The University of Montana Rural Institute has been a leader in the area of transition planning for youth with disabilities since 1995. Activities have included:
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Provision of education and training to schools, families, students and agencies;
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Development of innovative strategies and transition models;
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Demonstration, outreach and technical assistance, both on-site and long distance;
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Promotion of systems changes to support effective transition for youth from school to adult life; and
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Information dissemination.
Since 2000, we’ve focused several of our projects on customized community employment for youth with significant disabilities. We have developed and implemented unique models of transition planning that continue to evolve as we learn more from the youth and families with whom we work.
Our transition activities are unique in that they promote:
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Customized Employment strategies for youth with disabilities;
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The use of Social Security work incentives for students;
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Transition planning for middle school students;
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Collaborative funding across agencies to create individually-driven employment supports;
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Self-employment as vocational experience or as a post-school outcome; and
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Self-determination for youth as we empower them to identify strengths, skills, and needs for transition planning.
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Looking for Nominations for Emerging Leaders We are looking for examples of young people, age 18-30, in Montana who have a developmental disability to expand the vision of what is possible for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities to learn, live, work and play in their communities. MT-TIRC will create an annual publication(s) to highlight and share innovative examples and stories of young adults with developmental disabilities being active, participating members of their communities. Information will be shared about how the supports necessary to help them realize these possibilities were identified and funded or provided.
More information on nominating Emerging Leaders....
Projects
MT-TIRC Mission: The Montana Transition Training, Information and Resource Center (MT-TIRC) will provide access to timely, high quality transition information, training and resources for young people with developmental disabilities, their families, teachers, professionals, and other community members. MT-TIRC is funded through a three-year grant awarded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The project began on November 1, 2007.
We are looking for two energetic, dynamic young people (age 13-30) with a developmental disability who can serve on our MT-TIRC Advisory Board. This will involve quarterly meetings, in addition to possible board-related work assignments between meetings. If you are interested or know of anyone interested, please contact Kim Brown for more information or download the Invitation (pdf) and the Application Form (pdf). To apply just print the application form, fill it out, and send it to the address provided on the form.
We also have one opening for someone working as part of the Montana Developmental Disabilities Program (could be a contracted case manager, child and family service family support specialist, central office employee, staff person from a community program that receives DD funds. etc.) If you are interested or know of anyone interested, please contact Kim Brown for more information or download the Invitation (pdf) and the Application Form (pdf). To apply just print the application form, fill it out, and send it to the address provided on the form.
Mission:
The Partnerships for Transition Project is a collaborative effort between
the Rural Institute, PLUK (Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids) and the
Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities to improve transition outcomes
for middle school youth with developmental disabilities. Partnerships
is being developed and piloted in six Montana communities.
More about Partnerships for Transition
Transition and Employment Consultation and Technical Assistance
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If you need information from this website in a different format, please contact
Jillian Jurica at 406-243-2390
These Transition Projects are a part of the Rural Institute Center for Excellence in Disability Education, Research, and Service at The University of Montana. MT-TIRC #90DN0223/01 was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Partnerships for Transition is funded by the Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities. (Opinions expressed are those of the Transition Projects staff and not those of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities.) For questions or comments about this webpage contact Jillian Jurica
The Rural Institute has not verified and does not endorse the links or the content of the links that are found on this Web site. These links are provided to assist the site visitor in their search for information. The Rural Institute assumes no responsibility for the validity of information provided on the links and as in all Internet use, the user should verify all information. The information on this Web site is current and accurate to the best of our knowledge. Please Contact Us to share additional resource information. 
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