EM-GTW SSA

MT-TIRC expands the current resources and services of the Transition Projects in response to needs identified by young people with developmental disabilities, their families, schools, and providers such as the Montana Developmental Disabilities Program; the Montana Advocacy Program; Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK); and the Office of Public Instruction. These key stakeholders have repeatedly stated they need information about how to best prepare youth for adult life while they are still in school; guidance about what adult agencies do and how to access their services; help navigating the adult system; and information, innovative ideas, and technical assistance to create unique, individualized and inclusive adult lives for young people with developmental disabilities.

In Montana, there are often lengthy waiting lists for DD adult residential and employment services, and many students with significant disabilities are not even considered for community employment, housing, or recreation due to the severity of their disability. MT-TIRC will change that practice by:

Working with a total of ten youth per year; their families, schools and developmental disabilities providers; and ten “emerging leaders” mentors to develop and demonstrate a replicable strengths-based, consumer-driven approach to transition planning.
Providing information about services for young adults, how to access them, and how to blend or braid funds and resources together to create the supports they want and need.
Increasing awareness of ALL options for adult living, especially paid community employment or self-employment, post-secondary education, home ownership, and inclusive community membership (recreation, leisure, civic opportunities, etc.).
Supporting youth with developmental disabilities to learn and practice leadership skills by representing themselves in a strengths-based manner, describing their own abilities and support needs, and advocating for needed accommodations at their IEP meetings.
Expanding the existing Transition Projects Web site to include an accessible, youth-designed section of transition considerations, resources, planning guides, and tools.
Sharing transition resources through electronic newsletters, topical fact sheets, Web-based training sessions, and e-mail listserv postings.

To join the Montana Transition Listserv please send your email address to: brown@ruralinstitute.umt.edu

For additional information about MT-TIRC contact:
Ellen Condon, Project Director
Toll-free: 1-800-243-5467, or (406) 243-4134
E-mail: condon@ruralinstitute.umt.edu
Mail: Rural Institute, University of MT, 634Eddy, CHC 009, Missoula, MT 59812

Kim Brown, Project Coordinator
Toll-free: 1-800-243-5467, or (406) 243-4852
E-mail: brown@ruralinstitute.umt.edu

Mail:
Rural Institute,
University of MT
634Eddy, CHC 009
Missoula, MT 59812

	Montana Transition Training, Information and Resource Center (MT-TIRC) MT-TIRC expands the current resources and services of the Transition Projects in response to needs identified by young people with developmental disabilities, their families, schools, and providers such as the Montana Developmental Disabilities Program; the Montana Advocacy Program; Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK); and the Office of Public Instruction. These key stakeholders have repeatedly stated they need information about how to best prepare youth for adult life while they are still in school; guidance about what adult agencies do and how to access their services; help navigating the adult system; and information, innovative ideas, and technical assistance to create unique, individualized and inclusive adult lives for young people with developmental disabilities. In Montana, there are often lengthy waiting lists for DD adult residential and employment services, and many students with significant disabilities are not even considered for community employment, housing, or recreation due to the severity of their disability. MT-TIRC will change that practice by: Working with a total of ten youth per year; their families, schools and developmental disabilities providers; and ten “emerging leaders” mentors to develop and demonstrate a replicable strengths-based, consumer-driven approach to transition planning. Providing information about services for young adults, how to access them, and how to blend or braid funds and resources together to create the supports they want and need. Increasing awareness of ALL options for adult living, especially paid community employment or self-employment, post-secondary education, home ownership, and inclusive community membership (recreation, leisure, civic opportunities, etc.). Supporting youth with developmental disabilities to learn and practice leadership skills by representing themselves in a strengths-based manner, describing their own abilities and support needs, and advocating for needed accommodations at their IEP meetings. Expanding the existing Transition Projects Web site to include an accessible, youth-designed section of transition considerations, resources, planning guides, and tools. Sharing transition resources through electronic newsletters, topical fact sheets, Web-based training sessions, and e-mail listserv postings. To join the Montana Transition Listserv please send your email address to: brown@ruralinstitute.umt.edu For additional information about MT-TIRC contact: Ellen Condon, Project Director Toll-free: 1-800-243-5467, or (406) 243-4134 E-mail: condon@ruralinstitute.umt.edu Mail: Rural Institute, University of MT, 634Eddy, CHC 009, Missoula, MT 59812 Kim Brown, Project Coordinator Toll-free: 1-800-243-5467, or (406) 243-4852 E-mail: brown@ruralinstitute.umt.edu Mail: Rural Institute, University of MT 634Eddy, CHC 009 Missoula, MT 59812

	Home Page \| Customized Career Planning \| SSA \| Self-Employment Collaborative Funding \| Success Stories \| Articles & Products \| Training Calendar Completed Projects \| Staff \| Other Links \| The Rural Institute