2024 Transition Conference
Please join BLaST IU17 and the Pennsylvania College of Technology as we present the annual 2024 Transition Conference. We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
Contact
- Disability and Access Resources
- Bush Campus Center, Rm. 202
570.320.5225 VP: 570.279.4592 - dar@pct.edu
About the conference
This event is open to Special Education High School students in grades 10-12 as well as parents, guardians, and other interested parties residing in Bradford, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties. We will be providing speakers and breakout sessions on the following pathways: Postsecondary Education and Training, Employment, and Community Engagement.
8:15 AM - 2:15 PM
October
18
Registration
Registration is closed
Plan ahead by exploring the Sessions and Pathways below before registering.
Schedule & Transition Pathways
Choose the transition pathway that's right for you!
Overall Conference Schedule
8:15 - 8:45 AMCheck-In
8:45 - 8:55 AMWelcome
9 - 9:30 AMBlock 1Choose a pathway to view session options
9:40 - 10:10 AMBlock 2Choose a pathway to view session options
10:20 - 10:50 AMBlock 3Choose a pathway to view session options
11 - 11:45 AMLunch/VendorGroup 1: Lunch/Group 2: Vendor Space
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Lunch/VendorGroup 2: Lunch/Group 1: Vendor Space
12:40 - 1:25 PMKeynote Speaker
1:30 - 2 PMStudent/Parent Panels
2 - 2:15 PMSurvey Collection and Closing
Dr. Kerry Magro (Mah-grow) Ed.D. was nonspeaking until 2.5, diagnosed with autism at 4 and didn’t speak in complete sentences until 7 years old. Today as an adult he is an award-winning autistic professional speaker, best-selling author and autism consultant to the HBO series Mrs. Fletcher and the latest season of Netflix’s Emmy-Award Winning Series ‘Love on the Spectrum U.S.’
Dr. Kerry Magro
2024 Transition Conference Keynote Speaker
Vendor Space
Explore the variety of services, resources, and opportunities available at our conference Vendor Space! Each participant will select a designated block to visit the Vendor Space during registration.
Assisting people with intellectual disabilities to acquire, maintain, and improve the skills necessary to live in their community. General areas of focus may include self-care, home management, participation in community functions, use of community resources and more.
Aktion Club is the one and only service club for adults with disabilities. Clubs are formed at or with various organizations that support individuals with disabilities, as well as other community programs. These caring adults develop confidence and character as they take on leadership roles in their clubs and direct service projects. Members gain a sense of purpose and personal satisfaction as they serve their communities, help others, and discover their own talents.
Proud sponsor of this year's Transition Conference, Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak is an elder care and special needs law firm offering quality representation to clients throughout Pennsylvania to achieve peace of mind by planning ahead for their second half of life offering the following services: Estate & Long-Term Care planning, Nursing Home Medicaid planning, Alzheimer & Dementia planning, Elder Care Navigation, Business Succession planning, Wealth Protection & Legacy planning, Guardianship & Special Needs planning, Retirement & Tax planning, Veterans Benefits planning and Estate Administration & Probate.
The largest free residential education and job training program for young adults ages 16–24. We connect you with the skills and education you need to get the career you want!
Offering Pre Employment Transition services to support students in establishing and strengthening work readiness skills.
North Central Sight Services provides support to individuals with blindness or visual impairments through a variety of programs tailored to the goal of continued independence.
BLaST IU 17's BRIDGE Program is designed to help older students connect with others, foster independence, hone their interests, and gain valuable work experience before graduating. This innovative program includes both direct instruction within a classroom and practical work experience at local job sites. In our program located at Lycoming College, students have access to life skills instruction, academic courses, and electives for part of their school day.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. We will be here to answer questions about our Admissions process, majors, and more!
Providing the Bridges to the Future program, helping school-aged youth determine where their interests lie as they work towards their goals for after graduation. There are many beneficial activities available such as job shadows, paid internships, and a camp about STEM careers where you get money for participating!
Disability and Access Resources at Penn College encourages qualified students with disabilities to fully participate in all college programs, activities and services. Students with disabilities can rely on the support of Disability and Access Resources to determine and develop plans for reasonable accommodations, academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids and services that promote access.
Our Lycoming-Clinton Intellectual Disabilities/Autism Program provides a variety of services to assist individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and/or Autism, and their families, to live and work in their home communities.
Provides a variety of services in your own community utilizing your individual strengths. We would like to help you build on your talents to help you attain the future that you desire!
Serving individuals ages 14-24 throughout Bradford and Sullivan counties, our concentration is on career and educational development, work readiness training, and work experience placements.
Human services agency that provide services to people with a disability. Employment services support people in obtaining and maintaining employment.
Empowering people with all disabilities by providing: Resources, Options, and Disability-related Services needed to Obtain individual Freedom in their lives.
Williamsport's premiere Community Theatre for the past 45 years, we believe everyone belongs on stage, including YOU! We offer The Penguin Project and Spotlight Program, productions specifically designed for artists with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and other neurological disorders.
Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Act program helps people with disabilities explore the tools and technology they need to be independent for school, work, or life in the community.
Our mission is to provide students with disabilities a variety of work-based learning experiences that will allow them develop into independent, well-skilled employees who are prepared to join the work-force.
Providing vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain employment.
Providing Community Participation Supports, Self Directed Living, Residential and Life Sharing Programs in Clinton and Lycoming Counties.
Therapeutic program using drum therapy to provide an engaging, uplifting, and entertaining experiences for students and adults!
A statewide nonprofit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians get assistive technology making it possible to live independently, go to work and school, communicate, play, and be active in their communities. This technology can be life-changing; our goal is to help people get it, working one-on-one to identify and navigate funding resources for these devices.
The Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hiram G. Andrews Center, or CTI at HGAC, located in Johnstown, PA, conducts a comprehensive program of services featuring pre-employment transition services, vocational evaluation, post-secondary education training programs, career exploration, counseling, and independent living skills.
At PPL Electric Utilities, our top priority is delivering safe and reliable electric service to our more than 1.5 million customers. And we stand with our communities in times of need. Each year, we empower people and initiatives across our territory through volunteerism and direct investments in organizations that support education, sustainability, and vitality. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer in eastern and central Pennsylvania, and a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL).
Transition Conference Sponsors
Special thanks to all of our sponsors to making this year’s transition conference possible.
PPL
Steinbacher, Goodall, & Yurchak
The Kline Family
Postsecondary Education and Training Sessions
Students interested in additional education or training
- indicates a session geared toward parents/guardians only
- indicates a session geared toward students only
| OVR 101 | Join us for an informational session on the Pre-Employment Transition Services offered by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). |
|---|---|
| Financial Aid Basics | Learn how to apply for financial aid and understand the different types of financial aid that may be available to you. |
| Financial Literacy for College Students | Understand the difference between credit/debit cards, learn how to save money, and understand the topics of overspending, budgeting, and how identity theft can occur. |
| Opportunities in Today's Military | An overview of the employment, career opportunities, and benefits available by serving in any of the United States Military branches, including non-military contractors. |
| ADA: Accommodations in the Workplace | This session helps to define what the Americans with Disabilities Act is and how it's applied in the workplace. It will review who qualifies, discuss disclosing and requesting accommodations, what a reasonable accommodation is and the interactive process. |
| Career Exploration-Planning Your Future | Students will discuss the importance of finding the right career direction by a guided exploration and identify ways they can explore careers independently. |
| Apprenticeship as a Career Path | This session will explain Apprenticeship and how the "learn while you earn" model puts a person on a path to success in a new career. |
| PA ABLE: Financial Freedom for People w/ Disabilities | ABLE was enacted by Congress in 2014 to increase financial independence and improve quality of life while easing financial hardship faced by many individuals with disabilities and their families. A Pennsylvania Treasury spokesperson will discuss details of the program. |
| Campus Tours | Join us for a fun and interactive a tour of the Penn College campus! |
| Penn College Admissions - Everything You Need to Know | Get an overview of Penn College, the admissions process, and what our students are like. Bring your questions for an open Q&A at the end. |
| Resilience-C's: The 7 interrelated components that build Resiliency | The purpose of this session is to encourage and remind the students that they're great and that they already possess the components that makeup resiliency. We will lean into strengths to continue with a growth mindset, discovering how to leverage a supportive community that builds healthy connections. |
| #CollegePrep: Tips for Students with Disabilities | Obtain advice from College professionals on the differences in rights/responsibilities of students with disabilities from high school to college, the process to request accommodations/supports, and the importance of incorporating self-advocacy skills along the way! |
| Using Time Productively for School, Work and Life | If the traditional advice you've been given to help you manage your time has been less than helpful, please join us to learn some more non-traditional methods to get focused, stay on task and get things done. |
| Effective Study Skills for College | Preparing for AP and college exams requires more than just memorizing terms and definitions. Join us to learn more about critical thinking strategies to apply and analyze course material as well as study skills. This workshop is ideal for students preparing for college. |
| Sleep: Why You Need It & How to Get It | The amount of sleep we get each night affects how well we learn, manage emotions, compensate for disabilities, fight disease and more. Come learn more about this vital aspect of our daily lives and how to manage it better. |
| Hot Tub-Assistive Technology? | Assistive Technology (AT) is any device, service or home modification that helps someone to live independently, go to work and school, communicate, play, and be active in their communities. AT includes hand controls for a car or truck, an all-terrain wheelchair, an iPad, an adapted bicycle and more. Discover how to find the resources for getting the AT you want so you can work, play and live independently! |
| Supporters as Transition Partners | This session will aim to provide practical tips and guidance for parents and supporters of individuals considering postsecondary education. Participants will be able to identify tested strategies for balancing the needs of a student with the demands of a postsecondary environment. |
| PA CareerLink and Bridges to the Future | The Bridges program supports Transition-aged youth to determine where their interests lie helping toward their goals after graduation, be it work, college, the military, etc. Learn more about job shadows, paid internships, and a camp about STEM careers where you get money for participating! |
| Value of Volunteerism | Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about engaging in volunteerism - an exciting, growing, and enjoyable experience. Discover some of the benefits to volunteering include serving a cause, practicing ideals, working with people, and solving problems. |
| The Essentials of Building Relationships | Do you know the characteristics of healthy relationships and how to identify issues in relationships? Find out these answers along with how to manage conflict and communicate in constructive ways. |
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 |
|---|---|---|
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Employment Sessions
Students interested in going straight to the workforce
- indicates a session geared toward parents/guardians only
- indicates a session geared toward students only
| Supporting Life's Journey: Hope Enterprises | Join us for an enlightening presentation where we will explore how our comprehensive services can support throughout all stages of life. From post-high school transitions to the evolving needs that come with aging, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of those we serve through tailored programs designed to foster independence, personal growth, and well-being. |
|---|---|
| OVR 101 | Join us for an informational session on the Pre-Employment Transition Services offered by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). |
| Keep it Simple | A variety of engaging topics for individuals looking/preparing for what's next in life while demonstrating these ideals through percussion. |
| Opportunities in Today's Military | An overview of the employment, career opportunities, and benefits available by serving in any of the United States Military branches, including non-military contractors. |
| ADA: Accommodations in the Workplace | This session helps to define what the Americans with Disabilities Act is and how it's applied in the workplace. It will review who qualifies, discuss disclosing and requesting accommodations, what a reasonable accommodation is and the interactive process. |
| Career Exploration-Planning Your Future | Students will discuss the importance of finding the right career direction by a guided exploration and identify ways they can explore careers independently. |
| PA ABLE: Financial Freedom for People w/ Disabilities | ABLE was enacted by Congress in 2014 to increase financial independence and improve quality of life while easing financial hardship faced by many individuals with disabilities and their families. A Pennsylvania Treasury spokesperson will discuss details of the program. |
| Resilience-C's: The 7 interrelated components that build Resiliency | The purpose of this session is to encourage and remind the students that they're great and that they already possess the components that makeup resiliency. We will lean into strengths to continue with a growth mindset, discovering how to leverage a supportive community that builds healthy connections. |
| MY Works | Participants will discuss how the MY Works Program can help foster job skills through support from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. |
| Using Time Productively for School, Work and Life | If the traditional advice you've been given to help you manage your time has been less than helpful, please join us to learn some more non-traditional methods to get focused, stay on task and get things done. |
| Sleep: Why You Need It & How to Get It | The amount of sleep we get each night affects how well we learn, manage emotions, compensate for disabilities, fight disease and more. Come learn more about this vital aspect of our daily lives and how to manage it better. |
| Independent Living after High School | During this session, you will learn about different Resources, Options, And Disability-related Services available to you from Roads to Freedom, one of 17 Centers for Independent Living in Pennsylvania. |
| Hot Tub-Assistive Technology? | Assistive Technology (AT) is any device, service or home modification that helps someone to live independently, go to work and school, communicate, play, and be active in their communities. AT includes hand controls for a car or truck, an all-terrain wheelchair, an iPad, an adapted bicycle and more. Discover how to find the resources for getting the AT you want so you can work, play and live independently! |
| PA CareerLink and Bridges to the Future | The Bridges program supports Transition-aged youth to determine where their interests lie helping toward their goals after graduation, be it work, college, the military, etc. Learn more about job shadows, paid internships, and a camp about STEM careers where you get money for participating! |
| Value of Volunteerism | Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about engaging in volunteerism - an exciting, growing, and enjoyable experience. Discover some of the benefits to volunteering include serving a cause, practicing ideals, working with people, and solving problems. |
| The Essentials of Building Relationships | Do you know the characteristics of healthy relationships and how to identify issues in relationships? Find out these answers along with how to manage conflict and communicate in constructive ways. |
| Apprenticeship as a Career Path | This session will explain Apprenticeship and how the "learn while you earn" model puts a person on a path to success in a new career. |
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Community Engagement Sessions
Students interested in engaging within their community
- indicates a session geared toward parents/guardians only
- indicates a session geared toward students only
| Supporting Life's Journey: Hope Enterprises | Join us for an enlightening presentation where we will explore how our comprehensive services can support throughout all stages of life. From post-high school transitions to the evolving needs that come with aging, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of those we serve through tailored programs designed to foster independence, personal growth, and well-being. |
|---|---|
| OVR 101 | Join us for an informational session on the Pre-Employment Transition Services offered by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). |
| Legal Concerns in Transitioning to Adulthood | Parents/guardians will learn about the legal tools an individual with special needs and their family have available, including essential estate planning documents such as: Power of Attorneys, Guardianships, Special Needs Trusts, Third-Party Trusts, and ABLE Accounts. SSI & SSDI and MAWD will also be discussed. |
| Keep it Simple | A variety of engaging topics for individuals looking/preparing for what's next in life while demonstrating these ideals through percussion. |
| ADAs and You | A discussion on the American with Disability act. How students can use this act once they are out of High School to obtain and maintain employment. What is a reasonable accommodation, when and how to ask for accommodations. |
| PA ABLE: Financial Freedom for People w/ Disabilities | ABLE was enacted by Congress in 2014 to increase financial independence and improve quality of life while easing financial hardship faced by many individuals with disabilities and their families. A Pennsylvania Treasury spokesperson will discuss details of the program. |
| Resilience-C's: The 7 interrelated components that build Resiliency | The purpose of this session is to encourage and remind the students that they're great and that they already possess the components that makeup resiliency. We will lean into strengths to continue with a growth mindset, discovering how to leverage a supportive community that builds healthy connections. |
| MY Works | Participants will discuss how the MY Works Program can help foster job skills through support from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. |
| Skills Summer Work Program | Join us as we discuss the Skills Summer Work Program as we learn about the schedule, curriculum, activities and what the students will learn through this experience. Open to residents in Lycoming County. |
| Using Time Productively for School, Work and Life | If the traditional advice you've been given to help you manage your time has been less than helpful, please join us to learn some more non-traditional methods to get focused, stay on task and get things done. |
| Sleep: Why You Need It & How to Get It | The amount of sleep we get each night affects how well we learn, manage emotions, compensate for disabilities, fight disease and more. Come learn more about this vital aspect of our daily lives and how to manage it better. |
| Independent Living after High School | During this session, you will learn about different Resources, Options, And Disability-related Services available to you from Roads to Freedom, one of 17 Centers for Independent Living in Pennsylvania. |
| Your Rights and Less Restrictive Alternatives to Guardianship | This session will go over your decision-making rights as a person with a disability and lesser restrictive alternatives available to prevent/protect against guardianship. The Presenters will go over guardianship concerns, highlight guardianship changes with the recently enacted PA Act 61, and how it affects you. |
| Hot Tub-Assistive Technology? | Assistive Technology (AT) is any device, service or home modification that helps someone to live independently, go to work and school, communicate, play, and be active in their communities. AT includes hand controls for a car or truck, an all-terrain wheelchair, an iPad, an adapted bicycle and more. Discover how to find the resources for getting the AT you want so you can work, play and live independently! |
| Navigating the System | Navigating the Intellectual and Developmental Disability system for Transition age students can be a confusing process. This session will provide parents/guardians insight and answers on how to do so successfully. |
| Becoming a Superstar – Featuring Drums Alive | Get hands on and get your body moving with a sample Superstars class featuring the Drums Alive curriculum. Designed especially for individuals with special needs, the class is an opportunity to make friends and have fun! |
| PA CareerLink and Bridges to the Future | The Bridges program supports Transition-aged youth to determine where their interests lie helping toward their goals after graduation, be it work, college, the military, etc. Learn more about job shadows, paid internships, and a camp about STEM careers where you get money for participating! |
| BRIDGE Program | BLaST IU 17's BRIDGE Program is designed to help older students connect with others, foster independence, hone their interests, and gain valuable work experience before graduating. This innovative program includes both direct instruction within a classroom and practical work experience at local job sites. In our program located at Lycoming College, students have access to life skills instruction, academic courses, and electives for part of their school day. Join us to learn more! |
| Value of Volunteerism | Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about engaging in volunteerism - an exciting, growing, and enjoyable experience. Discover some of the benefits to volunteering include serving a cause, practicing ideals, working with people, and solving problems. |
| Block 1 | Block 2 | Block 3 |
|---|---|---|
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