a family and caregiver-focused session. Register now! #StarfireStories
Tools to Start Your Conversations
In elementary school, we want to build independent skills to help students make decisions, set goals, and advocate for their needs. In these two virtual sessions, you will learn to use tools to identify a student’s interests, passions, and goals – and ready to implement these strategies at-home or in the classroom.
I’m Determined Resources: Transition Begins Now!
Tuesday, April 23rd from 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.
Building self-determination skills early on, including creating successful opportunities for transition in elementary school, continue to have lasting impact throughout a lifetime. Learn how to teach children the skills they need to achieve a goal, make choices, and identify the people who can help them learn and grow. Walk away feeling empowered and ready to support self-determination both at home and in K-5 classrooms. Getting started now is possible. Register today!
Developing the Learner Profile and Student Portfolios for Early Transition Planning
Thursday, May 9th from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Learn about Learner Profiles and how they can help document student specific access supports, early learning data, and P-k and elementary interests and skills that can lead to later transition planning. Pair this with student portfolios that showcase student learning and lend themselves to students participating in student-led conferences and IEP meetings. Register today!
Charting the LifeCourse Workshops
It's never too early to start discussing what the future looks like for your student! Join us for a practical, hands-on session focused on empowering elementary students and their families to envision and work towards their future goals. Learn how to initiate important discussions, prepare for IEP meetings, and develop effective support strategies for a successful transition into adolescence and adulthood. We hope you walk away with valuable tools and insights to help every child dream big and achieve success.
Children are welcomed and encouraged to attend to get their own experience with these tools and strategies. Register here!
- Tuesday, April 30th from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Stark Library-North Branch (189 25th St NW - Canton, OH 44709)
Partnering for Progress: Supporting Youth Skill Development
Thursday, May 16th from 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Join us for an engaging session where teachers and parents will learn practical strategies to support elementary students' skill development. We'll explore how to use the new OLAF tool together to assess skills and prioritize areas for growth. Participants will discover effective ways to incorporate skill development goals into educational plans, such as the IEP, ensuring that learning experiences are tailored to each student's unique needs. By the end of the session, both teachers and parents will feel empowered to collaborate effectively and provide targeted support to help students thrive academically and personally. Register today!