Transition Information
High Incidence Disabilities
21 October 2022
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) - October Update
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.
Ms. Webster, our OVR Early Reach Coordinator, will come into PAHS approximately one day per month to provide transition lessons to our students. The lessons will focus on one topic within the three areas of transition, which are post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.
Families often ask, "Is this appropriate for my child?" The answer is a resounding, "YES!" Once your student graduates, it will be their responsibility to self-advocate at work, in daily life, and at post-secondary education. The OVR presentations provide them background information and foundational skills to be their own advocate.
If you would like for your student to participate, and have not yet done so, please, fill out the Parent Input Form. You will also need to submit the release for your student to participate.
On October 21, 2022, Ms. Angelica Webster's presentation centered on what an IEP is, how to participate in the IEP meeting, and WHY it's important to participate in the IEP meeting. Many students shared that they have not participated in their IEP meetings and are unsure as to why they have an IEP. Ms. Webster and I reviewed that it is vital to have a voice in their education, because once they graduate, they will need to advocate for themselves. We also reviewed that they can speak with the adults in their lives and/or their Study Skills teachers to learn about the most important parts of their IEP.
2022 Opportunity Guide
Check out this amazing guide to community opportunities in Chester County for individuals with disabilities.
The ARC
The ARC of Chester County www.arcofchestercounty.org
The ARC of Chester County provides services to individuals with disabilities through two types of support: programs and advocacy.
Programs include Early Intervention, Comprehensive Employment Services, Family Support Services, Agency with Choice, and the associated Self-Directing Services. Through these services, the ARC supports individuals birth through adulthood. For example, due to staffing shortages for many community supports, the ARC will work with families to help them onboard individuals to work with their family members and will assist with items like payroll and employment details that may be obstacles for families.
The ARC provides three different types of advocacy services. First, in educational advocacy, an ARC advocate will review documents with families, attend IEP meetings, and answer questions for families about the special education process. In systems advocacy, the ARC staff will help families navigate complex systems such as social security and waiver funding. Finally, the ARC of Chester County provides legislative advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities. The team works with legislators to promote laws that are positive and forward thinking for individuals with disabilities and defeat bills that could be detrimental to this group.
As part of their parent training, the ARC presents an ongoing, free, virtual, lunch-time learning series called Chat-n-Chews. Here is the link to register for upcoming opportunities:
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 want to learn more about the ARC of Chester County and its services, please contact:
Kimberly Booz | Director of Advocacy
The Arc of Chester County
900 Lawrence Drive | West Chester, PA 19380
tel (610) 696-8090 ext. 234 | fax (610) 696-8300 | cell 610-241-0197
email: kbooz@arcofchestercounty.org
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,
Upcoming Events
Join us for the CCIU Virtual Transition Fair!
The CCIU Virtual Transition Fair will be held on November 2nd and November 9th from 6-8:30PM. Please share this exciting event with families and colleagues. So many interesting speakers, flexible attendance, and resources make this fair special! Registration information and speaker details in the link below:
Community Trainings
Please join us for 3 FREE evening events discussing topics in special education for families. Come learn with us about understanding the IEP process, mental health and social emotional learning, and strategies to support the whole child. Details and registration available in the file below.
Understanding the IEP Process
This training will provide an overview of the IEP process including required timelines, paperwork, meetings, team member roles, and more.
Date: Tuesday November 22, 2022
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM or 6:00-7:00 PM
Location: https://cciu.zoom.us/j/4259245299
Mental Health & Social Emotional Learning
This training will include information on supporting students with mental health needs as well as tips to incorporate social emotional learning into
Date: January 30, 2023
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM or 6:00-7:00 PM everyday practices.
Location: https://cciu.zoom.us/j/425924529
Strategies to Support the Whole Child
This training will provide a multitude of strategies to support children outside of the educational setting in areas such as academics, behavior, communication, and more.
Date: Monday April 24, 2023
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM or 6:00-7:00 PM
Location: https://cciu.zoom.us/j/4259245299
PA Family Network Workshops
Free Workshops- Registration is Required
pafamilynetwork.org/Transitions
Maintain Wellness Amid the Stress of Long Term Planning
October 26th, 10am and 6:30pm
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