BPDD executive director Beth Swedeen kicks off the Statewide Community-Based Transition Employment Summit by Mythbusting the common myths about the value and possibility of competitive employment. Five new school districts will be using BPDD Lets Get to Work strategies to improve their school transition programs!

1. Let’s Get to Work:
Integrated Employment Summit
Beth Swedeen, WI BPDD Executive Director
January, 2015
Mythbusters Transition-Style!

2. Three years ago, a crack team of educators
and community members …

3. • Undertook participation in a national 5-year
Partnerships in Employment (PIE) grant to change
policies leading to more integrated employment for
youth with significant disabilities.
• This endeavor included our 3 state agencies (DHS,
DVR, DPI)….
• And let loose a fury of innovations and practices
that included: Consortium, Policy Team, School
Pilot Sites, Coaches

4. In the next 20 minutes, we’ll share with you
which youth transition myths get busted,
and which we can confirm!
•CommunityastheRE

5. Myth #1 General education is great for young
kids. It’s not that useful or possible in high school.

7. Myth #2: High school activities
are fun, but not that useful

9. Myth #3: Family Involvement
Matters

11. Myth #4: IDEA says schools must
do transition, so it’s all up to the
teacher

12. This better be a bust!

13. Myth #5: Collaboration is key to
successful employment
outcomes.

15. Myth #6: All work experiences
are equally valuable.

17. Myth #7: How we talk about work doesn’t
impact employment outcomes.

18. Consider the difference between…
Do you want to work?
and
What kind of a job do you want?

19. Myth #8: Public Policy doesn’t
affect my work; that’s why we
elect politicians

20. Big time busted!

21. What have we learned: epilogue
• More LGTW students are participating in typical school and
community activities with their peers without disabilities (a nearly
50% increase in integrated activities).
• Students reported working in the community makes their life better.
• Number of employers who hired LGTW students nearly doubled
within 6 months.
• Community surveys indicated most people who attended
Community Conversations believe that students with disabilities can
work (25% of responders are employers). Schools reported
increased employer contacts after hosting events.

22. Student Outcomes
Number with Paid Community Employment
Cohort 1 Cohort 2
Spring 2012 15%
Baseline
Fall 2012 28%
Spring 2013 47% 5%
Baseline
Fall 2013 45% 33%
Spring 2014 61% 37%
Fall 2014 79% 50%

23. Which myth are YOU going to bust
first!?!