A Series of Transition Resource Presentations for Families 2022-2023 School Year
2022-2023 TRANSITION RESOURCE PRESENTATIONS

Additional Transition Community Presentations

The Maine and Niles Special Education teams will host informational sessions to take place once a month beginning in September.  Example topics include financial planning, living arrangement possibilities, employment opportunities and supports, community resources, etc. The information provided would be helpful for families of students with a disability of all ages as they plan for the future.  Parents/Guardians, students, and staff are encouraged to attend.  Below is a calendar of events.

These events will be presented virtually until further notice.  Links to participate in the presentation will be shared with those that RSVP’d ahead of the event.  Resources shared at the presentations will be linked online for future reference. 

Join the mailing list: If you would like to receive emails about these sessions including announcements about the topics covered, any changes to meeting dates, reminders for meetings, etc. please sign up here: Join the Mailing List

Note about Presentations Materials: Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the presenter are their own and do not necessarily reflect that of District 207 or District 219.

Important Note about Recording of Presentations: All presentations will be recorded and, when possible, will be shared after for families to access in the future.  Please note that, if you choose to attend the live virtual event, you are consenting to be part of this recording. 

Archived Presentations and Resources: Over the past few school years the Maine and Niles Special Education teams have presented on similar topics. A list of prior events with handouts is available on the links below.

 2021-2022 Transition Presentations    2020-2021 Transition Presentations    2019-2020 Transition Presentations

Wednesday, September 21, 2022 | 6:30 pm

LOCATION: Online via Zoom
TIME: 6:30 pm
PRESENTER: Cheryl Lipton – Center for Disability & Elder Law
PRESENTATION HANDOUTS: Presentation Information
PRESENTATION LINK: JOIN VIA ZOOM 
DESCRIPTION: Informational session about guardianship to families with young adults with disabilities who are transitioning to adulthood. This is appropriate for anyone that would like more general information about guardianship. If you already have guardianship, this session would most likely not be beneficial for you to attend. 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: https://www.cdelaw.org/

Monday, October 17, 2022 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm

LOCATION: The Options Fair 2022 will be hosted at Downers South High School at 1436 Norfolk Street Downers Grove, IL 60516 These programs are offered to the public free of charge. No pre-registration is required
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
DESCRIPTION: “The Options Fair was established to offer students with special needs and their families an opportunity to meet with colleges and universities as well as agencies that can provide services after high school. The Options Fair offers students with special needs an opportunity to meet with colleges, universities,  adult services agencies, and other organizations. The post-secondary schools will be represented by staff from their organization and available to provide details regarding the programs and services available.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Link to the Options Information https://optionsfair.org/

Wednesday, October 18, 2022 | 6:00 – 8:30 pm

LOCATION: The Choices 2022 fair is to be hosted in person at Evanston Township High School
TIME: 6:00 – 8:30 pm 
PRESENTER(S): Many!
DESCRIPTION: Choices is a post-secondary planning night for students with learning differences who are college-bound.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: https://postsecondarychoices.org/

Previous Choices Presentation

Wednesday, November 9, 2022, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

LOCATION: The B.E.S.T. Fair is to be hosted in person at Niles North High School
TIME: 6:00-8:30 pm 
PRESENTATION HANDOUTS: http://www.besttransition.org/home.html
DESCRIPTION: Agencies will share short videos, resource materials, and information on the services offered by their organization.  Participants will be able to access the materials virtually through the BEST website.  
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: BEST Website: http://www.besttransition.org/home.html

Monday, November 21, 2022 | 10:00 am CST.

Join this FREE webinar! Register Now!

• An overview of Government Benefits, including SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare.
• An overview of types of appropriate uses of Special Needs Trusts, including gifting by grandparents & extended family members; The impact of divorce & child support on government benefits; The impact of litigation settlements on government benefits; and Determining the appropriate amount to leave. 
• ABLE Accounts…when, why…pros and, yes, cons.
• Guardianships (Plenary and Limited)& the alternatives including Supported Decision Making and Powers of Attorney.
• Letters of intent… Selecting and providing guidance, education & information for the “Future Team”, the future Trustees, Guardians, and Care Providers.
• Q&A

Attorney Brian Rubin, the founder of Rubin Law, a former IRS Agent, and former IRS Attorney, has been a practicing attorney since 1976 and is the parent of three children one of whom, Mitchell, has Autism. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Family Matters PTIC is funded by the US Department of Education with additional support from Community Support Systems. 

Wednesday, December 14, 2022 | 6:30 pm

LOCATION: Online
TIME: 6:30 pm
PRESENTER: Stacey J. Dembo, LLC 
PRESENTATION LINK: JOIN VIA ZOOM

DESCRIPTION: Attorney Stacey Dembo will present “What Parents of Transition Age (18-22) Students Need to Know about Social Security.”  The Social Security process can be intimidating for many families and Stacey will help demystify the process.  She will share information that parents need to know about the different Social Security benefit programs available to people with disabilities, the Social Security application and appeal processes, SSI financial eligibility requirements, and Disabled Adult Child eligibility.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Link to presentation handouts

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 | 6:30 pm

LOCATION: Online
TIME: 6:30 pm
PRESENTER: Michelle Schwartz
PRESENTATION LINK: JOIN VIA ZOOM

DESCRIPTION: Part of planning for adulthood following High School Transition, may include attending Adult Community Day Services (CDS).  If you are interested in learning more about Community Day Services, and funding for these services, this presentation is designed to answer your questions and provide information and resources in planning for your young adult’s future.  Michelle Schwartz, Clearbrook’s Transition Outreach Specialist, has been providing Transition Outreach services for over 10 years.  She is well acquainted with Community Day Services in the area, the Home Based funding available through the Medicaid Waiver, and how to use the funding, including for supported housing, and the preparation needed to access these services and plan successful transitions.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Clearbrook Program Services

Tuesday, February 16, 2023 | 6:30 pm

LOCATION: Online
TIME: 6:30 pm
PRESENTER: Lisa Barrera, Superintendent of Recreation, and Nicole Derrig, Program Manager
CONTACT: M-NASR – 6820 W. Dempster, Morton Grove, IL (847)966-5522

PRESENTATION LINK: JOIN VIA ZOOM

DESCRIPTION: M-NASR provides a wide range of recreation programming, including athletics, adaptive sports, day camps, cultural arts, social opportunities, special events, and much more. Programs are offered year-round throughout our member districts. M-NASR participants are welcome to register for all programs regardless of location, and transportation is available to select programs.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: www.mnasr.org