HRTW – OH CONTACT & ABSTRACT

PROBLEM:
In Hamilton County, Ohio, the transition of adolescents with special health care needs and/or disabilities to the adult world is not well coordinated. This is an urban county which contains the city of Cincinnati. Although many of the adolescents are involved in multiple public service systems, they do not have a comprehensive plan for transition that takes into consideration all their needs. The Cincinnati schools are facing typical urban problems of funding and student drop out. They are attempting to comply with the requirements of IDEA, but need further guidance in planning and implementation. Many adolescents leave school prematurely, further cutting themselves off from supportive services. There is evidence that youth who lack a parental advocate for their transition have very limited success.

PROJECT:
Four methodologies are used to develop transition services at the system level and at the level of individual students and their families: (1) development and presentation of a comprehensive life skills curriculum for transition for professionals, families and youth; (2) development of information and referral systems and products for transition resources; (3) transition coordination for youth with long term conditions Hamilton County and Cincinnati who are at high risk of drop out and unemployment; (4) support and facilitation of a transition network (Roundtable) in Southwest Ohio of a wide range of stockholders, and facilitation of interagency cooperation at the state level to improve the system of transition services.

EXPERIENCE IN FY 2000:
Twenty-three trainings were delivered to youth with special health needs in their school environment, with six sessions of a Teen Discussion group held at the programs offices. Seventy-seven parents participated in training activities. There were fourteen training session for professionals working in the field, collaboratively produced by 10 agencies. New training segments were developed and already established segments refined on the basis of input from trainees. The information and referral services distributed 7,300 copies of six different transition information brochures. Transition coordination services were provided to 107 new students. Of these, 68 participated in a health care screening, 39 received transition services and 26 received intensive transition coordination. Community planning and coordination services conducted by Career Connections included continued leadership of the Southwest Ohio Transition Roundtable, including participation with the County Board of MR/DD in developing a strategic plan. In collaboration with Cincinnati Public Schools, local rehabilitation agencies, the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and County MR/DD Board a new program for orthopediacally and multiply handicapped students was developed and delivered. The program participated with the Parent Information Center and the local Legal Aid Society in redesign effort of Cincinnati Public High Schools to better retain special education students and accommodate their transition needs.

KEY WORDS:
Adolescents with Disabilities; Children with Special Health Care Needs; Chronic Illnesses and Disabilities; Families; Health Professionals; Youth In Transition, Urban Youth.

[SUMMARY]

HRTW – OH Summary of Project Activities

Project: Lighthouse Youth Services, Career Connections for Students
Coordinator: Carol K. Igoe
State: Ohio

Year four of HRTW projects. Ytd = February 1, 2001 to May 31, 2001

1. How many adolescents with special health care needs/disabilities have received training and/or support to promote self-determination and/or leadership skills? 241 - new; T = 463

What types of training, support, or leadership skills were provided? Please be specific.

• Ongoing participation in health care training = 31students
• Participation in stress workshops = 31
• Ongoing participation in conflict resolution trainings = 19 students
• Benefits information workshop = 18 students
• Students presented at Roundtable Training: March and April = 8
• Job Fair = 100
• Life Skills training = 30
• Support for transition skill development = 12

• 1 out of 12 students had good transition skill at admission This increased to 8 students with good transition skill at the time of discharge.

• Transition Roundtable All About Medicaid Workshop = 23
• Transition Roundtable Post 18 New Education Models = 10
• Individual trainings for transition coordinators = 25
• Numbers for MIS improved skill = 8

• A total of 506 brochures, fact cards etcetera were mailed to families and professionals for further information.
• Families had contacts and strategies to access Medicaid and Post Secondary transition resources 506 - new; T = 763

3.How many health care professionals, teachers, vocational rehabilitation counselors and other human service professionals have received training/support related to planning and providing effective services/supports to adolescents with special health care needs and their families?

• Transition Task Force = 5 people at monthly meeting
• Focus Groups of Adult Service Agencies = 20
• Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) Special Work Groups = 30 people at monthly meeting
• CPS Teacher Transition Planning Groups 4 x monthly
• MRDD Strategic Planning Group 1 sp.
• Joint teachers and Mental Health Board Representative bi-monthly for student transition planning = 5
• Legal Aid Disability Work Group monthly = 15
• City of Cincinnati Youth Network for Employment and Training monthly meeting = 25
• Medical Home Workgroup – 4 x = 15
• Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati Community Listening Forum = 15
• South West Ohio Children Health Access Group monthly = 15
• Children’s Defense Fund Health Access = 6
• Community Forum on Public Transportation = 20
• Referrals for transition services from agencies = 19 + 29
• Team Leaders Students teams = 12 + 11 242 - new; T = 317

• Community Groups accessed monthly; relationships and information sharing are increased
• Roundtable and transition task force are meeting frequently to plan new Transition Collaborative Council

• Transition School group is developing resource directories for each high school.
• For community groups, increased commitment to include transition issues in planning and agendas.
• For Transition Task Force and Agency Focus Group: have begun process to create Transition Collaborative Council for SW Ohio

Out of 12 students opened for transition services 3 were employed. At the time of their discharge 7 students were employed. 7 -new; T= 12

• Unknown

5. How many are in a training program (actively preparing) for employment? 7 – new; T = 13
Describe the types of training and preparation.

• 1 student participated in Career Connections Job Club
• 1student participated in volunteer work
• 2 students participated in a job training/ work study program
• 1 student received support to find a part time job for the summer
• 1 student received a vocational assessment
• 1 completed an employment interest survey

• Client refused follow up with primary care physician at Children’s Hospital Medical Center until transition coordinator linked her to a support worker in the Appalachian community and secured family support for the client’s health care issues.

• Client received access to a dentist who serves adults and who accepts the clients Medicaid

• Medicaid = 10
• Private = 2

• Impact school restructuring Transition Teams; inclusive design for Cincinnati Public High Schools.
• ODH, in conjunction with MCHB Indication project, is beginning to plan statewide transition activities: survey, focus group, networking re date collection with other state departments.
• South West Ohio: Adult Agencies are forming collaborative with school districts, families, youth and advocates.

• 5 Adult Services Providers
• 4 Informal Community Supports
• 3 Children’s Services Providers
• 2 Health Care Provider (medical or mental)
• 2 Mentor
• 7 Parents
• 11 Students
• 4 Teacher
• 3 BVR/BSVI Vocational
• 1 Peer
• None

• Transition Collaborative Council, Impact on ODH Transition Indicators

• Awarded Grant from Johnson and Johnson Community Care Program to address health care transition for minority youth with special health care needs.
• Life Skills Training for Transition funded by city of Cincinnati for kids who “fall between the cracks”