Posted on 05/28/2019

AUCD 360 May 2019 Newsletter

PROMISE Close-out Presentation Feature

Projects: ASPIRE, Arkansas PROMISE, California PROMISE, Maryland PROMISE, New York State PROMISE, Wisconsin PROMISE

AUCD 360 is the Association of University Centers on Disabilities' (AUCD) monthly newsletter that highlights news, events, initiatives, and resources created by or involving the AUCD Network. This month's newsletter includes an article on the PROMISE Presentation at the National Press Club: Improving the Trajectories for Youth with Disabilities and Family Living in Poverty: Systems Change in 11 PROMISE States. The presentation featured speakers from the U.S. Department of Education and all six of the PROMISE Model Demonstration Projects. The article provides a summary of the event and links to additional PROMISE information, coverage of the event, and a recording of the event.

Posted on 04/24/2019

Improving the Trajectories for Youth with Disabilities and Families Living in Poverty

Recording of Live Webcast

Projects: ASPIRE, Arkansas PROMISE, California PROMISE, Maryland PROMISE, New York State PROMISE, Wisconsin PROMISE

Systems Change in 11 PROMISE States The U.S. Department of Education, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Social Security Administration, funded six model demonstration projects to improve the education and career outcomes of low-income children with disabilities receiving SSI and their families. Findings from the implementation of these projects will be presented in this session. Topics include:

• Accomplishments and Challenges in the Context of Disability and Poverty
• Systemic and Local Coordination and Collaboration of Services across Agencies
• Federal, State and Local Implications for Youth Receiving SSI and their Families

Posted on 03/20/2019

Improving the Trajectories for Youth with Disabilities and Families Living in Poverty

Live Webcast 4/24, 1:45pm

Projects: ASPIRE, Arkansas PROMISE, California PROMISE, Maryland PROMISE, New York State PROMISE, Wisconsin PROMISE

The U.S. Department of Education, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Social Security Administration, funded six model demonstration projects to improve the education and career outcomes of low-income children with disabilities receiving SSI and their families. Findings from the implementation of these projects will be presented in this session. Topics include:

• Accomplishments and Challenges in the Context of Disability and Poverty
• Systemic and Local Coordination and Collaboration of Services across Agencies
• Federal, State and Local Implications for Youth Receiving SSI and their Families

Posted on 03/14/2019

Webinar: Improving Transition Outcomes for Youth SSI Recipients

Early Findings from the PROMISE Evaluation

Projects: ASPIRE, Arkansas PROMISE, California PROMISE, Maryland PROMISE, New York State PROMISE, Wisconsin PROMISE

Mathematica’s Center for Studying Disability Policy will host a webinar on Thursday, April 11, 2019, noon to 1:30 p.m. (EDT), to discuss insights from the PROMISE evaluation. Topics will include the following:

• The landscape of transition services for youth with disabilities and the challenges that youth and families face in accessing those services
• Different approaches used by the PROMISE programs to address service-system challenges and improve transition outcomes
• Findings from the 18-month PROMISE impact evaluation
• Perspectives on evaluation findings from the U.S. Department of Education and the Social Security Administration

• Gina Livermore, Mathematica (moderator)
• Todd Honeycutt, Mathematica
• Jackie Kauff, Mathematica
• Arif Mamun, Mathematica
• David Emenheiser, U.S. Department of Education (discussant)
• Joyanne Cobb, Social Security Administration (discussant)

Posted on 02/21/2019

Mathematica Policy Research Publications for Evaluation of the PROMISE Grants

Projects: ASPIRE, Arkansas PROMISE, California PROMISE, Maryland PROMISE, New York State PROMISE, Wisconsin PROMISE

This resource contains all of the evaluations of the PROMISE projects carried out by Mathematica Policy Research. Clicking the linked title will re-direct you to a list of publications that include Process Analysis reports of all of the projects, reports describing the services offered to youth with disabilities by the six PROMISE projects and evidence of their effectiveness for transition, and where PROMISE fits in the landscape of federal programs targeting youth with disabilities.

Posted on 11/30/2018

Jamia and Peyton: I Can Work

Transition Film by Intelligent Lives

Project: Arkansas PROMISE

The post-secondary transition films produced by Intelligent Lives show effective transition practices captured on film. Each film also has a discussion guide to aid in classroom discourse. The film 'Jamia and Peyton: I Can Work' follows Jamia Davis and Peyton Denzer through their journey to obtain paid summer employment starting at age 14 with the help of Arkansas PROMISE.

Posted on 11/30/2018

Webinar: Learning from the SSI Youth Field: Lessons from State PROMISE Projects

Projects: Maryland PROMISE, New York State PROMISE, Wisconsin PROMISE

This December 14, 2018, 2-3:30pm EST webinar hosted by the Vocational Rehabilitation Youth Technical Assistance Center (Y-TAC) features five PROMISE speakers: (1) Jessica Ellot, NYS PROMISE, (2) Jade Ann Gingerich MD PROMISE, (3) Thomas Golden, NYS PROMISE, (4) Ellie Hartman, WI PROMISE, and (5) Andy Sink, NYS PROMISE. As a result of attending this webinar, viewers will:

1. Explore varied state approaches to implementing the required PROMISE services;
2. Understand from varied state perspectives regarding the lessons learned in design, implementation continuous quality improvement, and evaluation of PROMISE;
3. Consider implications for SVRAs in meeting the unique needs of SSI youth; and,
4. Ask questions and seek clarification regarding information presented.

Posted on 08/30/2018

Webinar: Innovative Strategies to Improve Outcomes for SSI Youth Recipients

Case Examples from the PROMISE Model Demonstration Projects

Projects: ASPIRE, Arkansas PROMISE, New York State PROMISE

This webinar was part four of a five-part series on the transition to employment for youth receiving SSI, hosted by Mathematica and sponsored by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor. It highlights three projects from the Promoting Readiness of Minors in SSI (PROMISE) Model Demonstration. Using case examples, representatives from Arkansas, Achieving Success by Promoting Readiness for Education and Employment (ASPIRE), a consortium of six western states, and New York States shared the interventions they tested and their experiences with what works to improve the education, employment, and financial outcomes of youth SSI recipients. Click here to watch/listen to the webinar. Speakers: Brent Williams, Arkansas PROMISE Carol Ruddell, ASPIRE Andy Sink, New York State PROMISE

Posted on 07/11/2018

Conversations About Group Concept Mapping

Chapter 8

Project: New York State PROMISE

NYS PROMISE contributed to this book with 'Chapter 8: A Conversation on Promoting Readiness for Living, Learning, and Working for Youth Who Have Disabilities Who Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).' The book itself defines the method of group concept mapping, and provides research examples with input from researchers representing a wide range of fields.

Posted on 07/11/2018

Underrepresentation of Adolescents with Disabilities Using ACS Questions

ASPIRE publication in Disability and Health Journal

Project: ASPIRE

Full article title: Underrepresentation of adolescents with respiratory, mental health, and developmental disabilities using American Community Survey (ACS) questions. Authors: Catherine Ipsen, Ph.D., Cathy Chambless, M.S., M.P.A., Ph.D., Noelle Kurth, M.S., Sara McCormick, M.P.A., Rebecca Goe, M.A., M.P.A., Jean Hall, Ph.D. Background: Disability prevalence estimates are used to identify populations, establish priorities and allocate funding for a broad range of federal, state, and local initiatives. Increasingly, these estimates are based on a set of six questions developed and tested for use in the American Community Survey (ACS). A key assumption about the ACS disability screeners is that they sufficiently capture the entire population of people with disabilities, but some studies indicate that certain disability groups are underrepresented.

Posted on 05/15/2018

ASPIRE Newsletter

Project: ASPIRE

ASPIRE puts out a monthly newsletter, enabling readers to follow along with the project and its progress. THe newsletter includes a letter from their Project Director, Carol Rudell, that includes general information and brief updates on ASPIRE, useful tidbits of information around transition, and reflections on her own youth employment experiences. The newsletter also includes updates from each of the six states that comprise ASPIRE (Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and UTAH). These updates include a variety of information from the programs, including success stories, helpful tips for youth on employment and similar topics, and upcoming events.

Posted on 05/15/2018

Destination Independence: What Families Can Do

Project: Wisconsin PROMISE

Young people who have paid work experiences while still in high school have a better chance of being employed as an adult. Having a job while still in high school teaches youth about time management, following directions, and developing a work ethic. This infographic identifies ways families can support their teen in exploring their full work potential and how Promise can help provide tools along the way.

Posted on 05/07/2018

New York State PROMISE Podcasts

Project: New York State PROMISE

A great way to learn about PROMISE is through New York State (NYS) PROMISE’s podcasts. They’re short at three to four minutes each and you can watch them as videos with captioning or read the transcripts at www.nyspromise.org/podcasts. Many of the episodes are also available to listen to in iTunes under ‘NYS PROMISE Podcast’. The podcasts cover a variety of topics, including the impact of PROMISE in NYS, the benefits of learning life skills and work experience for youth, mini-tutorials on life skills and other similar topics, and spotlights on PROMISE youth and staff.