Recorded Date: August 21, 2025
No CRC credits available
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About this Session
In this second session of the Pathways to Possibilities webinar series, we’ll go deeper into how stakeholders are using NTACT:C resources in real-world settings to support postsecondary education, employment, and community living. This session will focus on practical strategies, cross-role collaboration, and lessons learned. The presenters will share examples of how these resources are making a difference in schools, VR offices, homes, and communities.
Training Objectives:
- Examine real-world examples of how NTACT:C resources are being applied to support postsecondary education, employment, and community living outcomes.
- Evaluate strategies used by cross-role teams to implement NTACT:C tools in schools, VR offices, homes, and community settings.
- Discuss lessons learned, promising practices, and challenges encountered while applying NTACT:C resources in diverse contexts.
- Apply shared insights and examples to strengthen collaboration and enhance youth-centered transition planning within your own team or agency.
Presenters
Christie Cyktor, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Youth Training and Leadership Coordinator
PEAL Center
Dr. Christie Cyktor, OTD, MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist, researcher, and disability advocate dedicated to advancing equity and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. She currently serves as the Youth Training and Leadership Coordinator at the PEAL Center, Pennsylvania’s Parent Training and Information Center, where she empowers youth with disabilities to develop self-advocacy and leadership skills. Christie also provides virtual school-based OT services to K-12 students attending cyber charter schools across the state.
Crystal Emery
State Systemic Improvement Plan Specialist
Utah State Board of Education
Crystal Emery is a secondary transition professional with over 25 years of experience working with young children and adolescents. She is certified as an early intervention specialist, a Coach for Early Childhood Professionals, an Employment Specialist, and a Customized Employment professional. She has a Master of Science in Special Education with an emphasis in secondary transition and a Doctorate in Disability Studies both from Utah State University. She currently works for the Utah State Board of Education as the State Systemic Improvement Plan Specialist as part of the secondary transition team.
Lavinia Gripentrog
Secondary Transition Specialist and Instructor
Utah State Board of Education
Utah State University
Utah State University
Lavinia Gripentrog serves as a Secondary Transition Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education and instructor at Utah State University. With a career spanning 20+ years in adult services, K-12 special education, and postsecondary transition, she provides expertise and training to educators and community partners. She holds master's degrees in significant disabilities and postsecondary transition.
Lupe Stevens
Program Director of Transitions
Nebraska VR
Lupe Stevens is a Program Director of Transitions at Nebraska VR, where she brings over 20 years of dedicated service to the field of Vocational Rehabilitation. Throughout her career, Lupe has been committed to supporting students and young adults in achieving their employment and independence goals. Prior to her current role, she served as a VR Specialist, working closely with students in the Pre-employment Transition Program as well as young adults in the VR Program.
Michele Williers
Executive Director
PEAK Parent Center
Michele Williers is the Executive Director of the PEAK Parent Center and is a servant and mission-driven leader with over 30 years of experience in leadership, operations, management, and community partnership development. As a devoted mother of a micro preemie miracle, Beck, a young man who is Deafblind with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Michele is a fierce advocate for families of children with disabilities, self-advocates, transition-aged youth, and underserved communities, having led transformative initiatives and guest lectured on critical social issues.
