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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue their discussion with Martha Goodman, an advocate who has created the MEIRA (Maryland Education Information Resources And Advocacy) Planning Tool. This part of the conversation highlights the uncertainty caused by funding gaps, and the impact that can have on families. Martha also shares her daughter's transition journey, including volunteering in Israel, the complexity of employment and pursuing continued education. Join the conversation! 

Episode Keywords:
DDA application, Pre-ETS, funding issues, political advocacy, transitioning youth, CCBC program, literacy classes, child care assistant, Postsecondary Transition, reading level, parental advocacy, transition process.

Links:
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Agency (page)
DD Agency Locator (site)

Maryland (specific) Links:
MEIRA Planning Tool (site)
Disability Rights MD (site)
Community College of Baltimore County Single Step Academic Preparation (site) 

Quick Note to Listeners: there was a connection problem during the second part of our conversation with Martha which caused a breakdown in the quality of the recorded audio. We were hoping to be able to save some of it, but the bits and pieces that were clear to understand just made no sense when they were edited together. We did let Martha know and we plan to rectify it by bringing her back again for another great discussion (that we plan to capture in its' entirety 😉). 

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

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This week, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have a conversation with Martha Goodman, an advocate who has created the MEIRA (Maryland Education Information Resources And Advocacy) Planning Tool. This tool aims to assist families in navigating the complexities of the transition process. Martha shares her background, her dedication to education advocacy, and how her personal experience as a mother of a child with Down syndrome has  influenced her work. She also discusses her plans to expand the available resources and exciting future developments. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Postsecondary Transition, families, students with disabilities, transition coordinators, education advocate, Maryland Education Information Resources and Advocacy, Maryland legislation, child find service, parent advocacy, transition planning, special needs, glossary, Wright's Law, life skills teachers, transition issues, Maryland Special Needs Advocacy Project

Links:
IDEA Child Find Mandate (link)
Wrights Law (link)

Maryland (specific) Links:
MEIRA Planning Tool (site)
Childfind (Parents Place of Maryland) PDF (link)
Maryland Partners in Policy Making (site)

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss the process of applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) online, emphasizing the shift from in-person to electronic applications (post-COVID). They highlight the importance of distinguishing SSI from SSDI and provide step-by-step instructions for applying on the Social Security Administration's website. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
SSI application, online process, Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income, SSDI, eligibility, application status, cheat sheet, young adult, disability, account creation, password security, bureaucratic process, transition coordinators, parent resources

Links:
Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) online Cheat Sheet (**coming soon)
Social Security Administration (site)
Supplemental Security Income (site)
Ep. 21 - Supplemental Security Income (link)
Supplemental Security Income (page)
SSI/SSDI YouTube Playlist (page) 

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss the National Disability Employment Awareness Month and share about their experiences with a recent local event they attended. They talk about the events' featured presentations, breakout sessions, and activities that included free professional headshots and VR work simulations. They highlighted the importance of their school systems 40+ partnerships with local businesses including an upcoming initiative to use film students to create promotional videos for those partnerships. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, employment opportunities, breakout sessions, VR, professional headshots, virtual reality headset, work scenarios, career exploration, workforce development, partnerships, business support, student employment, community relationships, film projects, DDA support

Links:
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (page)
Office of Disability Employment Policy (site)
Meta Quest VR Headset (site)
Headshot (page)
Supplemental Security Income (page)
Ep. 021 SSI (page)
Ep. 061. Interview: Donna & Bayo from The Difference 2-17 (page)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Workforce Development (page) 

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) had a BUSY few weeks planning for their local Transition Fair (and other stuff) 😏. In the meantime, Ms. Elizabeth Larson from Special Needs Advanced Planning graciously gave permission to share out one of her quick informational sessions.  Ms. Larson talks about the core elements needed when considering financial planning. You can find the original video post here and more discussions from the Special Needs Advanced Planning team here.

Thanks again to Ms. Larson for permission to share out her work! 

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss more in-depth how transition fairs can help families with planning through the transition process. The duo highlight how fairs will typically promote providers and agencies offering various services, including day programs, residential agencies, and recreational opportunities. They emphasize the value of early planning, advising families to gather information, organize it in a transition binder, and consider specific needs. They also suggest using checklists, attending breakout sessions, and engaging with providers to make informed decisions. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Transition fair, post-secondary transition, families with disabilities, resources, providers, agencies, day programs, residential agencies, community development, Special Olympics, disability rights, estate planning, transition coordinators, special educators, breakout sessions 

Links:
Adult Agency Snapshot (page)
Guardianship (page)
Alternatives to Guardianship (page)
Transition Tools (page)
Developmental Disabilities Agencies (page)
Vocational Rehabilitative Agency (page)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Disability Rights Maryland (site)
DORS (page)
DDA (page)

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss the challenges families may face when their children with disabilities transition out of school before turning 21. They highlight the importance of planning during the "gap year" and exploring alternative resources for funding support, such as VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) agencies. They emphasize the necessity for families to be proactive and have contingency plans due to funding uncertainties and potential delays in DD approval. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Post Secondary Transition, families, students with disabilities, gap year, DDA funding, Developmental Disabilities Administration, Division of Rehabilitation Services, Project SEARCH, job support, day programming, volunteer opportunities, career path, funding cuts, transition coordinators, community engagement

Links:
Project Search (site)
DD locator (site)
VR locator (site)
Developmental Disabilities Agencies (page)
Vocational Rehabilitative Agency (page)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Project Search- Howard County (page)
The ARC of Howard County (site) 

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

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Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) are back for a brand new season and discuss the start of the new school year for families of students with disabilities. They emphasize the importance of letting the dust settle before reaching out to case managers or teachers to discuss long-term visions and vocational skills. They advise parents to check in with their respective DD coordinators and/or VR agencies to ensure their child's status and opportunities. They also highlight the significance of updated assessments and encourage families to look for local workshops and fairs. This and more, so join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
Post-Secondary Transition, supported decision making, TerpsEXCEED program, new school year, transition coordinators, vocational skills, community work sites, DD coordinator, VR agencies, IEP meetings, transition fairs, guardianship, alternative to guardianship, ABLE accounts, transition resources.

Episode Links:
Oregon Transition podcast (site)
EXCEEDing Expectations (YouTube)
DD locator (site)
VR locator (site)
ThinkCollege (site)
Developmental Disabilities Agencies (page)
Vocational Rehabilitative Agency (page)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
DORS (page)
DDA (page) 

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

As hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) work to navigate the beginning of their new school year, the friends at TerpsEXCEED gave permission to share out one of the discussions from their own podcast EXCEEDing Expectations. In this discussion, host Adrian Forsythe (a former TerpsEXCEED participant) interviews Amy D'Agati, the program's director and Meredith Gramlich, the Associate Director. The trio discuss the program's origins, growth, and inclusivity. They highlight the program's success, including the increase in mentors and the integration of students with disabilities into campus life. You can find the original video discussion here and more discussions from the TerpsEXCEED team here. 

Thanks again to the TerpsEXCEED team for permission to share out their work! 

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

As hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) take a break for the summer, their friends at the Oregon Transition Podcast (OTP) graciously gave permission to use one of their fantastic discussions. OTP's episode explores the difference between Guardianship and exercising Supported Decision Making. OTP works to discuss the various ways individuals can be supported for daily decisions, job exploration, financial literacy and post-secondary training and education.

Thanks again to the Oregon Transition Podcast for their permission to share out their work! Find information about the Oregon Transition Podcast here and here. 

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.