“Independent Futures That Work” is a joint project of Parent Centers across Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. This center will provide training and information that will empower and support youth in transition to access independent living and employment as they transition to adult lives. This project supports youth, their families, and professionals to improve their capacity to support youth with disabilities on their journey.
Check out the Independent Futures That Work Webpage: https://www.independentfuturesthatwork.com/
Resources
For National Resources Click Here!
Independent Futures that Work provides transition resources that will:
Help individuals and families explore future options including transitioning to independent living, employment, and education. This program provides assistance through trainings and workshops, resource downloads, and through individual assistance.
Learn Independently
| Resource Name | Website/Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Engage AL Transition App | www.engageal.com | This app will help you create a Transition Plan. Designed for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). |
| Smith Group Behavioral Consulting | www.smithgroupbc.com | Services include helping parents better understand their child’s diagnosis and how they best learn. Team specializes in development of ABA-based interventions to improve overall quality of life. |
| Passage USA | www.southalabama.edu | Passage USA Transition Initiative: The Transition Initiative aims to make the special education process clear to parents so that they can be active, engaged, and knowledgeable participants in all of their children’s individualized education meetings, especially those focused on transitioning from school to adulthood. Contact passage@southalabama.edu if you are interested in a Zoom or face-to-face meeting for your class, your parents, or yourself to discuss transition or PASSAGE USA. |
| National Resources | Click Here | Check out the national Resources available to you about learning independently for a youth. |
Live Independently
| Resource Name | Website/Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Alabama Down Syndrome Society | www.dssmobile.org | The Ice Breakers: The Ice Breakers offers fun activities for teens and young adults with Down Syndrome. Along with get-togethers, this group also participates in community service projects like cooking meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Mobile. More information contact Tillina Swain and Jackie Penn |
| ARC of Baldwin County | www.arcbaldwincounty.org | ARC Baldwin County provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Baldwin County. They offer skill training and recreational activities. Activities include training in pre-vocational skills, daily living skills, computer skills, personal care, communication, recreation, physical fitness, sensory skills, music, arts, and crafts. |
| National Resource | Click Here | Check out the National Resources for you concerning living independently. |
Work Independently
| Resource Name | Website/Link | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services | www.rehab.alabama.gov/home | ADRS’s largest division, VRS provides individualized employment-and-education-related services and training to assist youth and adults with disabilities achieve their employment goal. |
| Cindy Haber Center | www.cindyhabercenter.com | Supported Employment Milestones Program of Baldwin County: The Supported Employment Milestones program provides initial and long-term support to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities be successful in the workforce. |
| National Resources | Click Here | Check out the national resources available for youth regarding working independently. |
Advisory Committee
Are you interested in being part of Alabama’s Advisory Committee? Contact Katrina Wellborn kwellborn@alabamaparentcenter.com or call 334-567-2252. We would love to have you!
Upcoming Advisory Meetings
– November 18, 2021 at 2:00pm (Central Time)
– February 24, 2022 at 2:00pm (CT)
– May 26, 2022 at 2:00pm (CT)
– August 25, 2022 at 2:00pm (CT)
Members of the Independent Futures That Work Advisory Committee:
Previous committee meetings coming soon to view. Click Here. (This link requires a password to enter).
Find Independent Futures That Work on social media!
Project Partners
Visit our Partner Sites.
- Alabama: The Alabama Parent Education Center (you’re already there!)
- Arkansas: The Center for Exceptional Families
- Louisiana: Families Helping Families
- Mississippi: Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma Parent Center
- Texas: Partners Resource Network
Questions?
Have questions? Contact us at 334-567-2252 or email apec@alabamaparentcenter.com
Independent Futures that Work is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS)