MESSAGE from the PRESIDENT INSIDE by Colleen Thoma, DCDT President Ebrate the Conference and the Magic of THIS Tr a N S I T I O N

DCDTCouncil for Exceptional Children NETWORK Volume 31 – Issue 2 Division on Career Development and Transition September 2007 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT INSIDE by Colleen Thoma, DCDT President ebrate the conference and the Magic of THIS Tr a n s i t i o n . This special edition of the DCDT newslet- ISSUE • Keynote Luncheon: We will have a ter focuses on updated information about the luncheon event scheduled for Friday, upcoming DCDT conference, scheduled for Message from the with Heather Whitestone McCallum, October 17–20, 2007. The conference theme, President ...... 1–2 the first Miss America with a hear- Building Castles, Building Dreams: The Magic ing impairment. She will share her 2007 DCDT of Transition, is reflective of the magic that S.T.A.R.S. plan for overcoming life’s I n t e r n a t i o n a l we’ve been planning for special educators, tran- challenges. In addition, various Florida C o n f e r e n c e sition specialists, researchers, administrators, state administrators will extend their r e g i s t r a t i o n students with disabilities, their parents, and welcome to conference attendees. The form ...... 3 other transition stakeholders. The conference cost of lunch is included in the confer- will be held in the modern Contemporary Ho- Helpful hints ence registration cost. tel’s conference center, a resort hotel right on for making • Breakout Sessions: We will have over the Disney monorail. All events will be held on reservations for 15 different sessions every hour, focus- the Contemporary Resort property, providing the International ing on evidence-based practices, prom- easy access to entertainment and dining options DCDT ising practices, and first-person success at Disney. Conference ...... 4 stories to inspire your own thoughts It’s important to note that DCDT has been about improving transition services. Government a vital organization for over 30 years, and we’ll We will also hold two different poster R e l a t i o n s celebrate that anniversary throughout the sessions, one dedicated to graduate Committee conference. student research. This will give gradu- Seeking Let me spotlight a few of the highlights of ate students an opportunity to show- Members ...... 4 what we have in store for you: case their work, and meet researchers Call for • Pre-conference Session: NSTTAC will who have inspired their work. Check Nominations hold a full-day training for state transi- out this new feature of the conference for 2008 tion teams on Wednesday, October 16, p r o g r a m . Elections ...... 5 2007. Pre-registration for this event is • Committee Meetings: Some DCDT separate from the conference itself. standing committees are planning to NEWS from • Opening Session: The conference it- meet during the conference. If you N S T T A C ...... 5 self will begin with an opening session have been wondering how to be more Call for on Thursday morning at 8:30 am. Our involved in the organization, please Nominations special guest will be Josh Blue, win- check the schedule for those meetings. for DCDT ner of the 2006 Last Comic Standing. At this time, the Research, Govern- Awards ...... 6 Breakout sessions will begin after the ment Relations, and Membership com- opening session, and we will have up to mittees are planning to meet. We need Parent Column: 17 breakout sessions every hour. people for these key committees. Pointing the • President’s Reception: Join the mem- • Closing Session: We will end the con- Finger of Blame ... 7 bers of the Florida Local Arrangements ference on Saturday at noon, with a Committee, the National DCDT special anniversary celebration to com- board, and DCDT past presidents for memorate DCDT’s 30th anniversary fun by the Contemporary Pool for a re- and a look forward to DCDT’s 2009 ception on Thursday evening. We will conference in San Antonio. have beverages, snacks, and a cash bar, DCDT as well as music and dancing, to cel- (continues next page) Page:Page: 2

(“President’s Message” continued from p. 1) LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE (LAC) CONTACT LIST Janet Adams, Liaison Florida Department of Education • Hotel Room Reservations. If you have not made your Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) reservations yet, look for the article in this newsletter E-mail: [email protected] that provides tips for making the hotel reservations at the Contemporary Resort. Some rooms are available, Drew Andrews, Hotel/Hospitality Chair although the room block is filling quickly. There are E-mail: [email protected] rooms available at the overflow hotels. Call the Con- Karlton Ballard, FDCDT Past-President/Funding & Support temporary Resort directly and follow the directions in [email protected] the Hotel Reservation Tips article. Kyle Bennett, Evaluation Co-Chair • Conference Registration. We’ve also included the E-mail: [email protected] Conference Registration form in this newsletter for Stu Bergmann, Exhibitors your convenience. You can register online, or by send- E-mail: [email protected] ing the conference registration form (see the specific John Boekenoongen, FDCDT President Elect/Speakers Co- directions on the registration form). Other important Chair tips about the conference (including the Magical Ex- E-mail: [email protected] press for transportation to and from the airport) can be found on the DCDT website (http://www.dcdt.org) Michael Brady, Evaluation Chair under the link for professional development calendar. E-mail: [email protected] • Program Strand Coordinators. I want to thank the Randy Bumgardner, FDCDT At Large Representative/Hotel/ program strand coordinators who helped with review- Hospitality ing the proposals for presentations. The topics and co- E-mail: [email protected] ordinators are listed below: Kathy Burton, Parent & Family Involvement Co-Chair E-mail: [email protected] 2007 DCDT PROPOSAL STRANDS Jordan Knab, Program Chair 1. Self-Determination & Student Involvement: Dan E-mail: [email protected] Dalun Zhang Kathy Lowe, FDCDT Treasurer/Budget Chair 2. Community Partnerships in Transition: Kathe Wittig E-mail: [email protected] 3. Family Partnerships in Transition: Amy Pleet Joyce Lubbers, Local Arrangements Co-Chair 4. Postsecondary Education Services & Transition: Deb E-mail: [email protected] Hart Heather Mack, FDCDT Past President/Funding and Support 5. Personnel Prep/Professional Development in Transi- Chair tion: Mary Morningstar E-mail: [email protected] 6. Student Diversity & Multicultural Approaches: Audrey Paul Martell, Accommodations Chair Trainor E-mail: [email protected] 7. Program Evaluation Models & Data-Based Decision Making: Ed O’Leary Marjorie Mickelson, Marketing Chair 8. Aligning Transition-Focused Education, Standards and E-mail: [email protected] School Reform: Ronald Tamura Kathy Mullens, AV Chair 9. Legislation and Policy (includes standards and regula- E-mail: [email protected] tions. IDEA 2004, NCLB, WIA): Laura Eisenman Patrick Mulvihill, FDCDT President/LAC Co-Chair/Exhibitors 10. Employment-Focused Education and Business Strate- Chair gies: S. O’Mara E-mail: [email protected] 11. Transition Education in Elementary and Middle Jeanne Repetto, CEU Chair Schools: Donna Wandry E-mail: [email protected] 12. Transition Approaches for Specific Student Disability Diane Roberts, FDCDT At Large Representative Exhibitors Groups: Jim Martin Co-Chair 13. Skill Requirements in the New Economy: Beth Bader E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] 14. Assessment in Transition: Stacie Dojonovic 15. Graduate Student Research in Transition: Christy Kim Spence-Cochran, Volunteers Chair Bartholomew E-mail: [email protected] Kris Webb, Parent & Family Involvement Co-Chair Lastly, I want to thank the dedicated Florida DCDT mem- E-mail: [email protected] bers who have been working so hard on planning this con- Please thank them when you see them at the conference in ference. The amount of work that it takes to put together a Orlando. You’ll recognize them by the look of pride in their eyes conference this large was something that I did not fully under- (or will that be exhaustion)? We just could not have asked for a stand until I found myself immersed in the process with these more dedicated group of professionals to organize this confer- dedicated professionals. ence. Enjoy. I look forward to seeing you all in Orlando! Page: 3 Page: 4

HELPFUL HINTS FOR MAKING from the Polynesian to the Contemporary Resort. The RESERVATIONS FOR THE Disney bus system will easily transport you from the INTERNATIONAL DCDT Value Resort to the Contemporary Resort and Confer- ence Center. CONFERENCE Disney can assist you with luggage if moving from one location to another is necessary. 1. We are only guaranteed the conference rate for the ROOM BLOCK rooms we have blocked. Room Block Contemporary Resort 2. The conference rate is available before and after the Oct. 16 / 90 sleeping rooms conference, but not guaranteed. Oct. 17 / 100 sleeping rooms 3. Please call Disney Reservations at: Oct. 18 / 500 sleeping rooms 407/939-6244 Oct. 19 / 500 sleeping rooms 407/939-7429 Oct. 20 / 500 sleeping rooms Key Code: DCDT Room Block Polynesian Resort Or the Contemporary Resort directly at: Oct. 16 / 60 sleeping rooms 407/824-3869 Oct. 17 / 75 sleeping rooms Key code: DCDT 5. Other Disney properties that offer a room rate lower 4. The room block is shown below. Rooms are available than the conference include the Value Resort (http:// before and after the conference, but may not be at the disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_CA/resorts/ same hotel. resortCatListing?id=ValueResortListingPage). Our only guaranteed rooms are the rooms in the room 6. The cutoff date for reservations is Sept. 18, 2007; how- block. The Disney monorail will easily transport you ever, there may be no rooms available by that time.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 4 Guidance and recommendations regarding public pol- COMMITTEE SEEKING MEMBERS icy issues to DCDT Board and Membership. Donna Martinez, Come ready with your thoughts, ideas, and questions! DCDT Government Relations Committee Chair Do you have an interest in public policy and government is- OTHER WAYS TO ADVOCATE sues? Do you desire to gain skill and confidence in advocating Of course, even if you are not able to join us in Orlando, the for issues relevant to the field, the staff, and students involved DCDT Government Relations Committee wants you to know in Career Development and Transition? Then the DCDT Gov- that there are many other ways to help support the goals of ernment Relations Committee invites you to be a part of this DCDT and the Government Relations Committee. Below are dynamic committee. Plans are in the making for the committee some of the ways to help advance policy affecting students with to meet in Orlando. If you are interested in being a part of this disabilities and/or gifts and talents: critical committee contact Committee Chair, Donna Martinez 1 Sign up for CEC’s Weekly Policy Updates by e-mailing [email protected] ( ). She will advise you once arrangements ([email protected]) are made of the Committee’s Meeting date and room. 2 Sign up for CEC’s Smart Brief for the latest news send TELL ME MORE! directly to your inbox three times per week by visiting the Web site (http://www.smartbrief.com/cec/) The Government Relations Committee is pivotal to making 3 Continue to monitor CEC’s website for breaking news progress on Capitol Hill, in federal agencies, and in state gov- and information ernments. Our committee reviews and analyzes relevant issues 4 Email your members of Congress directly from CEC’s for our DCDT Board and membership, provides recommen- Legislative Action Center dations to the DCDT board, supports CEC’s policy agenda 5 —and tell your family, friends and colleagues to do the and grassroots initiatives, and finally, works to influence public same! policy and convert public policy into best practice. Our agenda items include: WHO SHOULD I CONTACT 1 The role the DCDT Government and Relations Com- FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? mittee members play as advocates for students with dis- We do hope you consider joining DCDT’s Government Rela- abilities and/or gifts, tions Committee and become active in forming and advancing 2 Use of the conference as an important tool to promote CEC/DCDT’s public policy. For additional information on the the committee’s growth, Government Relations Committee, please contact Donna Mar- 3 DCDT’s specific advocacy goals advancing the field of tinez ([email protected]). Looking forward to seeing you Career Development and Transition, and in Orlando! Page: 5

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: She/he will assist on a regional basis with the initiation and DCDT CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR maintenance of subdivisions and with the conducting of confer- 2008 ELECTIONS ences, state meetings, and/or workshops. The Southwest Representation must be a DCDT member The Division on Career Development and Transition Board is from one of the states in the Southwest Region: pleased to open nominations for several positions that will begin ARIZONA NEW MEXICO on July 1, 2008. DCDT needs your leadership, creativity, and ARKANSAS OKLAHOMA experience! If you are interested, or you know a colleague who CALIFORNIA TEXAS would be an excellent candidate, please read further for details. COLORADO UTAH Nominations are being solicited for the following positions: HAWAII GUAM LOUISIANA MEXICO Vice President. The Vice President serves as President Elect in NEVADA the event of resignation or absence or inability to serve of the President Elect and performs other responsibilities as designated All nominees must be members in good standing of the by the President, particularly chairing the Membership Recruit- Division on Career Development and Transition at the time ment committee or serving as chair of the Conference Planning of nomination. Committee. The person elected as Vice President serves a four- year term. The first year, the elected officer will serve as Vice NOMINATION PROCESS President, and subsequent years as President-Elect, President, The DCDT Nominating Committee will accept the nomina- and finally as Past-President. tion of any member in good standing of the association, including self-nominations. All nominations must be accompanied by Southeast Regional Representative. The Southeast Regional a short biography of the nominee, five letters of nomination for Representative serves as a liaison from the DCDT Board to state the nominee from DCDT members in good standing, and writ- DCDT subdivisions and performs responsibilities in the area of ten consent from the nominee to serve if elected. Self-nomina- marketing, recruiting membership, mentorship, and planning. tions must be accompanied by five letters of nomination from She/he will assist on a regional basis with the initiation and other DCDT members and the self-nomination letter must in- maintenance of subdivisions and with the conducting of confer- clude a statement of the person’s willingness to serve if elected. ences, state meetings, and/or workshops. Nominations can be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to: The Southeast Representation must be a DCDT member from one of the states in the Southeast Region: Kristine Webb, PhD ALABAMA MISSISSIPPI Past President, Division on Career Development and Transition DELAWARE NORTH CAROLINA University of North Florida DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA Building 10 Room 1201 FLORIDA TENNESSEE 1 UNF Drive GEORGIA VIRGINIA Jacksonville, FL 32224 KENTUCKY WEST VIRGINIA Phone: 903-620-1807 MARYLAND PUERTO RICO Fax: 904-620-3874 E-mail: [email protected] Southwest Regional Representative. The Southwest Regional Representative serves as a liaison from the DCDT Board to state To be eligible for consideration, nominations must be re- DCDT subdivisions and performs responsibilities in the area of ceived by December 15, 2007. marketing, recruiting membership, mentorship, and planning.

NEWS FROM NSTTAC has not yet registered, you can do so at the Web site (http://www. nsttac.org). NSTTAC will host its Mid-Year State Planning Institute on Wednesday, October 17th at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Ho- NSTTAC has recently posted new resources on its Web site tel in Orlando, Florida, as a follow-up to our May Institute in (http://www.nsttac.org) including: Charlotte. Participants will be representatives of state planning teams that developed or updated secondary transition capacity • DCDT Fact Sheets on transition assessment and stu- building plans in May, 2007 during the National State Plan- dent involvement in the IEP ning Institute in Charlotte. Teams will work with other states, • A draft of our Indicator 13 training materials NSTTAC staff, and secondary transition experts to discuss • Postsecondary education resources progress, barriers, and strategies related to (a) secondary transi- • The national state capacity building planning tool tion indicators, (b) developing state capacity building institutes, and sample local planning tools from state transition (c) transition assessment, (d) family involvement, and (e) inter- institutes agency collaboration at the state and local levels. If your state • A draft of an Indicator 13 APR Checklist Page: 6 RECOGNIZE A TRANSITION is named after Marc Gold, whose innovative “Try Another COLLEAGUE! Way” approach opened the door to employment for many students with severe disabilities. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS DONN BROLIN AWARD FOR STATE/ FOR DCDT AWARDS PROVINCE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICES DCDT is pleased to announce that the annual award nomi- This honor is awarded to an individual who has provided signif- nations are currently being accepted for the year 2007–2008. icant leadership and service in transition to a state or province. DCDT business Recipients will be announced during the Donn Brolin was a founding member and the first president of meeting International CEC Conference Bos- at the held in DCDT and, as author of the Life Centered Career Education ton, Massachusetts April 2–5, 2008 on . Nominations are curriculum, was influential in the career development and early sought for the following awards: transition movement. IVA DEAN COOK TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD PATRICIA L. SITLINGTON RESEARCH IN TRANSITION AWARD This practitioner honor is awarded to an educator who has This award is presented to an individual who has contributed demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the ca- to more positive outcomes for transition-aged youth and to the reer education and transition of students with disabilities. The field of transition through a body of research in transition. The award is named in recognition of Iva Dean Cook, a DCDT award is named in honor of Patricia Sitlington, a DCDT past- founding member and past president and a pioneer in teacher president who has contributed significantly to knowledge in the preparation in transition. field through research. EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINATION PROCESS This award is presented to an employer or business that has To nominate an individual or organization, please submit a nar- shown remarkable commitment to promoting or providing em- rative (maximum length 3 pages double spaced, 12-point font) ployment opportunities to students with disabilities. that addresses why you believe the nominee should receive the OLIVER P. KOLSTOE AWARD award. Nominations can be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to: The Oliver P. Kolstoe Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the field of career devel- Kristine Webb, PhD opment and transition through means other than direct class- Past President, Division on Career Development and Transition room instruction (which is recognized by the Iva Dean Cook University of North Florida Teacher of the Year Award). The award is named in recognition Building 10 Room 1201 of Oliver P. Kolstoe, a DCDT founding member and past presi- 1 UNF Drive dent whose early research and publications significantly shaped Jacksonville, FL 32224 the field of transition. Phone: 903/620-1807 Fax: 904/620-3874 MARK GOLD INNOVATIVE PRACTICES IN TRANSITION E-mail: [email protected] AWARD This award is presented to an individual or organization that To be eligible for consideration, nominations must be re- has demonstrated innovation in transition services. The award ceived by December 15, 2007.

ARE YOU GETTING THE BLAST?

In order to keep you up-to-date on all things DCDT, this year we started sending out the DCDT E-MAIL BLAST every other month. Hopefully, you have found the BLAST easy to read and a helpful reminder of upcoming events, conferences, and other transition resources. If you have not been receiving the BLAST, it is likely that we do not have your current e-mail address. In order to start receiving the DCDT E-MAIL BLAST, you can email a request to Meg Grigal, DCDT Marketing Chair ([email protected]). You also might want to contact the CEC Membership Services at 888/232-7733 (Toll Free) to update your contact information. Page: 7 POINTING THE FINGER OF BLAME When my son didn’t turn in homework and had difficulty interacting with other children, the teacher called me and asked Amy M. Pleet, EdD, Parent Representative me to handle those two problems. Again, it was somehow my We live in a culture steeped in blaming parents. You can hear it fault. Never mind his diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. Really, in the language we use to describe how parents “treat” their kids: what did she want me to do overnight? overprotective, enabling, unrealistic, in denial. . . . The worst is What we professionals don’t think about is what it is like for the “refrigerator mother” explanation of autism that has been dis- parents to deal with their children’s issues day to day, year after proved, but still surrounds us. Consider whether you have ever year. Most parents really do have their children’s best interests heard a professional say, “I met his parents, and now I know why at heart. Most would take a different approach if they knew of he is that way . . . an apple never falls far from the tree.” If par- another way that would be better for their child. Most struggle ents are to blame, are professionals excused from accountability? with the desperate feeling that they may somehow be to blame. As a parent, I’ve had plenty of unspoken blame aimed my They don’t need to be reminded by educators. What parents way. When my daughter refused to attend school and I asked for need is reassurance that “blame” is an irrelevant issue. It doesn’t support, I was told, “Your job is to get her to school. Our job matter. What matters is NOW and what we can do in partner- is to work with her when she gets here.” The blame inherent in ship to support this youth moving forward towards a hopeful this statement still catches my breath. The implication was that future. Every comment of blame, implied or stated, damages the I was not doing my job as a parent—that it was my fault. Never possibility of partnership. Do you speak up to avert that finger mind all the crises my daughter faced at school. Attendance was of blame? If so, as a parent, I thank you! a “home issue.”

DIVISION ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION (DCDT) 20072008 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS PRESIDENT SUBDIVISION REGIONAL Colleen Thoma REPRESENTATIVE SOUTHEAST [email protected] Kathe Wittig [email protected] PRESIDENT-ELECT Sherrilyn Fisher STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE [email protected] Christy Bartholomew [email protected] VICE-PRESIDENT Dale Matusevich REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY [email protected] Thomas Holub, Ph.D. TREASURER [email protected] Kathy Kolan Jane Williams [email protected] [email protected] SECRETARY PUBLICATIONS CHAIR Elizabeth Evans Getzel Vacant [email protected] JOURNAL CO-EDITORS (2005–2008) SUBDIVISION REGIONAL David Test REPRESENTATIVE NORTHWEST [email protected] Mary Morningstar Bob Algozzine [email protected] [email protected]

SUBDIVISION REGIONAL NEWSLETTER EDITOR REPRESENTATIVE SOUTHWEST Gwendolyn J. Williams, Ph.D. Dan Dalun Zhang [email protected] [email protected] WEBMASTER SUBDIVISION REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE NORTHEAST Michael Ward [email protected] Peg Lamb [email protected] (continues next page) Page: 8

(“Officers & Committee Chairs” continued from p. 7) PARENT REPRESENTATIVE Vacant MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR HUMAN RIGHTS AND Meg Grigal, Ph.D. CULTURAL DIVERSITY CHAIR [email protected] Audrey Trainor GOVERNMENT RELATIONS [email protected] Donna Martinez [email protected] or [email protected] RESEARCH COMMITTEE CHAIR Renee Cameto REPRESENTATIVE TO KNOWLEDGE [email protected] AND SKILLS COMMITTEE Jane Razeghi CC WAVES REPRESENTATIVE [email protected] Stacie Dojonovich [email protected] REPRESENTATIVE TO KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS COMMITTEE (ALTERNATE) PAST PRESIDENT Carol Kochhar-Bryant Kris Webb [email protected] [email protected]

PROMOTE MEMBERSHIP IN DCDT One of the best ways to promote membership in DCDT is to • Add DCDT membership information to your handout encourage a friend or colleague to join. Try these strategies to packets for workshops and conference presentations. build our membership: • In your presentations, add a slide promoting DCDT. • Create DCDT Stickers that include our Web site • Share this issue of the journal and newsletter with a friend (http://www.dcdt.org). (enclose membership information from our Web site).

A NOTE FROM YOUR EDITOR . . . Greetings from the “Wild-Wild West”! On behalf of DCDT, I would like to thank all newsletter contributors for your continued support. Please contact me ([email protected]) with more submis- sions. See you in Orlando. Gwen Williams, Editor

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