1. Collectively we are making a difference in the lives of youth, young adults and families across the state! 1

2. Our Beginnings Our Stakeholders Our Purpose and Work Our Year Round Strategy 2

3. Question? What are challenges or barriers to effective collaboration for improved transition outcomes? Let’s explore what we know about interagency collaboration in secondary transition…

4. Conceptual Framework to Explore Interagency Collaboration 4 Kester, 2013

5. Ecological or Environmental Factors ADAPTATION & CHANGE: This was interwoven into the ongoing work of the council. A variety of terms were used to describe the group including flexible; learning constantly, where nothing stays the same; trying new things; self-assessment to improve; constant renewal; evolving processes; all types of things to consider—exploration of options; make things easier; and learn to adapt—helps values and shared culture. Complexity of transition system of agencies Agency cultural differences Change processes 5

6. Participation & Engagement Interpersonal relationships Agency relationships Agency commitment Interagency leadership A key aspect of the success of the Council is their shared identity…working as one unit, common purpose, common goals, artifacts (logos), shared history, and shared language. Very strong relationships with a high level of trust! Formal and informal leadership was distributed throughout the council and was found in the actions of members. Through codified procedures, the bylaws defined rotating and shared formal leadership roles. 6

7. Vision & Action Interagency vision and goals Interagency planning In all conversations, the youth are always the primary focus, rather than the systems! The Council has clearly defined goals associated with their Committee structure as a mechanism to carry out their goals. Often times goals are associated with long-term projects or new projects designed to meet the needs of youth. 7 Shared purpose

8. Resource Allocation When a need is identified, grants and funding are pursued collectively. This has been a challenge because of the risk felt by some members…where will the funds come for our project?! Also, as the Council is not a non- profit entity, they have been required to build partnerships with fiduciary agencies to manage funds. 8

9. Processes & Structures Interagency processes and structures Interagency agreements Bylaws define how the Council operates Results in shared and rotating leadership Committee structure – this is where the work is accomplished Work focused on “transition practices” – activities and projects to support transitioning youth collectively – working smarter! 9 Structures Processes

10. Knowledge & Learning Interagency information sharing & data management Information sharing & communication Learning 10 InformationDataKnowledgeLearning

11. A Context to Facilitate Successful Interagency Collaboration: Community of Practice: Way of Doing Work What we care about: transitioni ng youth Community: Relationships & Shared Leadership Practice: Knowledge, Tools, Programs, Documents 11

12. How We Came to Be 12  The 1999 IDEA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) set the stage for major efforts at the state level to develop a unified plan for transition in Pennsylvania  The PA Community on Transition, supported by the Transition State Leadership Team (SLT), is a result of this effort

13. Our Shared Vision & Common Goals All PA youth and young adults with disabilities will: 13 successfully transition to the role of productive, participating adult citizens be empowered to recognize their talents, strengths and voice have equal access to resources that will promote full participation in the communities of their choice.

14. Our Stakeholders Transition State Leadership Team comprises 14 Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, Public Welfare Twelve Agencies Young Adults - PA Youth Leadership Network Parent Organizations Advocates Higher Education Employers Local Transition Coordinating Councils

15. Toolkit Activity 15 Fishbone – who can you invite into your work? Always asking yourself - who is missing from the table? Living Roster – ongoing communication and connections

16. Year-Round Strategy The PA Community on Transition has been strengthened by using a year-round strategy to connect our work:  Annual Statewide Transition Conference  Cross-Systems Regional Capacity Building Training Sessions and annual webinar series  Local Transition Coordinating Council Events The State Leadership Team serves in a coordinating capacity 16

17. Power of Working in a Community Framework  Working together to improve outcomes for youth  Transition stakeholders share common issues  Creating a learning environment where we develop projects, products and activities together and share our tools  Transition Health Care Checklist  www.secondarytransition.org www.secondarytransition.org  Braided funding & staff support for related grants, projects and activities  Systematic Career Development Strategies 17

18. Our Successful Collaboration Is No Accident! As a Community of Practice, we have worked together to develop these seven essential factors for successful interagency collaborations: 18 CommitmentCommunication Strong Leadership from Key Decision Makers Understanding the Culture of Collaborating Agencies Providing Adequate Resources for Collaboration Minimizing Turf Issues Engaging in Serious Preplanning Stakeholders' views of factors that impact successful interagency collaboration Exceptional Children ; Reston; Winter 2003; Lawrence J Johnson; Debbie Zorn; Brian Kai Yung Tam; Maggie LaMontagne; Susan A Johnson

19. Intentional Collaboration Built into Projects While each member organization of the Transition State Leadership Team may have initiated funded transition projects, there is intentional collaboration build into these projects… 19

20. Toolkit Activity  Invitation to the Collaborative Kick-off  Collaborative: Kick-Off Agenda  Collaborative : Planning Framework 20

21. 21 OVR Goals for Transition: Transition youth and young adults with disabilities “into a job”, not just “out of school” Increase & improve employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities. Objectives: Outreach to youth and their families as early as age 14. Increase dialogue & collaboration with transition stakeholders. Improve coordination of efforts among transition partners (e.g., state/ local education agencies, public welfare, county MH/ID, CareerLinks, etc.) PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

22. Future Plans Ongoing Commitment to what works: -Project SEARCH -Project PAS -BBVS Summer Academy Development of Transition Media & Materials Implementation of Berks Career & Technology Center Interagency Agreement Development of Greene County ID Transition Project Implementation of Discovery & Customized Employment Pilot 22 PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

23. 23 Recent Accomplishments New OVR Transition Policy- Approved and Implemented Social media plan implemented- OVR on Facebook & LinkedIn “Early Reach” Initiative- Phase II Implemented ACES Grant Awarded to DREAM Partnership PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

24. OVR - Jobs for All OJT An On-The-Job training reimbursement program for youth under the age of 25 Direct financial incentive for business and industry to promote the hiring youth and young adults with disabilities Began July 1, 2014 24

25. Leadership in Schools PA Youth Leadership Network PA Coalition of Youth Leadership 25 Youth Engagement & Leadership Initiatives

26. 26 Bureau of Special Education Projects  PA Competitive Employment Grants  Discovery Grant  RENEW* Pilot (Rehabilitation for Empowerment, Natural Supports, Education and Work)  Cyclical and Focused Monitoring focused on Secondary Transition

27.  PA Community of Practice on Secondary Transition  RENEW State Advisory Team*  PA Community of Practice of School Based Behavioral Health  Annual PA Transition Conference Conference  Annual Summer Academy for Students Who Are Blind of Visually Impaired  Planning for the Future Checklist – 21 and Able Partnership  Federally Funded Parent Training Centers 27 Bureau of Special Education Partnerships

28. 28 PA Community on Transition Local State

29. 29 Local Transition Coordinating Councils

31. We do good work!  Employability Expo  Transition Expo  Transition House  Transition Academy Day  Website  SWEAP  Transition packet  Cross-systems assessment  New Tracking survey

32. We are all expected to join and work in at least one committee.

33.  Plan and implement the biannual Employability Expo for students (coming up in Spring 2014)  Foster positive partnerships with local businesses for volunteer and job-shadow experiences Business and Industry Committee Co-Chairs: Kathy Bell, Kim Baskett Next meeting: Co-Chairs: Kathy Bell, Kim Baskett Next meeting:

34.  Develop products and practices that promote collaborative transition planning among schools and agencies  Maintain the Cross-Systems Assessment  Create IEP meeting checklist  Update transition exit packet annually Interagency Collaboration Co-Chairs: Connie Colosimo, Lynn Zale Next meeting: Co-Chairs: Connie Colosimo, Lynn Zale Next meeting:

35.  Plan and implement the Summer Work Experience and Assessment Program (SWEAP) and other collaborative efforts to prepare students for competitive employment. School to Career Co-Chairs: Joyce Burkholder, Tom Rapchinski- Alli Smale will be the new chair as of January 2014. Next meeting: Co-Chairs: Joyce Burkholder, Tom Rapchinski- Alli Smale will be the new chair as of January 2014. Next meeting:

36.  Coordinate and implement annual Transition Academy Day  Enhance transition activities at the high school level, which in turn will lead to more success at the post- secondary level  Coordinate and assist schools to implement the Transition to College “Road Show” Post-Secondary Education Co-Chairs: Kym Kleinsmith Next meeting: Co-Chairs: Kym Kleinsmith Next meeting:

37. Transition Expo  Plan and execute the biannual Expo for students and families. Next Expo in Spring, 2015 Co-Chairs: Colleen Rios Tamzen Davis Jeff Lehr Next meeting: Co-Chairs: Colleen Rios Tamzen Davis Jeff Lehr Next meeting:

38. Administrative Committees Executive Committee – shared & rotating leadership Fiscal – partnership with a non-profit Membership & Public Relations - continual outreach Bylaws – provides processes & structures to keep the Council alive Tracking System – ongoing collection of outcome data to establish needs for projects Ad Hoc Committees

39. If our mission is our keystone, the committees are the stones supporting that keystone

40. And just like support stones of a bridge…. The committees of the BCTCC support the keystone mission: to plan and facilitate the successful movement of students with disabilities from school to adult life.

41. 41 Student Staffings Transition Specific Planning Meetings Cross systems planning Authentic interagency engagement Local Levels of Collaboration

42. Toolkit Activity  Appreciative Inquiry – no “pre-set” agenda, collaboratively vision and defining your work together. Getting buy-in form multiple stakeholders.  Shared leadership  Maintaining ongoing communication  Meeting with purpose and outcomes 42

43. Contact Information Dana Baccanti dbaccanti@pa.gov 717-772-1656 Joan Kester jkester@gwu.edu 717-368-6548 Michael Stoehr mstoehr@pattan.net 412-826-6864