Send us a text

(Coming Soon) Help Support the show; Buy us a cup of ☕️

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
- Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
- Post-Secondary Transition Facebook page.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
- Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
- Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

This week, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue to talk with Donna Pidel and Adebayo (Bayo) Sodunke from "The Difference 2-17." This time, their discussion focuses on The Difference 2-17's emphasis on personalized care, community inclusion, and the importance of giving individuals a voice; they stress the importance of being in the heart of towns for accessibility and how that is essential for inclusion. They cover overcoming challenges including maintaining quality as they expand and the desire to address housing needs. Join in the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
community creation, self-directed services, Alexander, legacy, personal touch, engagement, member happiness, housing challenges, staff training, quality control, community inclusion, parental trust, member progress, genuine relationships, organization growth

Links:
The Difference 2-17 (site)
Self Direction (page)

(Coming Soon) Help Support the show; Buy us a cup of ☕️

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
- Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
- Post-Secondary Transition Facebook page.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
- Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
- Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

This week, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) interview Donna Pidel and Adebayo (Bayo) Sodunke from "The Difference 2-17. Their discussion covers how the program focuses on self-direction and community building; emphasizing the importance of independence, relationships, and a supportive environment. They talk about how the program has grown from a small initiative to multiple sites, with strong partnerships. They highlight the significance of building a community that cares for and supports its members, ensuring they are never alone. Join in the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
transition, self-direction, autism, community building, skill enrichment, independent skills, volunteer opportunities, parental support, cultural shift, relationship building, job progression, member engagement, neurodiversity acceptance, legacy creation, partnerships

Links:
The Difference 2-17 Team (site)
Self Direction (page)
Shiny Shell (site)
Mommy Magic Cakes (site)
Blossom & Basket Boutique (site)
Ace Hardware (site)
The Last Word (site)
Mt. Airy Commons (site)
Shepherds Purse Alpacas (site)
Wagner’s Meat Market (site)
Mt. Airy Lanes (site)
The Kiwanis Club of Mt. Airy (site)

(Coming Soon) Help Support the show; Buy us a cup of ☕️

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
- Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
- Post-Secondary Transition Facebook page.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
- Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
- Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) invite Zabrina Kearns to have a discussion with them about what transition looks like for families in her New Jersey district. Zabrina shares out from her extensive background in special education, applied behavior analysis and her current roles as Work-Based Learning supervisor, & transition coordinator. The trio discuss the differences in transition programs and outcomes between states, the importance of independent living skills, and the challenges parents face in navigating post-high school options for their children with disabilities. Their conversation considers the importance of teaching soft skills like professionalism & interactions, the need for students to gain experience in various industries, the complexities of funding and the need for better communication with families about available resources through local DD and VR agencies. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
diploma, program, work, New Jersey, districts, community, special education, participants, IEP, DVRS, transition, students, coordinator, families, learning, jobs, DDD, career, graduate, community, volunteer, challenges

Links:
Pascack Valley Regional High School District Transition Resources (site)
University of Kansas Master Program in Secondary Education & Transition (site)
Charting the LifeCourse (site)
New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (site)
Trying to find your states Rehabilitation Agency? Look for it here.
Project Search (site)

(Coming Soon) Help Support the show; Buy us a cup of ☕️

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
- Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
- Post-Secondary Transition Facebook page.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
- Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
- Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue their conversation with educator, supervisor and transition coordinator Zabrina Kearns. They cover the importance of teaching soft skills like professionalism & interactions, the need for students to gain experience in various industries, the complexities of funding and the need for better communication with families about available resources through local DD and VR agencies. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
DVRS, transition, students, coordinator, families, learning, jobs, DDD, career, graduate, community, volunteer, challenges

Links:
University of Kansas Master Program in Secondary Education & Transition (site)
Charting the LifeCourse (site)
New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (site)
Trying to find your states Rehabilitation Agency? Look for it here.
Project Search (site)
Pascack Valley Regional High School District Transition Resources (site)

(Coming Soon) Help Support the show; Buy us a cup of ☕️

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
- Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
- Post-Secondary Transition Facebook page.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
- Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
- Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) invite Zabrina Kearns to have a discussion with them about what transition looks like for families in her New Jersey district. Zabrina shares out from her extensive background in special education, applied behavior analysis and her current roles as Work-Based Learning supervisor, & transition coordinator. The trio discuss the differences in transition programs and outcomes between states, the importance of independent living skills, and the challenges parents face in navigating post-high school options for their children with disabilities. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
transition, diploma, program, students, work, New Jersey, districts, community, special education, participants, IEP

Links:
Pascack Valley Regional High School District Transition Resources (site)

(Coming Soon) Help Support the show; Buy us a cup of ☕️

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
- Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
- Post-Secondary Transition Facebook page.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
- Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
- Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) are back for Season 3! At the start of the upcoming school year, they continue their discussion of what transition can look like during junior year. They talk about considerations around applying for medical assistance and Social Security, healthcare transitions, the importance of financial planning, career exploration and never forgetting the importance of those basic independent living skills (for all levels). Join us in the conversation.

Episode Keywords:
students, families, transition, junior year, resources, college, discussion, update, IEP

Links:
Certificate Track (page)
Diploma Track (page)
Medical Assistance
Guardianship (page)
Guardianship Alternatives (page)
YouTube channel
ThinkCollege.net (site)
Disability support offices- college (more info)
Jobshadow (site)

Again, a special shout out to fellow podcasters Ashley Barlow and Mary Cardle for allowing us to share some of their content on our feed while we prepped for this upcoming school year. Make sure to click on the following links and hit the subscribe button:
- Special Education Advocacy with Ashley Barlow
- T21Mom Podcast.

(Coming Soon) Help Support the show; Buy us a cup of ☕️

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
- Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
- Post-Secondary Transition Facebook page.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
- Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
- Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

As hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue to prep for their upcoming school year, they wanted to share out a conversation from their friend, Mary Cardle of the T21Mom Podcast.

In Episode 90 of T21Mom Podcast, Mary talks with author Meeka Caldwell about her "My Friend Anian" book series. Meeka couldn't find any books about down syndrome and a black family, so she decided to write her own. It's an open conversation about race, down syndrome and having representation.

You can find Mary’s podcast on all the major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and her website; give her a listen and hit that subscribe button!
Find Meeka's books at BrownBaby321.com or any online retailer.

Thanks so much to Mary for her permission to share out her conversation!

(Coming Soon) Help Support the show; Buy us a cup of ☕️

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
- Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
- Post-Secondary Transition Facebook page.
- Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
- Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
- Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.