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The Role of Centers for Independent Living in Transition Service Delivery: Context, Innovation, and Recommendations for Collaboration

OnDemand, Webinar

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Recorded Date: July 18, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm EST / 1:00 pm CST / 12:00 pm MST / 11:00 am PST
Location: Live on Zoom
1 CRC credit available

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About this Event

In this engaging and informative session, we will explore the pivotal role that Centers for Independent Living (CILs) play in the successful transition of youth with disabilities. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the history, philosophy, values, and core services of CILs, emphasizing their commitment to promoting independence and self-advocacy for individuals with disabilities.

We will delve into the vital contributions CILs make to transition service delivery and the positive impact of their inclusion in the planning and execution process. The session will highlight innovative approaches and successful models from CILs such as Able SC and LVCIL, showcasing how they have developed and implemented effective youth transition programs.

Additionally, we will provide practical tips and three key recommendations for enhancing collaboration between agencies and CILs, ensuring seamless and effective transition services for youth with disabilities.

Join us to discover innovative approaches and build stronger partnerships with CILs to support and empower the next generation of young people with disabilities on their journey to independence.

Training Objectives: 

  • Understand the CIL history, philosophy/values, and core services.
  • Recognize the importance of bringing CILs to the table in transition service delivery.
  • Identify ideas for innovative CIL approaches to youth transition programs.
  • Formulate recommendations for collaboration with CILs in the delivery of transition services.

Presenters

Charlie Walters, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Professor University of Maryland’s Center for Transition and Career Innovation (CTCI)
Charles “Charlie” Walters, Ph.D., is an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Maryland’s Center for Transition and Career Innovation (CTCI) and a Research Fellow at the University of South Carolina’s Center for Transition Research and Leadership (CTRL). In his work, he leverages a career in education and publicly-funded services for people with disabilities spanning nearly 15 years. As a program evaluator, Charlie has worked on national impact evaluations of secondary transition interventions; internal and external evaluations of the service delivery of Centers for Independent Living; and systems change-driven evaluations of vocational rehabilitation agencies, schools, and Medicaid waiver service providers. As a researcher, Charlie maintains active lines of inquiry related to alternatives to guardianship, the youth initiatives of Centers for Independent Living, and systemic barriers to employment for youth with disabilities.

Joe Michener

Director of Employment Services Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL)
Joe Michener is the Director of Employment Services at LVCIL, where he provides operations and fiscal oversight for several of LVCIL’s Transition and Employment programs. Joe has worked in vocational support services for more than 20 years, and he has been involved in developing, implementing, and growing successful grant and fee-for-service programs in partnership with various entities, such as the Department of Labor (including Vocational Rehabilitation) and the Department of Human Services, as well as private businesses. He has created and facilitated local and national training seminars and provided consulting on various topics, including program development, vocational services and best practices, services for youth in transition, the Independent Living Philosophy, Person-Centered Planning, funding procurement, etc. Joe holds a Master’s Degree in Communications from New York University.

Lindsey Miller

Pre-ETS Coordinator Able South Carolina
As the Pre-ETS Coordinator, Lindsay works with schools across the state and facilitates courses, where students learn important skills such as building independent living, self-advocacy, and work readiness skills. Lindsay Miller received her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in 2018. Prior to her work with Able South Carolina, Lindsay taught students in Montessori classrooms and has worked with senior citizens in the Columbia area.

Makenzie Allison

Faculty Specialist University of Maryland’s Center for Transition and Career Innovation (CTCI)
As a Faculty Specialist at the University of Maryland’s Center for Transition and Career Innovation(CTCI), Makenzie leads technical assistance and training activities on model demonstration projects to promote career awareness and competitive integrated employment opportunities for children and youth with disabilities. She has devoted her career to disability advocacy, increasing access, and challenging systemic barriers through her work as a transition counselor with Vocational Rehabilitation, an education advocate for a Center for Independent Living, and experience in direct support and residential services which are all further enriched through her studies as a Ph.D. candidate in organizational leadership and her master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.

Troy Hall

Director of Youth Transition Programs Able South Carolina
As Director of Youth Transition Programs, Troy directs Able SC’s transition programs, advocates for equitable and evidence-based education and transition services, and establishes collaborative community relationships to ensure quality outcomes with transition-age consumers. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with his Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.