CONDON: Montana Transition Planning Model
Project Description:
The Montana Deaf-Blind Project provides information, training, technical assistance and resources to families and educators regarding individuals who have a combined hearing and vision loss (deaf-blindness). One of our focus areas is providing technical assistance around the transition from school to work. We will partner with the National Center on Deaf-Blindness to create a sustainable Transition Planning Model that increases access to community employment for students with significant disabilities, including intellectual/ developmental disabilities (IDD) and related dual sensory impairment (deaf-blindness). The TPM will be based on the Individualized Career Planning Model which was initially developed and demonstrated by the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities (RIIC) in 2002-2006 with Montana students with IDD. The model emphasized individualized career planning driven by the strategy of Discovery; blended funding and support from schools and adult agencies; and post-school community integration outcomes focused on community employment or self-employment.
In collaboration with national and state partners, the Transition Planning Model project team will develop a student-specific version of Discovery. This will be piloted with schools and students to:
• increase parental expectation of their child being employed after graduation;
• inform Transition Planning and Services;
• ensure access to Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with significant impact of disabilities (Pre-ETS became available to all students with disabilities nationally after the passage of WIOA in 2014); and
• create an infrastructure within Montana to provide access to Discovery for students with a significant impact of disability.
We will partner with Vocational Rehabilitation, Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation, schools and / or special education cooperatives, families, students, employers, community members, and other service providers as appropriate to build processes that will be effective and sustainable within their local communities.
Keyword(s):
Transition, Discovery, Deaf-Blindness, Customized Employment
Core Function(s):
Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training, Demonstration Services
Area of Emphasis
Employment-Related Activities, Other
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Mulit-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
