youth advocacy council

Do you have a disability and are between 15-25? Be a leader and a changemaker with the Youth Advocacy Council! Apply by October 31
Picture of a black tree top and bottom with the words Interagency Core Transition Teams Connect -- Collaborate -- Celebrate in the middle

Core Transition Teams increase capacity at the local level to develop, provide, and manage an effective transition process for students with disabilities who are age 14 or older.  Teams work with school staff to identify students who may need “transition services” that involve inter-agency partners such as HireAbility, Developmental Services and others. 

Teams identify available resources and supports to assist students in achieving their goals as they transition to life after high school.  Recognizing that communities will have their own individual approach, it is important that all high school special education staff, Agency of Human Services (AHS) staff, and community partners have access to the support of a Local Core Transition Team. 

HireAbility Transition Counselors or other agreed upon community partners will convene the Team as the facilitator. Core Transition Teams should include key members from the school, adult agencies and the community who are involved/concerned with the transition of students from school to adult life. 

Depending on the needs of the school and community, teams typically meet either monthly or quarterly throughout the school year.  When discussing individual student issues, the focus is student centered and the planning should revolve around that student’s individualized desired outcomes.  Teams often work best when the roles of facilitator, timekeeper, minute taker, and observer are shared, and the success of the team is a shared effort among providers.

About the Youth Advocacy Council HireAbility

This group is comprised of youth and young adults with disabilities, who express interest in participating in both leadership training and opportunities to impact how Vermont prepares students with disabilities for life after high school. The council has a supportive steering committee facilitated by HireAbility VT and its youth advocacy partners.

The Annual Youth Summit

Through support from the Youth Advocacy Steering Committee, the Youth Advocacy Council plans an annual Youth Summit. This event brings together youth and young adults from across the state to discuss issues most relevant to them and learn about how they can empower themselves in all aspects of their educational, social, and career experiences. Driven by youth for youth.

2024 INTERAGENCY CORE TEAM EVENT


EVENT AGENDA

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS AND RESOURCES 

2024 WINTER SUMMIT

Presentation Slides

Resources

Developmental Services Transition Guidance for Teams

Project Search Brochure  and Video

College Steps

Think College

SUCCEED Program

AOE Graduation Readiness Tool

Vermont Family Network Transition Toolkit

 2023 COLLABORATION EVENT

Keynote Presentation by Val Mazotti “Interagency Collaboration & Self-Assessment”

Valarie Mazzotti believes interagency collaboration is critical to ensure that youth and young adults achieve positive in-school and postschool outcomes. This keynote presentation will focus on innovation in interagency collaboration and how interagency collaboration is a critical component in the transition planning process, including stakeholder roles and responsibilities. Discussion will revolve around the predictors of postschool success that support interagency collaboration and the importance of assessing collaborative partnerships.

Keynote Bio

Keynote Materials:

Predictor Implementation School /District Self-Assessment Instructions and Action Planning Guide

Predictor Implementation School/District Self-Assessment

Collaboration Framework

Workshop Materials: 

Universal Design for Learning PPT

Using Career Assessments PPT

Postsecondary Education Consortium PPT Presentation   (PSE Matrix)

SUMMER 2023 SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SUMMIT

Keynote Jacqui Kelleher Video

Keynote Presentation

JOBS PPT

2022 COLLABORATION EVENT

Agenda 

Keynote Bio 

DJ Ralston Keynote Presentation

Workshop Materials:

DEIA Considerations for Work Experiences/Apprenticeship (PPT)

The Intersection of Disability and Poverty: Implications for Participation in Social Service Programs

Supported Decision Making and Transition Planning

Issues of Identity and Disability Pride: The Importance of Self-Advocacy

2021 COLLABORATION EVENT

Agenda 

Keynote:  Jacqui Kelleher, State Director of Special Education, Student Support Services Division, Agency of Education

Recording of Core Team Event

Workshop Materials:

Wellness

PPT Wellness Moment

Motivational Interviewing—Engagement/Evocation with Youth

PPT Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing Handout

Recording

Transition Assessment Planning

PPT Assessment Planning

Assessment Planning When

Assessment Planning What

Assessment Planning Youth

Assessment Planning Tool

VR Progress Rubric

Recording

COVID’s impact on the Labor Market

Covid’s Impact on the Labor Market

Recording

Youth Voice! Hear the Inspiring Stories from Young Adults with Disabilities who Turned Their Dreams into Reality

PPT Youth Voice

Recording Youth Voice

Everybody’s Ready for Something: ‘Earn & Learn’ Opportunities for Vermont

PPT Everybody’s Ready for Something

Recording

Job Development 101

PPT Job Development

Job Development

Job Development Guidance

Job Timeline

Recording

Adapting and Applying the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competency (MSJCC) Framework for Transition Professionals

PPT Adapting and Applying

Adapting and Applying the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competency (MSJCC) Handout

Recording