John Volonts
Grant To Program Administrator |
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One of our goals with Person Centered Planning is to utilize technology
to improve the communication between parents and school districts. An extension of the concept is the creation of the Person Centered Planning web site which would act as a forum for parents to talk to other parents and for students to talk to other students. This will allow access to resources and information that otherwise wouldn't be as readily available to students and parents. This format could also be utilized for parents and school districts to converse with one another.
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Carol Sherwood
Social Worker At Eastern Suffolk BOCES
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I think as a result of this grant we were able to examine our own values a little more closely. We were able to examine our own attitudes towards students with disabilities. Sometimes we think these students are limited in what they can do. Using this grant and being able to plan for them, we are better able to understand that they can really do many, many things. Things we would have never thought they could do. |
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Brian McIlvain
Coordinator Long
Island Transition Site At Eastern Suffolk BOCES |
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The districts provide a wealth of information, with a wealth of professionals, who each have an important role in Person Centered Planning. The Person Centered Planning process pulls it all together. It brings all of the pieces and all of the information to the table, on a regular basis. It focuses on the aspirations of the individual and aligns the resources, so the child can reach his/her dreams. It is important that the dreams then coincide with the support as the child transitions to adult services. |
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Lynn Russo-Healy
Eastern Suffolk BOCES Co-Coordinator
Person Centered Plannning Grant |
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I personally work directly with the students and the designated school districts.
I visit the schools and attend Person Centered Planning meetings. From those meetings, we begin to understand the individuality of that particular student involved in the program. And what their hopes and dreams are for themselves for the future. |
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Carol Blessing
Cornell
University Program on Unemployment and Disabilites Project Coordinator |
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The underlying values that go hand in hand with a program like this is that students of all ages, students of all classifications whether they've been classified as general or special education, are kids who deserve, and who have the right to have the kind of education that's preparing them for functional and successful adulthood. The distinctions and labels are meaningless when we look at the outcome of helping kids make appropriate adult choices based on who they are, and in the content of how they want to live. |
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Denise Botte
Teacher Eastern Suffolk BOCES St. Charles Learning
Center |
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Person Centered Planning affected me in the way I would look at and listen to what the students wishes were, and where they would like to ultimately end up. It influenced me in dealing with the the staff. Realizing and working together, no matter what the goal was it was a way for the student to obtain their goals. |
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Linda Kolowich
Parent South Country School District |
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The Person Centered Program has made a difference in my daughter.
She is 18 years old, and has changed a lot this passed year. She is expressing herself, and she's more outgoing than what she was. Her ability to speak more freely about what she feels is remarkable growth for her. I am more open to listening and working with her, to help her become all that she wants to be. |
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Tom Mangiamele
Teacher South Country School District |
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Work sites were arranged for the students in the private work sector in our community. The kids worked for about an hour and a half a week. They were doing various duties, getting experience with job shadowing. The Person Centered Planning really does have an active part on where the kids will go in life, in this way it will be a little more meaningful and a more enjoyable experience. |
