Navigating New Waters Planning for Transition to Inclusive Post-secondary Education for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Presentation by Susanna Miller February 19, 2014

What is an Inclusive PSE Program?

Why Inclusive PSE?

Happening in Georgia Georgia Inclusive Post-secondary Education Consortium – Capacity Building – Advocating to Legislature – Distributing funding for program start-ups and exploration

Happening in Georgia KSU Academy for Inclusive Learning University of Georgia(Fanning Institute) Columbus State University East Georgia College A couple other colleges & universities are working on feasibility

Program vs. Individual Established Inclusive PSE Program Customized Individual Track

A Few Facts… Georgia students receiving special education services leaving high school each year without receiving a High School Diploma 220 inclusive Post-secondary Education (PSE) options throughout the United States 1 inclusive PSE program in Georgia at Kennesaw State University’s Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth 3 colleges & universities received Implementation Grants to start program 16 spaces at KSU Academy 100+ colleges & universities in Georgia

2 programs in Alabama, 9 in Florida, 5 in South Carolina, 2 in Tennessee, and 8 in North Carolina 10 of the over 70 students in South Carolina PSE programs are Georgia students Students who participated in inclusive PSE were 26% more likely to leave vocational rehabilitation services with a paid job* Students who participated in inclusive PSE made 73% higher weekly incomes* * “Postsecondary Education and Employment Outcomes for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities” By Alberto Migliore, John Butterworth, and Debra Hart

Help Build PSE in Georgia You can help BUILD inclusive PSE in Georgia and this is how! Learn about inclusive PSE through the GAIPSEC and ThinkCollege! Join our mailing list ( to have your name added) Share information with parents, students and educators Contact your legislator and ask them to support the call for funding Make contact with anyone you have a connection with a college or university and share with them about inclusive PSE opportunities.

Setting up for Success Student’s choice Buy-in from families Clear communication – Everyone on same page – Honesty around behaviors when completing transition plan

Setting up for Success Clearly define expectations of college life Understand age-appropriate behaviors – Boundaries – Time-management Knowing when student is just not college ready – Other options

Strategies for Preparing Make sure your child is a regular attendee at an over-night, sleep-away camp. Have your child become comfortable with electronic communication, including and attachments Empower your child to manage a schedule using a cell phone (calendar, timers, reminders, etc)

Strategies for Preparing Strategize a system for independent medication management Help your child practice talking about disability characteristics, best learning styles, and needs.

Transition Goals Education Development of Employment Community Adult Living/Post School Options Related Services Daily Living

Transition Plans Address the needs of moving from high school to post-secondary education Focus highly on Community & Adult Living Skills section of transition plans

Community Skills Goal Example: – Joins _____ clubs/organizations per (week/month/semester) Activities: – Reviews list of club/organization possibilities – Selects __ club/organization(s) of interest base on sport or hobby preference or career choice – Contact organizer – Attend at least two meetings

Adult Living Skills Goal Example: – Advocates for assistance appropriately by completing ___ activity(ies) Activities – Makes and keeps ___ appointment(s) with counselor to review course schedule – Makes and keeps ___ appointment(s) with teacher(s) to review academic accommodations/assess effectiveness per (week/month/semester) – Make and keeps ___ appointment(s) with employer to discuss job accommodations.

Adult Living Skills Goal Example: – Demonstrates understanding of daily schedule, class routines, and discourse by completing ___ activity(ies) Activities: – Follows schedule and arrives promptly to class ____% of the time – Follows ___ step class routine – Follows ___ rules of classroom discourse – Makes entry on electronic calendar/software to manage schedule and assignments ___ times per (week/month/semester)

CHOICE College is not for everyone College doesn’t have to happen immediately after secondary completion

Resources Think College National Center on Secondary Education and Transition Center for Leadership in Disability Kennesaw State University Academy for Inclusive Learning

Contact Information Sheryl Arno Susanna Miller GAIPSEC Website: