Unpacking the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
This session will provide information regarding the legal requirements and tenants of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and the Bureau of Special Education (BSE). In addition, a detailed plan for implementation will be introduced.
Presenters:
Shannon Austin and Kim Robinson (OVR)
Carole Clancy (BSE)
Everett Deibler and Lilly Sellers (PYLN)
Melissa Diehl (George Washington University)
Cindy Duch (PEAL)
Jacki Lyster and Hillary Mangis (PaTTAN)
Michael Stoehr (NTACT-C)
April 21, 2021 (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
Engaging Stakeholders
During this session, presenters will share strategies for engaging stakeholders in the transition planning process. Information
regarding strategies for IEP participation, including family engagement, student-led IEPs, and agency involvement will be presented. Resources for including OVR in the IEP planning process and planning for transition services will be discussed.
Presenters:
Everett Deibler (PYLN)
Cindy Duch (PEAL)
Jacki Lyster and Hillary Mangis (PaTTAN)
Kim Robinson (OVR)
May 13, 2021 (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
Strategies for Aligning Efforts
During this session, participants will learn strategies to align efforts
utilizing the PA Career Education and Work Standards and Pre-Employment Transition Services (PreETS) with IDEA transition requirements.
Presenters:
Everett Deibler (PYLN)
Cindy Duch (PEAL)
Jacki Lyster and Hillary Mangis (PaTTAN)
Kaitlin Salvati (OVR)
Target Audience:
Special Education Teachers, Special Education Administrators, Transition Coordinators, School Counselors, OVR Administrators, OVR Counselors, Family/Caregivers, Students, Agency Staff
Registration Information:
Please register online by visiting the PaTTAN website at www.pattan.net.
For questions regarding registration, contact:
Pittsburgh: Paula Quinn, pquinn@pattanpgh.net
For questions regarding content, contact:
Pittsburgh: Hillary Mangis, hmangis@pattanpgh.net
Credits: Act 48 Clock Hours, CRCC
Presenters
Shannon Austin, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Shannon currently serves as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and brings over twenty years of experience in human resource management, workforce development, and vocational rehabilitation. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Executive Director includes: Bureau Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS), Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), Bureau Central Operations (BCO), Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC) and Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (ODHH).
Carole Clancy, Bureau of Special Education
Carole Clancy is the Bureau of Special Education Director, with over 25 years of experience in special education. Prior to joining the Bureau, Ms. Clancy served as Director of Pupil Services for the Solanco School District, as Director of Special Education at Oxford Area School District, and as the Supervising Coordinator of Special Education Services for the School District of Lancaster.
Everett Deiber, Lehigh Carbon Community College
Everett Deibler is currently a Learning Specialist at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) where he coordinates college-wide accessibility efforts and supports the college’s inclusive higher education initiative (SEED Program). Before joining LCCC, Everett spent the last decade supporting thousands of people with disabilities in exploring their self-advocacy, leadership, employment, and independent living goals with various organizations across Pennsylvania, including the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), LVCIL, and the Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN).
Melissa Diehl, George Washington University Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education
Melissa Diehl has over 25 years of experience and expertise working in the State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and as a National Technical Assistance and Continuing Education provider. Melissa currently works for the George Washington University Center for Rehabilitation Counseling Research and Education (CRCRE) as the GW team’s project lead for the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C). Melissa and her team provide consultation, training, and technical assistance to State VR agencies and their Stakeholders as subject matter experts in pre-employment transition services and VR transition services.
Cindy Duch, Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership Center
Cindy is the Director of Parent Advising for the PEAL Center. In addition to her work at the PEAL Center, Cindy is the current vice-chairperson for the Local Task Force 3 (LTF3) for the Right to Education in Allegheny County. Cindy also serves the disability community as a member of the PA Rehabilitation Council and chairperson of the Transition/IDEA Committee.
She is a Commissioner on the PA Employment First Oversight Commission. Cindy also serves as a peer monitor assisting the PA Department of Education in monitoring the Special Education Departments of School Districts in Pennsylvania.
Jacki Lyster, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network
Jacki Lyster is an Educational Consultant at PaTTAN East with over 30 years of educational experience. She supports Leadership and Secondary Transition initiatives and is the Co-Lead for the State Personnel Development Grant, P2G, in the PaTTAN East office. Through her involvement supporting educational leaders, teachers and families, she has developed a unique expertise in creating interactive learning experiences.
Hillary Mangis, Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network
Hillary Mangis is an Educational Consultant at PaTTAN Pittsburgh, where she co-leads the Secondary Transition initiative for the state. She also serves on the School Psychology, AACHIEVE and Intensive interagency initiatives. A graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, Hillary began graduate studies at Duquesne University, where she earned her doctorate in school psychology in 2009.
Kim Robinson, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Kim Robinson is the Transition and Section 511 Division Chief in the OVR Bureau of Central Operations and has worked for the PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for almost 15 years, beginning as a Transition Counselor in Pittsburgh. Kim received a Bachelors’ degree in Psychology from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and Masters’ degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from West Virginia University.
Kaitlin Salvati, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Kaitlin Salvati currently works as a Rehabilitation Specialist with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. She received her Masters’ degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh before starting at OVR as a Counselor. Her caseload focused on transition-aged students and included work on several specialty transition projects within the agency. In 2016, Kaitlin started in her new role as a Rehabilitation Specialist with a focus on the policy, procedure, and implementation of Pre-Employment Transition Services to the Eastern region of PA.
Lilly Sellers, Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network
Lilly is a member of and an Intern for the PYLN governing board. She is a senior at Boiling Springs High School. Lilly is a young adult with a physical disability who uses a power wheelchair for mobility and is active in disability advocacy.
Michael Stoehr, National Technical Assistance Center on Transition
Michael Stoehr is a Knowledge Development and Technical Assistance Specialist with the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT). Michael assists states in collaborative interagency engagement to ensure the successful implementation of secondary transition legislation and effective practices. Prior to working at NTACT, Michael worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, as the statewide lead educational consultant for Secondary Transition at PaTTAN. He has worked in the field of special education for the past 33 years and has extensive experience in the areas of secondary transition, assessment, job analysis, and job coaching.