Transition Information
High Incidence Disabilities
30 November 2021
High School versus Postsecondary Education - Differences in Supports
Tips 4 Teens with IEPs - HS versus College
PA Family Network Events
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SEGURIDAD EN LA COMUNIDAD: Diciembre 6, 2021 10:00 am—12:00 pm
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Advanced Waiver Workshop Part 2: December 6, 2021, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
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Waiver Basics for Siblings Part 1: December 8, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 PM
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Waiver Basics for Siblings Part 2: December 9, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 PM
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Family Forum Update: December 15, 2021, from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
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.
Health Care Transition - HCT 101
This is a great video to share with your student!
Also, be sure to check out the full Got Transition site, which is the federally funded national resource center on health care transition (HCT). Its aim is to improve transition from pediatric to adult health care through the use of evidence-driven strategies for health care professionals, youth, young adults, and their families.
Wolf Administration Announces Free Substance Use Education, Prevention Tool for Commonwealth Workforce
Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration's Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) announced the availability of a free online tool for Pennsylvania’s workforce to enhance education and awareness about substance use disorder (SUD). The tool – called Just Five – is a self-paced program that aims to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and provide education about SUD prevention and treatment.
The six short learning modules each take "just five" minutes to complete and can be accessed virtually from anywhere at any time with no registration required. The interactive lessons touch on topics including:
- The Science of Addiction
- Are You at Risk?
- The Dangers of Opioids
- Signs, Symptoms and Treatment
- How You Can Help
- The Gift of Recovery
The website is a partnership with national non-profit Shatterproof and contains a pre and posttest to measure a participant’s knowledge on SUD when entering the site and effectiveness of the lessons. Use of the Just Five website is completely confidential and voluntary, and no personal information regarding utilization of the program is shared. The program is also available in English and Spanish and is accessible for individuals with visual and/or hearing impairments.
A version of Just Five was rolled out to Pennsylvania commonwealth employees during National Prevention week in May 2021. Since the rollout, more than 2,700 individuals have accessed the tool and a number of participants have expressed gratitude that the science-based, informational lessons will assist them in future conversations with family, friends, and coworkers.
For prevention resources for schools, families, and communities visit ddap.pa.gov/prevention.
Independent Living Resources - For Families
The links shared below have information about independent living resources in our area.
https://www.kencrest.org/adults/lifesharing/
https://www.pa-mentor.com/who-we-serve/adults-with-disabilities/lifesharing-program/
https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Disabilities-Aging/Pages/Lifesharing.aspx
https://www.lifepath.org/programs-services/residential-programs/224-lifesharing
https://www.jevshumanservices.org/program/lifesharing/
https://www.accessservices.org/services/lifesharing/
https://www.hhinc.org/intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities-services-overview/residential/
Career Research - Start the Conversation Here
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
An Early Reach Coordinator from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) meets with PAHS students approximately once every month and a half to provide instruction on transition related concepts to students with IEPs. These sessions address students across the spectrum of disabilities and focus on skills related to employment, post-secondary education and training, and independent living skills.
For this year, we are planning one in person session from 9 am-12 pm with four sessions of the same presentation and then Zoom sessions for the remainder of the year. By doing the Zoom sessions, we will be able to service more students since we will not be limited on room capacity or class period restrictions.
Please, complete the following form to provide input as to whether you would like for your student to attend these sessions. Parent Input Form
An OVR Waiver will need to be submitted for your student to participate in the sessions. You will find the English version here and the Spanish version here. This can be printed and sent into your student's caseload teachers. Caseload teachers also have hard copies of these to send home if needed.
Our first session will be on December 13, 2021!
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