22 at 20:
A non-traditional Transition story
SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE!
Here’s what to do
DON’T
DO
Stop listening!
Say “I couldn’t do that, there are too many obstacles”
Say “this has nothing to do with me or my kid”
Keep an open mind
Pick what makes sense
Commit to at least one takeaway
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
A GLIMPSE AT NICKY
20 years old
Behavioral aggressions began at age 5
Maintained in public school setting through
grade 6, spent one year in a day program
Hospitalized for 9 months at age 15 waiting for a
residential placement
Placed in a restrictive setting for 5 years
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
A CRITICAL DECISION
Nicky was not progressing
We were nearing 22 quickly
Placement was not going to provide the
necessary tools for successful prep for 22
Without significant planning and skill
building, Nicky would be in crisis at 22
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
THE APPROACH
Met with Phil Campbell, our new Director of
Pupil Services…
“Why not start 22 at 20?”
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
THE DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Went to observe Nicky in the placement
Advised the Superintendent, set up expectations for APS
Created open and regular communication with family
Independent evaluation results showed concern
Commitment to create a new set of supports, with
an emphasis toward transition to adult life
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
OK, SO NOW WHAT?
(AND WHO, AND WHERE, AND HOW, AND WHEN)
Assessing our options:
DAY PROGRAM
Researched local agencies
asked families, called for tours
Committed to HMEA (www.hmea.org)
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
Traditional group home
SHARED LIVING??!! - fortuitous meeting with Nonotuck President
Committed to Nonotuck Resource Associates (www.nonotuck.com)
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
PROVIDER’S PERSPECTIVES
John Struth
Nonotuck Resource Associates
Collaboration & Support
Working with a full team
Agency values
Developing personalized service plan
Connecting through relationships
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
PROVIDER’S PERSPECTIVES
Michael Moloney
HMEA
Day Services & Behavioral Supports
Collaborative Thinking
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
FORMULATING THE PLAN
Family and Director agreed on who should be invited
Director’s role to facilitate the discussion (not manage)
set agendas, maintain IEP paperwork
Shared the independent evaluation & recommendations
Created a timeline (back-chaining)
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
Original TIMELINE
Timeline presented during kickoff meeting on 5.30.2012
Get To Know Me
/ Support
Assessment and
Planning
Identify and
Interview
Potential SLP /
Meet and Greet
Residential
Accommodations
and Adjustments
Move In
July-Aug
Aug-Sept
Sept-Oct
Identify and
Evaluate
Potential Day
Programs
Day Program
Accommodations
and Adjustments
Residential
June
Day Program
Get To Know Me
/ Support
Assessment and
Planning
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
Rock and Roll
Support Staff Interviews
SLP-Nicky
meeting
Actual TIMELINE
Parents-SLP
initial meeting
Evaluate Nicky
Get To Know Me
/ Support
Assessment and
Planning
Labor of Love
Weekend
House Identified
Restrained
Training
Complete
SLP Move-In
House
Accommodations
Complete
House Acquired
Nicky Move-In
Identify and
Interview
Potential SLP /
Meet and Greet
Residential
Accommodations
and Adjustments
Move In
July-Aug
Aug-Sept
Sept-Oct
Identify and
Evaluate
Potential Day
Programs
Day Program
Accommodations
and Adjustments
Rock and Roll
Residential
June
Day Program
Get To Know Me
/ Support
Assessment and
Planning
Unified
Behavioral Plan
Evaluate Nicky
Monthly Team Sync Up
Day Program
Defined
Final Readiness
Meeting
Start Day
Program
SO HOW’S NICKY DOING NOW?
Educational (day)
Setting:
55% reduction in
aggressive behaviors
70% reduction in
self abusive behavior
Spends 50-70% of each
week in the community
SO HOW’S NICKY DOING NOW?
Residential Setting:
71% decrease in
aggressive behaviors
90% reduction in
self abusive behaviors
Verbal language increasing
Use of picture exchange
replacing aggression to
communicate
Visiting community daily
TAKEAWAYS
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
TAKEAWAYS
Mike
(Especially with residential services), the provider relationship can be
a VERY long term relationship (decades; a lifetime) so
spend lots o
well before Turning 22
spend lots of time getting to kn
culture of the organization
Can you meet with the Exe
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
TAKEAWAYS
John
Shared Living was not created solely for the “high functioning”
Population
The idea of dignified living is not just for those who are
pre-defined as “successful”
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
TAKEAWAYS
Phil
Building & Maintaining a TRUST relationship
Connect with colleagues and resources
Facilitate, don’t manage
Communicate with Superintendent
24.7% decrease in cost to the school system!
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
TAKEAWAYS
Alex & Cheryl
We spent a lot of time meeting people, being involved in the community,
listening to the experiences of others – paid off in “connections”
Asked others who know Nicky well, what they thought
Back-chain planning
Focus only forward – did not burden team with old stories, emotions to
dominate meetings
Turned our mindset from “educational goals” to practical skill building
Gathered the team and allowed them to do what they do
Removed the assumption that we ALWAYS know best
Maintaining respect for the relationship between SLP & Nicky
Asked Nonotuck not to put us at the top of the emergency list
Now able to focus on improving quality of home visits for first time!
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story
They need us, and
they love us
unconditionally.
and show them that the
value of
their life transcends any
limitation
set before us.
How can we expect to
come together to affect
change at the system level
and make the process
more effective?
PANELISTS
Cheryl Chan
Nicky’s Mom, Agent of Change
774-260-2426
successfultransitions@gmail.com
Phil Campbell
Director of Pupil Services,
Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools
ppine@outlook.com
Mike Moloney
President/CEO,
HMEA, Inc.
mmoloney@hmea.org
John Struth
Clinical Director,
Nonotuck Resource Associates
jstruth@nonotuck.com
LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
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• http://www.successfultransitions.org
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• http://slideshare.com/cherylryanchan
22 at 20: A non-traditional Transition Story