Patrick Cadigan: 0:01

Welcome back. This is the Postsecondary Transition podcast where we have conversations around the ins and outs and everything in between of the transition process for families of students with disabilities. As always, I'm one of the hosts. My name is Patrick Cadigan, and as always, I have a co host. And who would that be?

Meghan Smallwood: 0:17

My name is Meghan Smallwood, and thanks for joining us.

Patrick Cadigan: 0:20

Thank you for joining us. All right, so just a heads up. Meghan and I are in the middle and this, you know, it's kind of one of those things that it's a constant cycle; we are in the middle of progress notes. So offline, we were having a conversation about what we would like to discuss, and Meghan actually threw out having a conversation around summer opportunities, essentially. So Meghan, did you want to, like, tell the listeners what you were thinking...

Meghan Smallwood: 0:49

Yeah, and I mean, it's kind of hard to think about summer looking out the window and seeing the snow that came this weekend, but and looking at summer camps for my own kids, but I know that it's going to sneak up on us. And I also know that a lot of students now, as you know, IEP season really starts taking off with annuals, our es y meetings, or extended school year meetings are happening, and conversations are occurring about, you know what the plan is with that for the summer, and I know many of the IEP teams have to go through the list of questions to see if students going to qualify for those four short weeks of Yes. Why? So I think it's important that we kind of discuss other options as well, because it's it's great that Yes. Why is offered? Obviously, it maintains skills. It's been acquired over the year. If a student's having breakout, breakthrough skills that have just occurred, we want to continue pursuing them. But I think it is good to know and lift up what else could be an option for the summer. I'm sure Patrick, you hear from families too, you know, usually starting around the winter time. Well, my student really likes working. I would really like for them to work or volunteer this summer. What can they do? Or, you know, what, what camps exist? What kind of, you know, programs are there that they can do? Because also, if they did, yes, why that's only four short weeks, you know, there's still a rest of the summer. So I think the first thing I did want to mention is, remember that they're teenagers. They are entitled to a break too. You know, I hear families who have students qualify for es y and they decline because they're like, now we're gonna go on vacation. And I'm like, You know what that might be more beneficial than ESY could be for them, because it gives them a chance to recharge, gives them a chance to be with family, just to be out in the community. So don't pass up an opportunity to take them on a good trip and be out and about, you know, over ESY.

Patrick Cadigan: 2:50

There was, I remember, I knew that I had crossed a threshold for my time in the system when, when I first, you know, became a teacher and was going through the years, and you know, always, yes, why was like, well, that's just something you do. Like you go and you have that conversation. And again, for anybody, just to be clear, when we say es y, we're this is not like some special program that exists within our school system, es y summer school. Like, just, it's another way of saying summer school, but I would always throw it out, like, oh yeah, the student they need to go to, guess why it's gonna, you know, prep them for the following year, for the coming year. Like, you know, this is a really good thing. But then I was having a conversation probably about four, maybe five years into my teaching career with one of my parents and we were having this conversation, and the parent was sharing with me all of the cool things that they were thinking about for my student at the time. And I just thought so the in the again, the conversation was es y or no es y, and at the end of the day, I said, You know what? Just go, just forget it. Just go do all this stuff that you're talking about, because the student is going to get so much more from those experiences than that four weeks. Not to say that that four weeks cannot be valuable for some students, but...

Meghan Smallwood: 4:21

And again, it's individualized. So I think what happened, I agree with you, like it was always ESY was one of those things we have to recommend, and they should qualify and they should go, especially being a life skills teacher, I think in my mind, I kind of expected all my students would go. So it was always shocking when I'd hear a student that was like, meh, we're gonna do something else. But let's really think about those students, especially ages 18 to 21 is that really what they need? You know, when a good portion of their day might be already being spent down the community, if they're part of the work program working on vocational skills, and what if the student is showing you or telling you that they're. More interested in working than sitting in the classroom, you know, going over academic skills. We just want to make sure you're all aware that there are options out there, and it may take a little exploring or researching on your end, and some conversations with school staff if you have a transition specialist or a case manager other parents. But there are opportunities exist outside of ESY. So just to name a few, give your your you know, put your brain in gear. Obviously, for those that it's appropriate for DORS, the Division of Rehabilitation Services, is a big one to check in with, especially if you have an open Pre-ETS or VR case. I know conversations usually start early, like now about the summer vocational experiences, but it is a big area that they will support many of their students with. So if you have a DORS counselor start that conversation, mention that you might be interested in it, so they get on that list and can be supported over the summer.

Patrick Cadigan: 5:56

This past school year was the first year where there was a student that I was working with where that was their option, when we were sitting in the IEP meeting and we were having the discussion around es, why mom threw out there? No, this is not what I'm interested in doing, because we have been in discussion with our counselor, and so over the summer, there is going to be a work study opportunity. That's what we're going to go do. And I was like, "Okay, great!"

Meghan Smallwood: 6:24

Yeah, it's awesome to hear. And the best part, I think, is when we come back in August and we can hear feedback about where they went and what they did and did they like it or not. I mean, it's just more data to collect on those strengths and interests for career areas. So it's definitely something to explore again, if it's appropriate, not appropriate for everybody, but it's something to consider. This is county specific. I'm not sure what goes on outside of ours, but I know in our county there's a summer youth and plan program that exists with the government, and I know our Workforce Development Center provides support in setting it up, and it's open to all students, but of course, also our students with disabilities, so again, another great opportunity where they could be out working, exploring career areas of interest, making connections. So something to look into. It might be listed on the county government website or the workforce, but definitely something to consider.

Patrick Cadigan: 7:22

One thing that I will throw out about that, and this is something that literally happened to me within the last two weeks, over for this school year, I am working with a student who has communicated many, many times that they would like to work at an airport. And I heard what the student was saying. And I was like, I am not aware of any opportunities for that to happen, not saying that it can't happen, but let's just you know. So it was something that I put in the back of my mind, like, Okay, I know that this student wants to do this. Then I get an email, and it was from someone in our system who was talking with this student, and the student relayed to them that they wanted to work at the airport. And the person that they were speaking with was like, Oh, I actually had heard about this, an opportunity like this. I haven't heard about it for a couple of years. So they forwarded me the information. Said, you might want to look into this. And I did, and the person responded back and was like, Yes, this is still a thing. It is an opportunity for someone with disabilities to work at a local airport doing, you know, some type of work. I was just like, What are the chances? So the moral of the story is, always keep your ears open, because you never know where an opportunity might present itself.

Meghan Smallwood: 8:44

And it's funny, because I was actually involved in that case. I provided the flyer to that person that sent it to you. Because I was like, Oh...

Patrick Cadigan: 8:51

Well, that may or may not be one of the reasons why I brought it up. But anyway.

Meghan Smallwood: 8:55

I was like, as soon as you said airport, I'm like, their opportunities. And, yeah, that's pretty cool.

Patrick Cadigan: 9:01

Yep. So, and then the person the contact again, this was a flier that was several years old, and so I sent an email, kind of on a wish-and-a-prayer, but within 20 minutes, the person responded back and said, "Yes, this is a thing. And tell me about your student."

Meghan Smallwood: 9:19

Awesome. Well, that makes me happy to hear, because I remember hearing about the program, and I'm like, oh, and I'm like, oh, I need it's very niche, niche, and like, I need that right student...

Patrick Cadigan: 9:27

...very.

Meghan Smallwood: 9:27

...but it's good to know one of those to keep in mind that it exists.

Patrick Cadigan: 9:31

Very...

Meghan Smallwood: 9:31

Awesome.

Patrick Cadigan: 9:32

...very, very niche. So yeah, again, moral the story. Always keep your ears open, because you never know where an opportunity is going to come from.

Meghan Smallwood: 9:44

And always put it out there to people, because Awesome. Okay, another big one, and this could be for anybody you know, even if you're not appropriate for DORS, you never know who might have the resource that is the right match.

Patrick Cadigan: 9:47

Yes, very much so. you don't have any other services, volunteering in the community. I mean, I did it when I was a teenager. Of course it would have led to be paid, but it was all I could you. Get at the time. So I was happy to be out and about working. But think about the places in your community that local farms, churches, libraries, any organization that you have volunteer sign ups for. It's a great chance for your student to get out there, practice some skills, make connections. If they are part of the work program at school, you might be able to ask their teacher if there's any that they know of or that they have worked with throughout the year. But thinking long term, especially for those individuals and families who might be looking at self directed services down the road, it's a great chance to like almost start a trial run. You know, you're making the contact with an organization, you're setting up the schedule, maybe you have to provide someone to go with them. So it just gives you a little taste of what life could be at 21 And again, along those lines, you never know what a volunteer opportunity might blossom into in the future, not in all cases, in some cases, it's actually very few times. But, I mean, we've heard about situations where students were volunteering and then a job presented itself, and one of the community leaders was like, "Hey, this might actually work out okay."

Meghan Smallwood: 11:15

Yeah if you find that right match, you know, again, it could be trial and error. You got to get out there to to know. So, yeah, definitely. And also put it out to other families, other people that you know, people that you work with, or in your organizations or activities that they participate in. Just put it out there you're looking for a summer opportunity and see what, see what hits, if an individual is interested in camp. There are camps for students up to age 21 that work specifically with individuals with disabilities. And I just had a conversation with the family about sleep away camps because their student advocated and said he wanted to go to camp, a different camp than he had been going to, and he will be exiting next year. And I said, Have you ever thought about, you know, sleep away camp? And they said he's never been away from us, and the student has shown independence. And I said it might be something pretty cool for him to try. I mean, it gives him a taste of more independence, and he's completely supported while he's there. And the other cool thing is list funding, if you, you know, put in for that lottery twice a year that could pay for it, if they're receiving SSI, that could be used to to pay for a sleep away camp. But it's definitely something to consider. And, you know, give them a taste of little like I said, independence, but also life without mom and dad right there. You know, I know it's scary. We talk about what, what it's going to be like down the road if you're not around, but it's just, I think it's a great opportunity, just for them and you.

Patrick Cadigan: 12:48

Yeah, and then playing off of that also don't shy away from those potential social opportunities. Both Meghan and I are involved with Facebook groups that focus on different aspects of what, you know, what individuals are doing, be it a like a like a social group or a self directed group or something like that. And they're constantly, you know, throwing out ideas and stuff like that. So, I mean, again, opportunities to socialize with others is really important.

Meghan Smallwood: 13:25

Yeah and just right, you know, as we're talking, you mentioned social I think, you know, Rec and Parks also has lots of opportunities too, especially for the older crew, especially for individual disabilities. So definitely, just like I said, research, explore; now is the time to see what's out there, what's opening up, and consider other options. besides ESY.

Patrick Cadigan: 13:47

Yeah, and because there, there usually is, there usually is, other options, and it is definitely worth having a conversation.

Meghan Smallwood: 13:56

Agree; I agree.

Patrick Cadigan: 13:58

All right, well, I would say that, then that would be a good place to bring this discussion to a close. We still have much more planned out as we continue to navigate our way through this new year, and we look forward to having more conversations with you.

Meghan Smallwood: 14:16

Absolutely.

Patrick Cadigan: 14:18

All right. Thank you, everybody.

Meghan Smallwood: 14:19

Thanks.

Patrick Cadigan: 14:29

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