1. MG&A Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102 Gautier MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 SSA Youth Transition Initiative: The MYTI Project: Mississippi Model Youth Transition Innovation A project funded by the Social Security Administration through Mississippi’s Dept. of Rehabilitation Services for Gulfport, MS Schools and Harrison County, MS, Schools

2. MG&A Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102 Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 Overarching goal of the initiative To reduce dependency on Supplemental Security Income payments and to accrue savings to the Social Security Trust fund through a strategy of benefits counseling, innovative employment services, student/family accounts and quality transition services for students with disabilities.

3. MG&A Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102 Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 Basic approach This project will target students with disabilities throughout the transition years with a focus toward benefits counseling for parents, customized employment experiences and jobs, curricular connection with employment needs, and student focused discovery process.

4. MG&A Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102 Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 SSA, Students and Economic Security Provide accurate and believable benefits information early in school career Focus on saving SSA/Govt. resources rather that getting student off benefits Encourage a culture of presumption of employment rather than presumption of “total and permanent disability” Train local SSA staff to send message of stability of benefits: Building trust

5. MG&A Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102 Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 SSA, Students and Economic Security Embrace customized employment outcomes rather than arbitrary outcomes Work with schools to bring employment focus to curricular offerings Assist schools in balancing often-contradictory challenges: employment, inclusion, aptitude testing and performance measures Encourage self-determination and individual budget approaches

6. MG&A Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102 Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 SSA, Students and Economic Security Offer waivers to allow flexibility in re- determination of eligibility and other barriers Work within the WIA One Stop system to bring generic services, schools, vocational rehabilitation and SSA together