Statewide Capacity Building Conference

Transition planning and pre-employment skills training for younger teens with disabilities

2024 Statewide Capacity Building Conference

Monday, Oct. 7 – Wednesday, Oct. 9

Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Frisco Hotel & Convention Center

Conference Program

Join us for three days of professional development and collaboration for transition educators and vocational rehabilitation staff. This conference will feature:

  • Keynote speakers
  • Training from experts in Pre-ETS service delivery
  • Collaborative work sessions for transition educators and VR staff

The Capacity Building Project is a joint initiative between Texas Workforce Commission and Texas A&M Center on Disability and Development to improve quality transition services for teens with disabilities.

Post-Conference Materials

Conference Schedule


Conference Workbook
  • 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Frisco 6

Registration

  • 1:00 PM - 1:20 PM
  • Frisco 6

Welcome And Opening Remarks

Dalun Zhang, Ph.D., Director of the Center on Disability and Development, Texas A&M University

  • 1:20 PM - 2:50 PM
  • Frisco 6

Keynote: What Is Self-Determination And Why Does It Matter?

Karrie Shogren & Ricky Broussard

View presentation

Ricky and Karrie will present about self-determination, including what it is and means in the lives of people with disabilities. They will discuss research-based practices that can be used to advance self-determination outcomes for young people with disabilities. They will highlight assessment and intervention approaches that can be used in schools and delivered during pre-ETS services and highlight how people with disabilities can be involved in shaping research and practice to enhance outcomes.
  • 2:50 PM - 3:05 PM
  • Frisco 6

Break

  • 3:05 PM - 3:25 PM
  • Frisco 6

Greetings From Edward Serna

Executive Director, Texas Workforce Commission

  • 3:25 PM - 3:35 PM
  • Frisco 6

Greetings From Bryan Daniel

Chairman and Commissioner Representing The Public, Texas Workforce Commission

  • 3:35 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Frisco 6

Blazing A Trail: The Capacity-Building Project’s Collaborative Effort To Expand Pre-ETS Services For Younger Teens

Dalun Zhang, Ph.D., Robin Miller, M.S., and Xinyuan Yang, Ph.D., Texas A&M University

View Presentation

Established in 2018, the Statewide Capacity-Building Project is a joint venture between the Texas Workforce Commission and Texas A&M University’s Center on Disability and Development to build collaboration and address barriers in an effort to improve transition outcomes for students with disabilities. This session will review the rationale behind the project, its history, its impact on collaboration between vocational rehabilitation professionals and educators, and its implications for future practice.
  • 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Frisco 6

Networking Event

  • 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
  • Frisco 6

Registration

  • 8:00 AM - 8:20 AM
  • Frisco 1 & 2 / Frisco 6

Welcome

This morning, Educators will attend sessions in Frisco 1 & 2, and TWC staff will attend sessions in Frisco 6.

  • 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
  • Frisco 6

Assessment And Service Planning For Younger VR Customers—Part 1

VR State Office Transition Team

View presentation

How do you determine VR service needs if a student has never worked before or has no idea what they want to do after high school? How do you plan services in a way that will help students build skills over time and have meaningful preparation for work and independent living? This session will walk through a process of informal assessment, including information that can be requested from school and what it might tell you about a student and questions you can ask that will give you clues about what services and supports the students might need. Once we’ve talked about how to determine need, we will walk through the process of planning services for younger students so they are well-prepared for life after high school.
  • 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
  • Frisco 1 & 2

Using Informal Assessments And Data To Determine Job Readiness

Texas A&M Staff: Robin Miller, Joette Hardin, Jana Bishop, Marcy Hancock

View presentation

“Using Informal Assessments and Data to Determine Job Readiness” is a comprehensive professional development session designed to enhance the ability of educators to support students with disabilities in their transition to employment within Texas Workforce. Through this session, participants will gain valuable insights into the role of informal assessments and data analysis in determining job readiness. They will explore how informal assessments, including interviews, observations, and work samples, uncover students’ skills and strengths, aligning with Texas Workforce program requirements. Participants will learn practical strategies for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to make informed decisions regarding students’ job readiness and eligibility for Texas Workforce programs. By understanding the collaboration between educators and VR staff, attendees will be empowered to develop effective employment plans that leverage students’ strengths and meet program criteria. The session will also provide tangible resources to support students’ transition to meaningful employment within Texas.
  • 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM
  • Frisco 6

Assessment And Service Planning For Younger VR Customers—Part 2

VR State Office Transition Team

View presentation

How do you determine VR service needs if a student has never worked before or has no idea what they want to do after high school? How do you plan services in a way that will help students build skills over time and have meaningful preparation for work and independent living? This session will walk through a process of informal assessment, including information that can be requested from school and what it might tell you about a student and questions you can ask that will give you clues about what services and supports the students might need. Once we’ve talked about how to determine need, we will walk through the process of planning services for younger students so they are well-prepared for life after high school.
  • 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM
  • Frisco 1 & 2

Sequencing Of Skills And Cascading Services

Texas A&M Staff: Robin Miller, Joette Hardin, Jana Bishop, Marcy Hancock

View presentation

The path to independence for students with disabilities can be complex, and it is our role as educators to simplify and support their transition. This engaging and informative presentation will offer insights into the world of transition services, with a focus on skill development and the coordination of services to promote student success. Through this session, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the strategic sequencing of skill development, from foundational to advanced, and how this lays the groundwork for a student’s future. We will explore the concept of ‘cascading services’, a strategic and efficient approach to coordinating support services, ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing resources.
  • 10:50 AM - 11:00 AM

Break

  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Frisco 6

Roles Of TWC Transition And General Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors In Collaboration With Schools - A Panel Discussion

TWC TVRC/VRC and Educational Service Center Staff

Facilitated by Leigh Ann Godinez and Kristen Davis

View presentation

A panel of counselors from Texas Workforce Commission will share with participants the differences in the roles of liaison and transition counselors at the schools and what their duties look like while serving students with disabilities. Education Center Staff will discuss how TWC counselors can supplement activities and services being provided by the school partners. The responsibilities of TWC Counselors will also be looked at closely.
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Frisco 6

Lunch

  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Frisco 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9

Capacity Building For A Stronger Collaboration: Individual Regional Sessions With VR/Educator Activities—Part 1

VR and Educational Service Center Program Specialists

Session Locations / Presentations

Session will include an overview of specific VR processes that students must participate in to access Pre-ETS services. ESC staff and TWC Program specialists will discuss the Potentially Eligible process and the role of the counselor, education staff, guardian and student in the process. There will be hands-on activities to ensure that participants can identify best practices when referring students to TWC.
  • 2:00 PM - 2:10 PM

Break

  • 2:10 PM - 3:10 PM
  • Frisco 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9

Capacity Building For A Stronger Collaboration: Individual Regional Sessions With VR/Educator Activities—Part 2

VR and Educational Service Center Program Specialists

Session Locations

Session will include an overview of specific VR processes that students must participate in to access Pre-ETS services. ESC staff and TWC Program specialists will discuss the Potentially Eligible process and the role of the counselor, education staff, guardian and student in the process. There will be hands-on activities to ensure that participants can identify best practices when referring students to TWC.
  • 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM

Break

  • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Frisco 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9

Capacity Building For A Stronger Collaboration: Individual Regional Sessions With VR/Educator Activities—Part 3

VR and Educational Service Center Program Specialists

Session Locations

Session will include an overview of specific VR processes that students must participate in to access Pre-ETS services. ESC staff and TWC Program specialists will discuss the Potentially Eligible process and the role of the counselor, education staff, guardian and student in the process. There will be hands-on activities to ensure that participants can identify best practices when referring students to TWC.
  • 8:00 AM - 8:10 AM
  • Frisco 6

Closing Remarks, Recognition, And Thanks

Robin Miller, Director of Employment Programs, Texas A&M Center on Disability and Development

  • 8:20 AM - 8:40 AM
  • Frisco 6

Greetings From Alberto Treviño III

Commissioner Representing Labor, Texas Workforce Commission

  • 8:40 AM - 10:10 AM
  • Frisco 6

Keynote: Creating A Successful Path: Transition Planning For Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Students

Corinna Cole, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Coordinator of Special Education Programs at Sam Houston State University

Suzanne Jones, Ph.D., Evaluation and Transition Specialist, Region 6 Educational Service Center

View presentation

Postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities are most effective when families are involved in the transition planning. Therefore, this session aims to provide professionals with information and strategies to facilitate transition planning for the culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) student that bridges school and home expectations. Building this bridge requires professionals to understand language acquisition, to consider the background of CLD students and their families, and to recognize family expectations. This session will conclude with a collaborative activity to allow participants to share how they will weave this new learning into their practice of transition services.


Objectives

Transition professionals will gain:

  • Knowledge on creating a collaborative team that involves a strong partnership between school and home
  • The skills to ensure effective transition services for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students
  • An understanding of best practices to implement ensuring positive post-school outcomes for CLD students
  • 10:10 AM - 10:30 AM

Snack Break

  • 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Frisco 6

Transition Services Unlocked: Frisco ISD’s Collaborative Journey With Project SEARCH—A Panel Discussion

Project SEARCH staff and participants will highlight their experiences in the SEARCH program, best practices, and learned lessons. Presenters will answer questions about process, procedure, and outcomes from the time in the program. Participants will learn more about Project SEARCH and how to begin the process of program implementation.

Stevens Amendment

English:

These activities are financed under the TWC Federal Vocational Rehabilitation grant. For the Federal fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024), TWC anticipates expending $320,291,817 in Federal Vocational Rehabilitation funds. Funds appropriated by the State pay a minimum of 21.3% of the total costs ($86,686,349) under the Vocational Rehabilitation program. Revised June 2024.

For purposes of the Supported Employment program, the Vocational Rehabilitation agency receives 94.7 percent of its funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For the 2024 Federal fiscal year, the total amount of grant funds awarded are $1,501,230. The remaining 5.3 percent ($83,402) are funded by Texas State Appropriations. Revised June 2024.

For purposes of the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind program, the Vocational Rehabilitation agency receives 90 percent of its funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For the 2024 Federal fiscal year, the total amount of grant funds awarded are $2,213,488. The remaining 10 percent ($245,943) are funded by Texas State Appropriations. Revised June 2024.

En español

Estas actividades están financiadas bajo la subvención de Rehabilitación Vocacional Federal de la TWC. Para el año fiscal federal 2023 (octubre 1o, 2023, hasta el 30 de septiembre, 2024), La TWC espera gastar $320,291,817 en fondos Federales de Rehabilitación Vocacional. Fondos apropiados por el estado para pagar un mínimo de 21.3% del costo total ($86,686,349) bajo el programa de Rehabilitación Vocacional. Actualizado junio 2024.

Para fines del programa de Empleo Apoyado, la dependencia de Rehabilitación Vocacional recibe el 94.7 por ciento de sus fondos por medio de una subvención del Departamento de Educación de EE.UU. Para el año fiscal federal 2024, la cantidad total de fondos de la subvención concedida es de $1,501,230. El 5.3 por ciento restante ($83,402) es subsanado por Apropiaciones del Estado de Texas. Actualizado junio 2024.

Para fines del programa de Servicios de Vida Independiente para Personas Mayores Ciegas, la dependencia de Rehabilitación Vocacional recibe el 90 por ciento de sus fondos por medio de una subvención del Departamento de Educación de EE.UU. Para el año fiscal federal 2024, la cantidad total de fondos de la subvención otorgada es de $2,213,488. El 10 por ciento restante ($245,943) está subsanado por Apropiaciones del Estado de Texas. Actualizado junio 2024.