Transition: Disability Mentoring Day Bradford Sullivan Lycoming & Tioga

Presenters  Brenda Roberts, BLaST IU  Chris Herman, Loyalsock Township School District  Jessica Bower, PA Dept. of Health  Marcella Pritz, East Lycoming School District  Jean Cohick, Williamsport Area School District

History  PA Disability Mentoring Day  Lycoming Co. EmployAbility Day  Bradford Co. Work With Me Day  Tioga Co. Ability Awareness Day

Planning  Start planning about 6-8 months ahead  Gain support of participating school districts  Other helpful supports: OVR, MH/MR, IU, CareerLink, CIL, DOH  Planning team includes: school district staff, IU staff, MH/MR staff, OVR staff, DOH staff, CareerLink staff, anyone who has an interest in assisting

Planning timeline 4 months ahead -Hold planning meeting -finalize student application packet -distribute student applications to schools -choose guest speaker for luncheon 2 months ahead -student applications returned -hold planning meeting -begin student placements 1 month ahead -Hold planning meeting -finalize student placements -send confirmation letter to mentors & invite them to luncheon -confirm location and menu for luncheon -confirm guest speaker -contact media 6-8 months ahead -Hold planning meeting -Review district/student expectations -review application packets for revisions -choose location, price & menu for luncheon -choose # students participating from each school 2 weeks ahead -Hold planning meeting -confirm student placements -finalize count for luncheon -finalize student transportation -Assign photographer(s) for day of event Day of event -take photos/video of students at mentoring sites -luncheon -distribute student certificat -collect student evaluations 2 weeks after -Mail mentor certificates and evaluations

Expectations  District responsibilities Participation in planning meetings Assist in student placement Transportation Cost of lunch for students/staff Student preparation  Student responsibility Appropriate dress for site Appropriate behavior Transportation?

Selection Process  Students were chosen by Transition Coordinator/school counselor/teacher  Students were in learning support classes  Due to space constraints-districts were limited to 5 student participants  Students filled out application-with parental permission  Applications returned to transition council- planning team

Application  Personal information  Intended post-school outcomes Post-secondary education/training Employment Community living  Employment experience  Career interests Clusters (administration, animal care, automotive, child care, clerical, education, floral design, food services, maintenance/HVAC, retail sales, etc…  Consent form  Photo release

Placements  Students return application with top three career interests indicated  Committee meets to discuss placement with appropriate mentors  Committee members secure placements with mentors

Mentoring responsibilities  Agree to participate  Receive letter  Engage student in learning process  Demonstrate skills needed for employment  Provide first-hand job experiences  Attend luncheon-if possible

Participating Businesses  Restaurants  Preschools  Animal hospitals  Construction/carpentry  Computer Technology  School districts Maintenance Teaching Technical Department  Car dealerships Auto repair Sales  SPCA  DEP  DOH  US Postal Service  Health System  Hair/Nail Salons  Fire/Police Department  Accounting/Law Firms  Floral Shops  Churches (Pastors)

Feedback  Students Meeting people that I want to work with in a few years I liked meeting with people in the job field I want to be in We got to see what the job was like everyday Make it longer Make it more than one day  Mentors I enjoyed working with the student That student had a disability? Not enough time Student was very interested in learning what I was doing

Transportation  School Districts  Parents & Students For student drivers a copy of driver’s license was submitted with application  Committee members

Publicity  Local newspapers Press release Onsite reporter  TV Plan for this year  Video Clips May use at school board meetings Use to entice future student participation

Day of Event  Students report to school  Transport to mentoring site  Mentoring site-about 3 hours  Transport to luncheon site  Transport back to school/mentoring site/home

Luncheon  Welcome Program complete evaluation forms  Luncheon-pizza, boxed lunches, catered  Guest speaker Motivational-Talk about how to get & keep a job  Student Speakers Talk (1-2 minutes) about highlights of their day  Presentation of student participation certificates  Paid by schools ($5.00/person)  Speaker-token of appreciation  Student give-aways

Wrap-up  Students fill out evaluation forms  Certificates of appreciation, evaluation forms and thank you cards are mailed to mentors  Debriefing meetings Set dates for next year