The DC STCoP September meeting focused on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Member organizations reflected on the ways that they continue to adapt. They also discussed how the STCoP can support members and organizations during the 21/22 school year through virtual opportunities.

View the COVID-19 Year 2 Lessons Learned Gallery Walk here.

View the slide deck here.

The purpose of this survey is to assess Secondary Transition Community of Practice (STCoP) member needs and availability for the 2021-2022 School Year. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the STCoP will meet virtually through at least December of 2021. This survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Do you want to share your expertise, highlight organizational successes or best practices in action, or just take on a more active role in the DC Secondary Transition Community of Practice? Sign up to host one of our monthly information sessions. Desired topics include:

• Career & technical education for students with disabilities
• Work-based learning opportunities
• Customized employment
• Virtual Secondary Transition Programming
• Data sharing & tracking

SchoolTalk is offering a professional development series for Secondary Special Educators to overview the basics of Secondary Transition planning.

Strong Start (OSSE) will be joining us on Monday, October 4th at noon to talk about their shift to a primary service provider model. You may want to join if you work with families with young children who have disabilities or special health care needs.

To register: Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86833181578.

Join the inaugural Building Inclusivity Conference at Main Street in partnership with The Kelsey on Nov 2-4th!

Inclusive Living is booming in the Washington DC metropolitan area. There are a variety of new inclusive housing options, but we need more. To learn how this can happen, explore what will be offered at the Building Inclusivity Conference held at Main Street Connect in Rockville, MD, from November 2-4th, hosted by Main Street and The Kelsey. 

At this one-of-a-kind conference, participants will dig into the nuts and bolts of creating, maintaining and sustaining affordable, inclusive, accessible housing. We will also spend time on advocacy and policy issues to educate our attendees how to advocate for more opportunity, more projects and more models that prove we can build new innovative solutions.

To learn more email Sharonc@mainstreetconnect.org, please help spread the word, and you can REGISTER HERE.

Omnium Circus, founded in 2020, is the first fully inclusive circus performing arts company. Our mission is to unite diverse communities through shared joy, laughter and inspiration. Omnium employs a cast of extraordinary talent which is inclusive, multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-abled. We are committed to employing people of all abilities in every aspect of our company. Fully 26% of our staff are persons with disabilities! A number we choose to maintain and grow as we develop. Omnium is a 501c3 nonprofit leading a global movement toward full diversity, equity, inclusion and access.

View the job announcement here.

Please contact Chelsea Kovacs, Secondary Transition Manager, at chelsea.kovacs@schooltalkdc.org.

The DC Secondary Transition Community of Practice supports DC youth with disabilities as they transition into a self-directed life. We are a city-wide, cross section of stakeholders who come together to strengthen our individual and collective ability for action.