How to Create the Ultimate Transition Dream Team
Presenters: Nancy Nimmo M.Ed.
Director of Special Needs Initiative
Deborah Yorko M.Ed.Special Education Coordinator
Define the concepts of an interagency team ◦ Collaboration◦ Interagency◦ Team
Guidelines for developing an interagency collaborative team◦ Forming
Choosing stakeholders◦ Storming
Brainstorming local strengths and weaknesses◦ Norming
Developing shared team purpose Design action plans
◦ Performing Implementation
Goals & Objectives
A relationship that includes communication of mutual goals
Shared roles and responsibilitiesCollective authority and accountability for success
Sharing of resources and rewards
Collaboration
Defined group of individuals representing multiple and diverse agencies who come together and commit themselves to teaching, learning and working with each other across traditional organizational boundaries to better serve students with disabilities.
Interangency
Clearly defined team roles Unified direction Effective working relationships Collaborative commitment Safe supportive environment Results driven Competent members External supports Strong leadership
Team
Four Stages◦Forming◦Storming◦Norming◦Performing
Guidelines for Team Formation
Forming◦ Initiate a team◦ Define needs to be addressed◦ Who will the team impact◦ Geographical area the team will impact◦ Define stakeholders to serve◦ One brainstorming meeting◦ One follow up meeting◦ Confirmed team membership
Stage One
Storming◦ Develop beliefs & values◦ Develop mission statement◦ Conduct needs assessment in community◦ Redefine target needs◦ Cultivate team goals◦ Written description of membership roles◦ Determine meeting schedule◦ Develop action plan◦ Address communication skills and conflict
resolution skills
Stage Two
Norming◦ Systematically implementing and revising the
action plan◦ Focus on outcomes◦ Revise policy and procedures as needed◦ Ongoing evaluation of team effectiveness
Stage Three
Performing◦ Continually ask “are we serving our purpose?” ◦ Make changes accordingly◦ Don’t be afraid to expand your efforts
Stage Four
Develop an agenda Ask for agenda additions Set time limits Take meeting minutes Follow meeting ground rules Make sure action was followed Use appropriate communication skills Follow agreed upon format Schedule next meeting
Checklist of Meeting Effectiveness
Medina Special Students Transition Action Team (MSSTAT) Established in 2003 Current Members
◦ Transition Specialists◦ Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services◦ Goodwill Industries◦ Windfall Industries◦ Medina Creative Housing◦ Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities◦ Ford Dealership◦ Parents of students with special needs◦ Special Education Directors◦ Special Education Coordinator◦ Licensed Social Worker
What a real team looks like….
MSSTAT Website
Rusch,F.R., Chadsey J.G. 1998. Beyond High School Transition from School to Work, Wadsworth Publishing Co. Boston.
Kent State University Medina Special Students Transition Action
Team www.medina-esc.org
Resources
Questions?