Transition Information
High Incidence Disabilities
24 January 2022
Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Community of Practice Releases Benefits Counseling Toolkit
Navigating the world of work as an individual with a disability can be overwhelming, particularly if you are receiving benefits. This resource aims to help youth and families and their teams better understand different types of benefits available and where to get support!
The toolkit helps users explore different types of available benefits, what is benefits counseling, steps to take to get benefits counseling, important information to know about benefits counseling, information about retaining benefits while working and links to resources to further explore benefits counseling,
Webinar: PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL), is offering a webinar on the topic of the PA Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program. A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualifying disabilities (eligible individuals) and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts. The Presentation will be given by a Representative of the PA Treasury Department.
OLTL Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, CHC-MCO staff and any individuals that work on employment are strongly encouraged to participate in this webinar that will help you understand the PA ABLE Program and how it can benefit the OLTL participants you serve.
The webinar on PA ABLE is scheduled as follows: January 28, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Please register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4688310303994863883
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have questions regarding this email, please contact Edward M. Butler, OLTL, at 717-214-3718 or edbutler@pa.gov.
Mental Health and Employment Fact Sheet
Mental health problems affect approximately one in four people. This time of year may include additional stressors for some individuals. The Federation for Children with Special Needs has released this fact sheet to support creating a culture of wellness and avoiding common pitfalls.
Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research: Considering College Tip Sheet
The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research (Transitions ACR) created this tip sheet to support young adults with serious mental health conditions as they consider college opportunities.
The goals of Transitions ACR include:
- Improve outcomes by effectively disseminating knowledge to key stakeholders. Many of our tip sheets were developed & reviewed with input from young adults with serious mental health conditions.
- Support youth & young adults as students, learners, and workers. Youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions face obstacles in learning & working.
Additional resources can be accessed on the Transitions ACR webpage.
The ARC
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
The Arc’s Center for Future Planning has developed a series of new videos on the following topics:
- An Overview of ABLE Accounts
- An Overview of Special Needs Trusts
- Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts: How Are They Different?
- Pooled Special Needs Trusts
- How Death Affects the Money Left in ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts
The Arc recently shared a new Virtual Program Library, a free hub full of on-demand activities that can be done from home by people with disabilities, their families, and service providers.
Topics include arts, community and life skills, health and wellness, virtual clubs, and more. Visit the hub to check out the resources added so far and share it with your networks so it can continue to grow into a robust resource for people with disabilities and their supporters!
If you have a resource you would like to share, please contact The Arc!
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
The state currently recommends that all students apply to OVR by the spring of their junior year or two years before graduating, if staying beyond the senior year. To apply, visit the PA Career Link website, create a log in, and look for the OVR button. The PA Career Link site can also be used to research a variety of occupations.
Our next session with our Early Reach Coordinator Ms. Webster will be held on February 14, 2022, via Zoom. The session will focus on Problem Solving and Time Management. If you would like for your student to participate, and have not yet done so, please, fill out the Parent Input Form
Believers Basketball
Believers Basketball
The BELIEVERS are so excited to offer in-person basketball practices beginning January 19, 2022. They will meet every Wednesday night, 6:00-8:00pm at Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center, Gymnasium.
Believers is a local program/group supporting individuals of all ages with disabilities in Chester County at zero cost to families.
Believers strives to promote inclusiveness and independence, while celebrating the accomplishments of our athletes as individuals within a team environment.
PEAL Center Youth Events
The PEAL Center is hosting Youth Virtual Coffee Drop In's every Thursday at 12:00 pm on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/95790302310
For questions or to request accommodations contact info@pealcenter.org
Free Virtual Parent/Caregiver Support Group
Is your child struggling with behavioral, social, emotional or mental health challenges and you don’t know where to start or how to get through it? Join us, the staff of Chesco LIFE, who are parents with lived experiences with our own children to engage in conversations on what to do when you don’t know what to do.
When: First Wednesday of every month from 12pm to 1pm (next session is Wed. December 1st, 2021)
Why Join the Support Group?
• Opportunity to meet other parents with similar struggles.
• Gain knowledge on the needs relevant to your situation.
• Facilitate connections with group members, and provide support and helpful resources.
• Encourage families to find a voice and advocate skills.
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcu6vqDwoGdaofp83gPrs4YXQLU8kM952
Chesco LIFE
760 Constitution Drive
Exton, PA 19341
Phone: 484-348-6392
Fax: 610-458-1013
Family Leadership Institute
PEAL Virtual Family Leadership Institute
You're invited to apply to participate in a Family Leadership Institute (FLI), a multi-session, in-depth training for families to build knowledge and leadership skills related to inclusive special education and health care, offered at no cost to families by the PEAL Center and our partners! For more information and to register:
Live sessions will be held on Zoom every Tuesday evening, from 5:00-6:30 pm, for 7 weeks between January 11th and February 22nd, 2022. Participants MUST COMMIT to attending all live sessions, in addition to completing "Learning On Your Own" (LOYO) assignments in between.
Participation is by application only, which must be completed and submitted by December 3rd, 2021. Complete the online application at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/PEALVirtFLI2022. Space is limited, please apply early! If you have been selected for this FLI, we will let you know by December 10th.
High Incidence Transition Coordinator
Michelle Rusanovschi
I currently hold teaching certifications in the areas of Special Education, Secondary English, Reading Specialist, Middle School Mathematics, Middle School English, Elementary, and Early Childhood Education. In addition, I hold an administrative certificate as a Supervisor of Special Education.
I earned my Bachelor's of Science in Education from Temple University and my Master's of Education in the area of Reading from West Chester University. I have also earned certifications through Penn State.
At the high school, I predominantly teach reading courses, such as Read 180, Wilson, and SRA Corrective Reading. I also serve as one of the special education Transition Counselors.
Teaching is who I am. I could not see myself doing anything else. Each day I do my best to work with students and parents to help the student be successful. I believe that communication between the student, teachers, and parents is essential to a student's success.
Email: rusanovschim@pasd.com
Website: https://www.pasd.com/academics/special_education/transition_to_postsecondary
Location: 120 Gay Street, Phoenixville, PA, USA
Phone: 484-927-5075