What you really should
have learned in college,
but didn't
What every SpEd teacher who has students with IEP Transition Plans NEEDS to know,
so their students are prepared to graduate and exit!
How to help students and families access benefits so they can use the skills YOU taught them into adulthood
A Professional Development that's cheaper and better than a Graduate Course
Not all degress or courses are applicable to your position.
Less money than a single graduate-level course and a 'syllabus' that actually applies to your role. Less time than a semester long class (and no annoying group projects).
No more wondering what supports are available to your graduating/exiting students
Just like Special Ed, adult services has their own jargon-filled language.
Learn what federal and state acroynms mean, what benefits and funding are right for each student, and help your families make sense of it all using plain, easy to understand language.
Stop crossing your fingers that families will follow through when you share contact information
If you've sent countless emails with no reply, you need to find another way.
Use my teacher-tested tips and methods for getting families on board with WANTING to access benefits and increase their follow-through as you go through the application process.
What makes this
professional development
so great?
'This PD has changed how I support families who are completely overwhelmed by all the adult service decisions they are met with as their young adult/student quickly approaches graduation/ their 18th birthday. The best feeling I get is when I help families take their first step.
I have been referencing the materials from this professional development often since completing the course. The way Heather laid out and prioritized each step has been very helpful.'
-Melissa, Secondary Educator from Iowa
Check out Lesson 1 for FREE!
It's like trying on the Professional Development before you buy!
*I have a hunch it will look good on you!
If your undergrad and grad school classes never covered benefits, you're not alone
You CAN speak confidently about SSI, Medicaid, housing, ABLE Accounts, Special Needs Trust, Guardianship, Supported Decision Making, and more!
I'll teach you how and help you get connected with local experts who can answer your questions and support your students and families through the application & approval process.
Give your students the opportunities to practice the skills you've taught them after they graduate/exit
You have spent the past 4+ years teaching them so many valuable life and vocational skills, don't let them regress just because you don't know what adult services are appropriate!
Securing the right benefits and services for your students and families will create opportunities for them to continue using and building on the skills you've taught them.
Do you teach special education transition?
Do you teach high school special education functional life skills?
Are you a transition coordinator?
Supporting your students and families in accessing much needed benefits (like SSI, Medicaid, Power of Attorney, public transportation, and more) shouldn’t be just another thing on your mile long to-do list, it should be one of your top priorities as a transition, high school special ed teacher or juniors and seniors, or transition facilitator.
While benefits, services, fudning, and supports in the post-school sense may seem like a true head scratcher, it’s possible to learn the content, make connections, and confidently walk your students and families through the process.
Professional Development Course Outline
Let’s talk about the best parts of each module.
You get...
Module 1- Benefits
-
An overview of what government and community benefits and waivers to consider for your students
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Direct links to benefits in your state
-
A process for determining what students are appropriate for what benefits
Module 2- Research & Connections
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An approach to efficiently increase your understanding of benefits
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A method for creating connections with benefit experts
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A process for collecting information and tracking student benefits
Module 3- Family Support
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Guidance on establishing trust when working with families
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Steps for educating families on the benefits that are best for them
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Tips for increasing family follow through during the benefit application process
Module 4- Dedicating Time
-
Systems to increase efficiency
-
The best times and ways to support families
-
Opportunities to share the value of your efforts with your administration
By the end of this program,
you will have…
LESS Confusion
You'll be able to clearly and confidently explain a benefit to waiver to a family and why you should help them through the application process
MORE connections with benefit experts
You'll have go-to experts to rely on to connect with your families to share up-to-date information with benefits, waivers, services, and supports who can
MORE trust with families
You'll have tried and true methods for establishing trust with families as you walk along side them during the benefit application journey
LESS worry when students graduate or exit
You will have supported your students and famlies in accessing the benefits, services, and waivers that will support the indiivudal and create opportunities for them to practice all the skills they've learned in school far into adulthood
Check out Lesson 1 for FREE!
It's like trying on the Professional Development before you buy!
When you enroll, you’ll get:
Confused to Connected Professional Development
4 Modules
Ten pre-recorded lessons spread out over four modules to absorb at your own pace and on your own schedule!
PDF Resources
-Digital Google-Sheets grid of benefits and supports to assist in identifying what your students and families are eligible for
-Clickable state-specific benefit and agency contact information
-Scripts to facilitate communication with families
-Pre-made Google Docs to organize progress towards benefits
-Tips for supporting families through different processes
More Resources
-Positive Postcards to praise parents and families for working through the process
-Fillable templates when learning about benefits and networking
-Tips for increasing efficiency and family follow through
-Fillable template when meeting families for the first time
Email communication
Weekly emails recapping the newest module and a detailed 'to-do list' for the week ahead
Money Back Guarantee
Asking your administration to pay for a PD may require jumping through hoops
and forking over your own hard-earned dollar can be scary.
I know, I've been there!
If after the 1st 7 days you haven't increased your understanding of
government and community benefits, then you can request a full refund.
I'm not here to waste your time or your money!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I only teach high school freshman and sophomores?
I don’t live in Illinois like you, Heather. Will the information be relevant?
I’ve been telling my families to apply for benefits for years and most don’t follow through.
How can I get my families to not wait until their student is ready to exit before considering applying for benefits, services, and supports?
I’m already overwhelmed as a teacher, I don’t think I’ll have time to add this to my full plate.
Isn’t it enough to invite the outside agency representative to the IEP meeting?
Are the trainings live?
Can my school district pay for the professional development for me?
Can I get hours towards my licensure renewal?
Check out Lesson 1 for FREE!
It's like trying on the Professional Development before you buy!
Not sure if this PD is for you?
If your adult agencies left you or your families feeling unsupported this year, then it’s time to learn the skills and make the connections to provide that extra layer of support for next year. It may not have been in the textbooks of our undergraduate or graduate degree programs, but it is necessary and vital for student’s success in life after they leave the educational system.
I can’t wait for you to join
Confused to Connected!
Seeing and hearing the pure excitement and relief from families when they receive their award and approval letters, it’s truly heartwarming. The experience of helping students and families in this way reignited my love for teaching and special education.
I cherish every, ‘thank you,’ every ‘I so appreciate this,’ and every ‘thanks for taking the time to help us,’ on a whole new level.
Heather
