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YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS

Summer Opportunity for Current and Former Education Professionals 

It's time for a win-win. BEST STEP Skills Trainers (BSST's) are needed across the state this summer. Intended for youth with disabilities, BEST STEP is a program made up of a week-long classroom session (BEST) that prepares students for succeeding at work, followed by STEP, an optional multiple week paid summer internship. 

BEST STEP Skills Trainers assist participants in the STEP internship portion of the program by providing 'job coaching' style assistance. It is imperative that the BEST STEP Skills Trainers are knowledgeable and passionate about working with students with disabilities. Quite often, Special Education professionals such as Paraprofessionals, Teachers, and administrators are a great fit for this role given their extensive knowledge and experience. 

Working as a BEST STEP Skills Trainer this summer will continue to enhance collaborative efforts with employers and success across the state for students with disabilities. It is important to have qualified staff in all areas statewide, so students will be able to gain valuable job skills while earning money themselves.

Please consider applying to work as a BEST STEP Skills Trainer this summer. It is a true win-win. Details for what to expect and how to apply can be found in the BEST STEP Skills Trainer flyer below. 

Click here to open the BEST STEP Skills Trainer Flyer

Stay Up-to-date with Transition

April 2024: Strengthening Families Together; 8th Bi-Annual Collaborative Convening

Multiple state agencies participating in the upcoming event. The collaborative convening will be hosted by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, the Oklahoma Human Services, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The purpose of this event is to engage stakeholders in the redesign of service delivery in Oklahoma, with the goal of promoting the health, safety, and well-being of children, youth, and their families.

The convening will feature informative updates from state leaders, who will highlight the systems transformation and cross-systems coordination efforts that are being used to align the health and human services systems. The objective is to develop a Child and Family Well-Being Network that will ensure the safety of children, strengthen families, and preserve culture, family, and community.

All participants of the upcoming event will hear from a panel of leaders from each hosting agency. Please submit a question on the registration form to be considered for the panel discussion. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to network with other attendees and share your feedback as you discuss strategies for designing pathways and removing systemic barriers to address statewide community needs. 

Registration is required to attend this convening. Please use the provided registration link to register if you have not already done so.  

Date and Time:

Monday, April 15, 2024
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Location:

2833 Conference Drive
Edmond, OK 73034

Click here for the 8^th Bi-Annual Collaborative Convening Registration Link

Summer 2024: Volunteer at Sibling Camp

Sooner SUCCESS will be hosting our 3rd annual Sibling Camp on May 29-
31st in Wewoka Oklahoma. They are looking for highly motivated volunteers
who want to create a fun and engaging space for people with
intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or special health care needs.

What Volunteers do:
Provide one on one support and assistance
Play games, STEM/outdoor activities
Arts and crafts
Eat delicious food
Help campers have a great experience

Requirements:
18+ years of age
Must pass a background check
Will work with people with special healthcare needs and/or sibling

If you are interested in volunteering, you can sign up online using the link below or by contacting Samantha Basave at Samantha-basave@ouhsc.edu or by phone at 405-593-9266.

Click here to sign up as a volunteer for 2024 Sibling Camp

TechNow STEM Camp

TechNow STEM Camp is open to Oklahoma students with disabilities, ages 14-19 who are on an IEP or 504 Plan or who have other documented physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities. At STEM Camp, students will learn different ways to interact with computers, software, and related technologies to design and create: Power Racer dragster, HT Racer, full color patches for jackets, pants, and shirts.

They will get to make shirts, hats, mouse pads, pin back buttons, and bracelets. Students will develop new skills while interacting with peers and making memories that will last a lifetime. The camp is held from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. over three days. Below are the dates and locations of the currently planned STEM Camps for Summer 2024:

Ada STEM Camp:

Monday – Wednesday, June 10-12, 2024

Ada-Pontotoc Technology Center

601 W. 33rd St., Ada, OK 74820

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Ada STEM Camp Flyer

Lawton STEM Camp:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, June 17, 18, 20, 2024

Life Ready Center

702 NW Homestead Dr,

Lawton, OK 73505

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Lawton STEM Camp Flyer

Tulsa STEM Camp

Monday – Wednesday, June 24-26, 2024

Central Church of the Nazarene

7291 East 81st Street, Tulsa, OK, 74133

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Tulsa STEM Camp Flyer

Davis STEM Camp:

Tuesday – Thursday, July 9-11, 2024

Davis High School

400 E. Atlanta St.

Davis, Ok 73030

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Davis STEM Camp Flyer

Atoka STEM Camp:

Monday – Wednesday, July 22-24, 2024

Atoka-Kiamichi Technology Center

1763 W. Liberty Rd., Atoka, OK 74525

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Atoka STEM Camp Flyer

Skiatook STEM Camp:

Monday – Wednesday, July 15-17, 2024

Newman Middle School Gymnasium

2000 W. Oak St.

Skiatook, OK 74070

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Skiatook STEM Camp Flyer

Tulsa Area and Oklahoma City Area Transition Fairs

NEW resource! Anyone can learn about transition (resource) fairs happening in both the Greater Tulsa and the Greater Oklahoma City areas.  The calendars can be accessed from a computer through the following links:

Click here for Tulsa area transition fairs

Click here for Oklahoma City area transition fairs 

Student/Youth Spotlight

Meet Dayne Serving and inspiring Oklahoma's students with disabilities is our passion; our purpose.  Each month, we hope to highlight a student whose story encourages others. We have learned that one of the best ways to hear about our most amazing students is from those that spend time with them everyday. So, we encourage family members, education professionals and transition professionals to tell us about students who are doing amazing things. Recently, Tracy Keeley met with Dayne, a 2022 graduate of Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa and Intern with Project SEARCH. They talked about many things including life, work, hobbies, and goals for the future. Dayne has a very positive outlook. He is a great example of success despite facing challenges.  You can read highlights of the conversation with him below: What are your interests and hobbies? Dayne enjoys playing videos games and playing basketball. What activity do you enjoy the most during the winter?  In the winter, he likes to play in the snow and building snowmen. What is your preferred winter drink?  His favorite winter drink is hot chocolate with marshmallows. If I were to provide you with $50,000 to create a positive impact in your community, how would you use it to bring about meaningful change? If he were given $50,000, he would work at home and give money to those who needed it. Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities?  In high school, Dayne was the team manager for his high school basketball team. Could you share your experience with the Project SEARCH program?  He has participated in two of the three job rotations in the program.  During the two rotations, he worked on 7 West and 6 West. What is something you learned from the Project SEARCH program?  The project SEARCH program has helped Dayne learn the job duties and routine on 6 West and 7 West. What are your plans after you complete Project SEARCH? Dayne would like to get a job after he completes the Project SEARCH program. What is your dream career?  His dream career is to work in a video store or get a job with the NBA. Can you share one challenge you've faced due to your disability and how you managed to overcome it? One challenge he faces is getting up on time.  He used an alarm to help overcome this struggle. What advice or tips would you like to share with other youth that may be interested in the Project SEARCH program? Dayne’s advise to other youth is to ask for help when they are struggling. What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?  To be a good worker. What would you like the world to know about you?  He is a good basketball player. Is there anyone specific you'd like to give a shoutout to? All of his friends.

How to nominate a Student:  

If you know a current or former student who has participated in Transition events or who has found success through Transition services, please let us know by submitting this nomination form.

Transition Resources

Sibshops

Sibshops are opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities or mental health concerns, to obtain peer support and education within a recreational context. The workshops are lively, pedal-to-the-metal celebrations of the many contributions made by brothers and sisters. 

Sibshops acknowledge that being the brother or sister of a person with special needs is for some, a good thing, for others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in between.  

Sibshops are 3 hour events open to school-aged children 5-15, generally held monthly during the school year, offering lively, recreational activities facilitated by trained volunteers.  Information and discussion activities are interspersed with fun games and age-appropriate programming.

Sibshops understand the key role siblings play in providing natural supports for brothers and sisters with special healthcare concerns throughout their life span.

For more information on Sibshops, on how to start your own Sibshops, or to get connected with a Sibshops in your community contact Samantha Basave, Statewide Sibling Support Coordinator, at Samantha-Basave@ouhsc.edu or by phone at 405-593-9266.

Oklahoma Family Network (OFN)

The Oklahoma Family Network (OFN) informs and connects individuals with special health care needs and disabilities, their families, and professionals to services and support in their communities.

OFN areas of support include emotional support - through support groups and connecting with other families, resources and training - through resources directory training and workshops, and leadership and advocacy - through the Joining Forces conference and state and national advocacy work. Learn more about OFN on their website. 

Click here to visit OFN website

Grant Opportunities

Here are some exciting grant opportunities to be aware of:

Casey’s Cash for Classrooms Grants

• Grants will range from $3000 to a maximum of $50,000 with funds used within 12 months of award.
• An organization may only submit one application during the current cycle.  A school can receive more than one donation if submitted by different organizations.
• A K-12 public or nonprofit private schools in Casey’s 16-state footprint are eligible to apply.
• Grant applications can be found at https://www.caseys.com/community/cash-for-classrooms-grants .

Reiman Foundation

• The Reiman Foundation will accept, review, and make decisions on grant applications on an ongoing, rolling basis throughout the year.  The Foundation aim is to review and process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible.  There are no set deadlines for submitting grant applications.
• Primary interests lie in supporting four types of endeavors—education, health care, the arts, and children’s initiative.
• Grant applications can be found at https://www.reimanfoundation.org

Meet Rachel

Rachel Brown serves in a leadership role as a Program Manager covering many areas in Northwest Oklahoma. She joined DRS in 2017 as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor where she helped many people with disabilities get connected with valuable resources and services. She has earned opportunities for advancement through hard work and dedication.

Rachel grew up in Blackwell, Oklahoma. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Early in her career she worked as an educator there where she helped students prepare for their transition to upcoming opportunities in life. Realizing she has a heart for helping others, she earned a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with the goal of continuing her work in a helping field. Lucky for DRS, Vocational Rehabilitation ended up becoming the helping field where Rachel landed.

Rachel lets a couple of sayings guide her in her work and in life. They are, “attitude guides where we will go in life” and you can either be bitter or be better.” She believes that through a positive outlook and with positive people in their corner, anyone can overcome challenges. That is a wonderful spirit for DRS team members to embody. We are lucky to have her on the team.

Rachel Brown
Program Manager

Vocational Rehabilitation

580-231-6578

RBrown@okdrs.gov

Meet Marquetta

Marquetta Autry is a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Program Specialist with the University of Oklahoma. She has been in that role for over 10 months and tells us she loves what she does. She developed a passion for helping others who face disability-related challenges when she was young and would feel compelled to show kindness to classmates and peers who had disabilities. Marquetta was born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma but considers herself more of a native of Norman.  

Prior to joining the Pre-ETS team, she worked in different roles assisting adults with disabilities in a residential setting, she also spent time working as a Job Coach and as a Paraprofessional. She has learned many valuable lessons in her career about the importance of kind, caring, and capable people working with those in the disability community.

Marquetta is a talented and creative professional who believes in her mission to serve students with disabilities. She is at a place in her career that will allow her to grow in the field of Pre-Employment Transition Services for many years to come. We are lucky to have Marquetta as part of our team.

Marquetta Autry
Pre-Employment Transition Services Program Specialist

University of Oklahoma

ph. 405-515-9337

Marquetta@ou.edu

What is Transition?

The Transition program provides services to prepare students with disabilities for employment and life after high school. Services may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, on-the-job training, work-study, and job development and placement. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired divisions jointly run the Transition program so the youth can easily move into adult services when it is time.

Contact Us:

Renee Sansom Briscoe
rsansom@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-951-3488

Chris Compton
ccompton@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-605-9651

Tracy Keeley
Tracy.Keeley@okdrs.gov
Phone: 918-581-2322

Kevin Randall II 
krandall@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-255-9663

We can help create the blueprint for your youth’s success