Why Is Our Partnership Important?
A community built on effective, research-based transition practices seeks to share learnings within and across organizations, agencies, and service roles to create new knowledge grounded in ‘doing’ the work.
We’re all in this together! A community of practice is a way of working by:
PA Community on Transition Partners
Learn more about our community partners.
The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)
Working with the Bureau of Special Education (BSE), Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), PaTTAN provides a full array of professional development and technical assistance targeted to improving student results. This professional development and technical assistance takes many forms in order to meet the varied needs of PaTTAN’s constituents. Week-long summer institutes, ongoing professional development series, webinars, on-site assistance, and individual student or teacher supports are some of the means by which PaTTAN provides support to schools.
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment.
Office Of Developmental Programs
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is one of seven program offices operating under the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). The mission of DHS is to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania’s individuals and families, as well as promote opportunities for independence through services and supports while demonstrating accountability for taxpayer resources.
The mission of the ODP is to support Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities achieve greater independence, choice and opportunity in their lives.
There are 4 bureaus that comprise ODP:
Combined, these offices seek to continuously improve an effective system of accessible services and supports that are flexible, innovative and person-centered.
Office of Long Term Living (OLTL)
The Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is committed to serving more people in communities rather than in facilities, giving them the opportunity to work, spend more time with their families, and experience an overall better quality of life. The majority of people will need assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and meal preparation, at some point in their lives, whether due to aging, injury, illness or disability. Knowing what types of services are needed, available and how to obtain them is not easy. Whether you need help now or are exploring future options for yourself or a loved one, services and supports available through the Office of Long-Term Living can assist you.
Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS)
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) focuses their efforts on providing individuals who live with mental illness and substance use disorders with opportunities for growth, recovery and inclusion in the community, access to culturally competent services and supports of their choice, and a quality of life that includes family members and friends.
The Parent Education, Advocacy, & Leadership (PEAL) Center
Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center is a primary partner in the Transition Quality Empowerment Project, wherein they contribute knowledge and expertise in the areas of youth and family engagement. The mission of the PEAL Center is to educate and empower families to ensure that children, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs lead rich, active lives as full members of their schools and communities.
The Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN)
Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN) provides a “youth voice” in the Transition Discoveries Initiative. PYLN promotes advocacy, self-determination, leadership, empowerment, and service learning in the areas of transition, employment, education, and community engagement. The PYLN Governing Board is an inclusive group of youth and young adults, aged 18-35. PYLN helps to support the development of PYLN Affiliated Groups, which build inclusive leadership skills and focus on service to their communities.
The Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT)
The Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT) is a statewide initiative funded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). The goal of the ASERT Collaborative is to provide streamlined access to information for Pennsylvanians living with autism.
HUNE
HUNE is a not for profit organization that provides free bilingual English and Spanish training, technical assistance and individual assistance to families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and to professionals who work with children. This assistance helps families to participate more effectively with professionals in meeting the educational needs of children and youth with disabilities. HUNE works to improve educational outcomes for children and youth with all disabilities (emotional, learning, mental, and physical) from 0-26 years of age.
Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (PIHEC)
Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (PIHEC) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education through the acquisition of a Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) grant. The administration of the grant is being achieved through Millersville University under the direction of Thomas Neuville, Ph.D., principal investigator, and Ann Marie Licata, Ph.D., serving as the co-principal investigator.We are a community collaborative designing, promoting, and supporting authentic, inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability.
