Resources
Search our Transition Database, find resources by topic, read our newsletters and more.Transition Database
RAISE partners with the Center for Parent Center Information and Resources (CPIR) to provide information on a variety of Transition-related topics. Parent Centers, families, and youth can search the Resource Database, courtesy of the CPIR.
Resources for Partners, Parent Centers & Families
Resources by Topic
(Click to go to any topic.)
- Apprenticeship
- Accessibility Resources
- Cultural Competency
- Education
- Employment
- Employment Curriculum
- Health & Wellness
- Independent Living
- Laws, Policies, Rights & Regulations
- NEW: MPACT
- Post-secondary Education/Training Programs
- Wholistic Transition
- Youth Advisory Council
- YAFC Podcast
- Youth Development
Quick Links for Youth & Families
The network of Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) support families and youth throughout the US.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
JAN offers free, confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.
Searchable Online Accommodation Resources (SOAR)
JAN’s SOAR system lets users explore accommodation options for people with disabilities in work and educational settings.
Social Security Administration: Ticket to Work
The SSA’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries who want to work.
Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS)
With a PASS Plan, an individual with a disability can set aside money to pay for items/services to achieve a specific work goal.
ESSA: Quick Guides on Top Issues
This Quick Guides on Top Issues report from Education Commission of the States (ECS) addresses questions about ESSA.
Family Resource Guide from Transition TN
This guide includes transition topics including finances, family support, community supports, post-secondary education, health, independent living, and employment.
OSEP English to Spanish Glossary of Terms
Parent Centers and Transition
New from RAISE
Transition Alphabet Soup! Find out what these acronyms mean?
Plain Language Made Easy
RAISE and PEATC collaborated to develop this resource guide and video in English and Spanish to assist people in making their documents accessible to everyone.
- The Importance of Using Plain Language explains how plain language makes information easier for people to read and to understand. En Espanol *
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Using Plain Language Video explains how using plain language makes it easier for people to understand. En Espanol *
Readable Print
These resource provide information on how to make printed text the most visually accessible.
- Creating Readable Print Materials explains the rules that will make text readable for everyone, including people with reading, language, or visual disabilities and their families.*
- Creating Readable Text is a video shows how to create readable print material *
RAISE’s Youth Development Toolkit for Parent Centers
Welcome to RAISE’s Youth Development Toolkit for Parent Centers. Developed in 2020 by RAISE in collaboration with other stakeholders, this toolkit is a resource for Parent Center professionals who are engaging youth on a regular basis and looking to take the next step in supporting youth development. This toolkit is meant to guide professionals and organizations in finding the many opportunities to incorporate programming centered in youth development. Providing meaningful participation to the youth that you serve will propel them forward in their journey of becoming empowered young adults.
RAISE’s Youth Leadership Toolkit for Parent Centers
Welcome to RAISE’s Youth Leadership Toolkit for Parent Centers. Developed in 2020 by RAISE in collaboration with other stakeholders, this toolkit is a resource for Parent Center professionals who are engaging youth on a regular basis, have begun to develop and recognize more skills in their youth, and are looking to take the next step in supporting youth leadership. This toolkit is meant to guide professionals and organizations in finding the many opportunities to incorporate programming centered in youth development. Providing meaningful participation to the youth that you serve will propel them forward in their journey of becoming empowered, self-directed, young adults.
Transition Alphabet Soup! What do these acronyms mean?
ABLE Account
Savings accounts for people with disabilities which allow them to keep benefits.
ACL Administration on Community Living
Maximizes independence for people with disabilities and older adults.
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
The civil rights law that prevents discrimination against people with disabilities.
ADL Activities of Daily Living
Everyday tasks people do to live and home and remain independent.
Career / Vocational Assessment
Tests that measure work-related skills and interests.
CBI: Community Based Instruction
Teaching skills, such as employment skills, in natural environments.
CIL Centers for Independent Living
Support community living and independent for people with disabilities.
Competitive Employment
A job which is paid at the same rate as wages paid to people without disabilities doing similar work.
Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Identify the needs of people with developmental disabilities in their state and work towards systems change to enhance independence.
Disability Rights
Called Protection and Advocacy in some states, they promote the rights of people with disabilities.
DDS-Division/Department of Disability Services
Provides information/referral to services for individuals with disabilities.
DHS-Department of Human Services
Protects health and wellbeing by providing essential human services, especially for vulnerable populations.
Dual Diagnosis
Refers to someone with co-occurring conditions such and developmental disability and mental illness, or mental illness and substance use.
DVR-Division of Vocational and Rehabilitative Services
Helps people with disabilities prepare for or maintain employment.
Group Home
Where people who are unrelated and need care live together, however this is not truly community based as people are grouped based on their condition.
Guardianship
A legal process in which someone else makes decisions for an adult; although this used to be widely accepted, it takes away the rights of the individual and supported decision-making is preferred.
Home Care
Care required in the home to maintain someone in their community, rather than institutional care.
HIPAA-Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Protects private health information.
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004
Federal special education law.
IEP: Individualized Education Program
The student’s educational plan which includes supports and services.
IEP Team
The team which includes parents and child study that develops the IEP.
Independent Living
Living like nondisabled peers with the ability to make decisions and choose activities.
IPE Individualized Plan for Employment
The job-related plan for employment and services need to reach employment goals.
Assists individuals with disabilities to learn or keep a job.
Job Training
Prepares people with disabilities for employment.
Medicaid
Public health coverage for low income or people with disabilities.
Medicare
Public health coverage for people with disabilities or those over 65.
PASS Plan for Achieving Self-Support
A savings plan for people with disabilities to reach a work goal.
Pre-Vocational
Pre-employment skills training to help people with disabilities get a job.
Pre-ETS Pre-Employment Transition Services
Provided to prepare students with disabilities for competitive employment.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Prohibits disability discrimination and provides services such as training for independent living.
Self-Advocacy
Being able to communicate needs and access services.
Self-Determination
Making decisions, setting goals, and self-advocacy.
Sheltered Workshop
Employs people with disabilities separately from others and pays below minimum wage.
SGA Substantial Gainful Activity
The level of work of non-disabled peers.
SNT Special/Supplemental Needs Trust
A savings plan that allows people with disabilities to maintain benefits.
Social Security
Assists retirees, survivors, and people with disabilities.
SSDI Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
Disability benefits based on a work history.
SSI Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Cash assistance for people with disabilities who are not gainfully employed.
Supported Employment
Helps people with disabilities with supports to obtain inclusive/competitive employment.
Transition
Moving from school to adult life which includes health care, work, and independent living.
Transition Services
Plans what a student with disabilities wants to do post-school.
Work Incentives
Working while receiving disability benefits.
The STANDARD: 9.9, October 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we look at emergency preparedness and the importance of teaching skills for planning during the transition years. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 9.9, October 2023
The STANDARD: 9.8, September 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we look at person-centered planning and how it can improve the transition process. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 9.8, September 2023
The STANDARD: 9.7, July 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we look at the role of recreation in transition planning. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 9.7, July 2023
The STANDARD: 9.6, June 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we will explore the challenges within our nation’s disability benefits system, unpack several of the benefits programs offered for people with disabilities, and share ways to maximize them for independence and self-direction. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 9.6, June 2023
The STANDARD: 9.5, April 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we take a deep dive into how and why to use summertime to advance transition skills. Continue Reading The STANDARD: 9.5, April 2023
The STANDARD: 9.4, March 2023
In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we explore the impact of trauma on transition planning and outcomes, and what service providers and other professionals can do to best support youth who have experience trauma Continue Reading The STANDARD: 9.4, March 2023
Webinars
RAISE hosts webinars for the RSA PTIs, individuals with disabilities and their families, and for our partners. Recordings of the webinar are available here and on our YouTube page. Each webinar is accompanied by a PowerPoint slide deck, a list of relevant resources, and other handouts for use by participants. Click on any title below to view that webinar in more detail.
A New Parent Training Resource: Helping Families See Possibilities in Employment
A RAISE Center Webinar in collaboration with REAL Transition Partners.
There is growing momentum to promote competitive employment as the preferred outcome of secondary transition services, and to make sure that individuals with disabilities have access to employment opportunities after high school. To realize this vision, families will need support to help them embrace the benefits of their loved ones having a real job in the community. RAISE, in partnership with TransCen, has developed a new parent training resource designed to help advocates, educators, and disability professionals connect with families and highlight the possibilities found in employment.
This “train the trainer” session will provide content information and delivery strategies related to using the materials effectively. Key topics include understanding the value of employment, examining families expectations, building work skills and addressing family concerns. If you are a parent trainer, or if you just want to have better conversations with families about employment, this session is for you.
Date: Monday, Nov 6th, 2023
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET
Presenters: Sean Roy, TransCen Inc.
Sean Roy is the Chief Innovation and Training Officer for TransCen Inc. In this position he works to provide training and technical assistance to states, employment professionals and schools, leading to improved success for individuals with disabilities who are transitioning from school into the workforce and life in the community. Sean is an experienced curriculum developer, writer, trainer and presenter, often being asked to speak to professionals and families about issues of employment, accessing postsecondary education, and promoting family involvement in employment and transition planning. Sean has over 20 years experience, including many years as a parent advocate, and draws from lessons learned having a sibling with a developmental disability.
ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!
Continue Reading A New Parent Training Resource: Helping Families See Possibilities in Employment
Tools and Strategies for Independent Living Advocates Mentoring Families of Children with Disabilities
A Webinar Collaboration of The National Council on Independent Living and The National Resources for Access, Independence, Self-determination and Employment (RAISE) Technical Assistance Center
Parent-led organizations and disability-led Centers for Independent Living have a shared objective of facilitating the transition of youth with disabilities to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. Join this webinar to hear from a panel with lived experience about how families and CILs can collaborate to support the self-determination, empowerment, and independent living goals of youth preparing for and experiencing transition.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
· The role of parent-led organizations in educating families about how to support self-determination, empowerment, and independent living goals.
· The role of Centers for Independent Living in communicating to families the independent living philosophy and how to support their transitioning youth’s self-determination and empowerment.
· How disability-led CILs can work with parent-led organizations to facilitate the self-determination, empowerment, and independent living goals of youth preparing for and experiencing transition.
· Strategies for assisting youth to maintain self-determination when their families work against their goals.
Date: Monday, September 25th, 2023
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET
Presenters:
Wednesday Jones, Employment and Financial Literacy Specialist, Able SC Center for Independent Living
Dawn Monaco, Program Director for Youth Engagement, Project Director for REAL Transition Partners at the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, National Advisory Board Member for the Center on Youth Voice, Youth Choice.
Mary-Kate Wells, Program Director at the National Council on Independent Living.
ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!
Society says “ADULT”, we say “they are still our children”: The challenges for transition age youth with mental illness and their families – August 21
The point in time when a youth reaches the legal age of consent begins a period known as “Transition Age Youth” – frequently referred to as a “black hole” in terms of services. This presentation will provide an overview of the most common challenges family members and other caregivers face when the child with mental illness in their care reaches the age that they can legally make treatment and other decisions for themselves – including the decision to leave the caregiver out of the process entirely. There will be tools and other resources shared that can be helpful to those currently navigating the process as well as those who are preparing to navigate the journey.
Date: Monday, August 21st, 2023
Time: 2pm ET
Presenter:
Teri Brister, PhD, LPC
Chief Program Officer
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
ASL interpretation & Spanish interpretation will be offered!
El momento en que un joven alcanza la edad de consentimiento legal comienza un período conocido como “Joven en edad de transición”, a menudo asociado al término “agujero negro” en términos de servicios. Esta presentación brindará una descripción general de los desafíos más comunes que enfrentan los miembros de la familia y otros cuidadores cuando el joven con enfermedad mental bajo su cuidado alcanza la edad en la que legalmente puede tomar decisiones acerca de administrar su propio tratamiento y decisiones de otro tipo, incluida la decisión de dejar al cuidador fuera del proceso por completo. Se compartirán herramientas y otros recursos que pueden ser útiles para aquellos que actualmente navegan por el proceso, así como para los que se están preparando para entrar en esta nueva fase.
Fecha: lunes 21 de agosto de 2023
Hora: 2pm ET
Presentado por:
Teri Brister, PhD, LPC
Chief Program Officer
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Se ofrecerá interpretación al español y ASL (lenguaje de señas americano)
Summit Resources
EVENTS
Reimagining Advocacy: Promoting an Authentic Transition to Adult Life
Reimagining Advocacy: Promoting an Authentic Transition to Adult Life
Nov 15, 2021 02:00 PM Eastern Time
Aligning advocacy activities with an often-changing transition landscape can be a challenge for parent training professionals. Providing effective supports to families requires moving away from traditional compliance-based strategies and moving towards an approach that treats transition as a very human, lifespan activity. This webinar will highlight various ways parent advocacy professionals can adjust and improve their transition supports to families, including examining the pitfalls of systems-based thinking, weaving transition into a continuum of advocacy services, and using a lifespan approach to help families embrace transition sooner.
Presenters:
Sean Roy is the Chief Innovation and Training Officer for TransCen Inc.
Dr. Ann Deschamps is Vice President of TransCen Inc.
Laura A. Owens, Ph.D., CESP, has over 30 years of experience as a national leader in the transition and disability employment field. She is currently the President of TransCen, Inc. (TCI).
Continue Reading Reimagining Advocacy: Promoting an Authentic Transition to Adult Life
RAISE Transition Summit 2021
Transition in this Brave New World: Please join us on June 21st and June 28th for professional development, networking, and sharing as we work together to improve transition outcomes for young adults with disabilities.
Day 1: Monday, June 21
2:00pm- 4:00pm ET
Day 2: Monday, June 28
2:00pm- 4:00pm ET
leadership summits
The RAISE Center’s Advisory Partnership consists of 21 board members, including self-advocates, disability activists, the seven RSA-funded PTIs, and professional partners. They give feedback on RAISE work and materials and are active in the product development work groups. This partnership meets on quarterly conference calls, attends annual face-to-face summits and meetings, working together on an ongoing basis to provide TA to those who need it.
Past summits are listed below, with accompanying materials provided for reference.
♦ RAISE Summit 2020
Click above for all documents, links, and other resources pertaining to the 2020 RAISE Summit (Virtual)
♦ RAISE Summit 2019
Click above for all documents, links, and other resources pertaining to the 2018 RAISE Summit in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with APSE.
♦ RAISE Summit 2018
Click above for all documents, links, and other resources pertaining to the 2018 RAISE Summit in Orlando, FL, in conjunction with APSE.
♦ RAISE Summit 2017
Click above for all documents, links, and other resources pertaining to the September 2017 RAISE Summit in East Rutherford, NJ.
♦ RAISE Summit 2016
Click above for all documents, links, and other resources pertaining to the May 2016 RAISE Summit.
RAISE Center Blog
The RAISE Center Blog is a section of the website that is more personal and includes articles from Co-Director Josie Badger and the occasional guest blogger on Transition-related issues from an “insider’s” perspective.
The opinions expressed on these blogs are those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent SPAN or RAISE ideas.
To read the entries in full, click on the titles below or go directly to the blog at raisecenter.wordpress.com. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed to get updates on newly published entries.
Are you interested in reading other blog topics? Would you like to be a guest blogger? Fill out our survey here.
Search
Here are some suggested search keywords: Transition, Employment, Graduation, Healthcare, Health and Wellness, Education, Training, Youth Development, College, Postsecondary, Self Determination, Independent Living, Law, Policy(ies), Rights, Regulations, or other keywords. The tabs that show up in the results will filter the search even more.