In May, our Pennsylvania state team had an amazing time at NTACT:C's Capacity Building Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina! We had 4 youth representatives who led the conversations around youth leadership and empowerment and gave input into our state level secondary transition goals! They are looking forward to supporting youth engagement on a national level with Youth Empowerment Transition Initiative (YETI).

Listen to the experiences of other youth! Peer support can help you learn from each other and gain knowledge from others who have been through similar experiences. Check out the pilot episode below! For more from this podcast series from the RAISE Center's Youth Advocates for Change (YAFC) click here: YAFC Podcast Series | RAISE Center A SPAN Project

Each of us has a story to tell. This is an opportunity for you to share yours. Showcase your own Personal Story at the 2023 PA Autism Training Conference (PATC)!

PATC is looking for both written and video stories from individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to showcase at the statewide conference, held virtually November 7-9, 2023.

• Written Essay: 250 to 1,500 words. You also have the option to turn your essay into an Animated Video. If interested in an animated video, please note this when submitting your essay.
• Video Story: 1 to 5-minute recording.
• Video Interview: If you would like to be interviewed on camera by a member of the PATC team, email info@paautism.org.

It’s important to feature the experiences and voices of autistic individuals! Tell us your story, in your own words, about your journey with ASD. Stories will be displayed virtually during the conference and beyond. Applicants must be at least 14 years of age and will receive a $100 honorarium if their story is accepted. Only a limited number of stories will be accepted, so apply soon! Submission Deadline: July 31, 2023

To learn more, including submission instructions and suggested topics, click here or see the attached flyer.

The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) will once again be offering The Nuts and Bolts of Job Coaching, an a self-paced online course. This self-paced five module online course provides participants with relevant information regarding the role of a Job Coach to support students in community based work settings.

At the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the responsibilities and competencies needed to support transition-aged students build work-related skills in community-based settings

• Identify relevant Labor Laws and implications when supporting students in employment settings

• Apply and implement strategies to provide community-based employment education to students with disabilities

• Reflect on personal skills and practice to identify strengths and areas for growth

Course Options

Summer 2023: July 5 – August 16, 2023

Fall 2023: October 10 – December 5, 2023

Spring 2024: March 12 – April 23, 2024

Access registration for the Summer Session!

2023 PA Community of Practice Transition Conference

Our Voice, Our Plan, Our Future

August 9 & 10, 2023

Virtual and In-Person Registration Available

Access the Conference Brochure Here!

Youth & Family Scholarships Available

A limited number of scholarships are available for conference attendees who meet the following criteria:

• Transition-aged youth between the ages of 14-22 with a current IEP, a 504 Plan or self-disclose that they have a disability accompanied by an adult (family member/caregiver)

• Family member or caregiver of a transition-aged youth between the ages of 14-22, with a current IEP, a 504 Plan or selfdisclose that they have a disability without the youth attending.

• Member of Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN)

• Youth Ambassador

For applicants to receive a scholarship from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), they must have an OVR-244 (Pre-ETS Consent) on file or have an open case with OVR. If there isn’t an OVR-244 on file prior to applying for the scholarship, a referral to OVR is required to receive a scholarship.

Families are encouraged to apply by completing the scholarship application on or before June 30, 2023.

The scholarship will cover the following:
• Registration Fee – for either in-person or virtual registration
• Lodging - Cost of a double occupancy hotel room for those that live beyond 50 miles of the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center
• Meals - Continental breakfast and lunch on August 9th and August 10th will be available. All other meals will be the responsibility of the applicant.
• Please Note - Scholarships do not include travel expenses or transportation.
• Childcare is NOT provided.

Join Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium's 8th Annual Symposium for a day where thought-provoking speakers and discussion sessions will explore inclusive postsecondary education transitions for students, families, and systems. The event will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on August 8th (the day before the PA Community of Practice Transition Conference). The keynote address "The Many Faces of Ableism: From Fear and Hostility to Pity, Envy and Inspiration" will be delivered by Dr. Michelle Nairo-Redmond who will be joined by Matthew Schwab, Jennifer King, and Dr. Nakeiha Primus Smith for a day of thought-provoking lectures and discussions.

Event Details:
Registration opens at 9:30 AM.
The Event will start at 10:00 AM and conclude at 4:45 PM.

Lunch and light refreshments will be served.

Are you looking to learn more information about transition?

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides information, tools, and supports to assist multiple stakeholders to provide effective services and instruction for students and out-of-school youth with disabilities.

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!