PROBLEM:
Using a focus group process, problems were explored in detail during Year One, resulting in the identification of 20 specific, transition-related needs. Each project year, two Work Teams prioritize needs from these 20 to address. In Year Four, we are addressing six needs.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
We have two goals: (1) to build the self-determination skills of adolescents; and (2) to maximize the coordination of state and local educational services, health and medical services, and rehabilitation services. We have four objectives: (1) provide technical assistance to a minimum of two sites who are interested in implementing self-determination curricula; (2) hold an annual Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) for a minimum of 12 Student Delegates; (3) develop a minimum of 20 new “Fact Sheets” in Year Four and continue dissemination of those “Fact Sheets” developed in Years Two- Four in Year Five; and (4) continue the activities undertaken by the project’s two Work Teams.

METHODOLOGY:

Objective #1: In the final months of Year Three and the initial months of Year Four, a series of six workshops on self-determination was held across the state; a total of 57 professionals, family members, and consumers attended. Planning and marketing are underway for repetition of these workshops in Year Five; however, only three workshops will be held due to decreased need. During Year Four, four LEAs were accepted for technical assistance in choosing and using commercially-available self-determination curricula. One site dropped out of the technical assistance process midway; the remaining three LEAs are receiving technical assistance (i.e., on-site and telephone from project staff and telephone from the authors of the various curricula). Six applications have been received and are currently being reviewed for Year Five activities; as stated in the initial grant proposal and subsequent continuation proposals, a minimum of two sites will be accepted.

Objective #2: The Year Four LYF will be held July 22-26, 2000. A total of 38 youth from across the state have submitted applications to attend; a minimum of 12 will be selected. The most significant accomplishment associated with this objective has been the Governor’s Office on Disability Affairs’ commitment to continue the YLF following cessation of grant funding.

Objectives #3 and #4: Because the activities of the two Work Teams and the products are interrelated, updates on these objectives have been combined in this section.

Health and Medical Work Team. The final version of a health and medical resource guide for teenagers and their families was recently completed by this team and is being reviewed and edited by project leadership. It will be disseminated statewide in the final quarter of Year Four. In addition, the highly-evaluated, “Ready Resources for Residents”, a pocket guide to locally-available disability resources, is being updated and will also be disseminated to medical residents in the final quarter of Year Four. Lastly, the Work Team and project staff prioritized 25 new “Fact Sheets” for Year Four; 20 are currently being written and are on schedule for disseminat4on in the first quarter of Year Five . All “Fact Sheets” developed in Years Two - Four will continue to be disseminated by mail, by fax, at conferences and workshops in Year Five. In Year Four, they have also been made available on HDC’s webpage. (A total of 76 “Fact Sheets” have been developed by the project; of these, 24 were developed or will be developed in Year Four.) The YLF Work Team. In Year Four, the “YLF Facilitator’s Guide” the “YLF Student Delegate Workbook”, and the “Resource Guide” are being minimally revised based upon evaluation data from the project’s Year Three YLF. An alumni newsletter, “The FAN” has been created and was disseminated in Year Four to all Year Three Student Delegates and volunteers. “The FAN ” will continue to be developed and disseminated in Year Five.

COORDINATION:
The Management Team, has been re-titled the Sustainability Team, to reflect the project’s commitment to continuation of project activities. The team meets quarterly (instead of monthly), but continues to provide project oversight. Work Team chairs (project staff) continue to submit activity tracking data to the Project Coordinator for review by the Project Director and the Sustainability Team. No changes are proposed for Year Five.

EVALUATION:
Formative and summative evaluation activities detailed in the original grant application and in subsequent continuation proposals continue to be operational in Year Four, with minimal changes, and are proposed for continuation and completion in Year Five.

EXPERIENCE TO DATE:
To date, the project has accomplished all proposed activities and timelines. More adolescents than proposed are expected to attend the Year Four YLF. All evaluation data indicate positive progress in student outcomes and program capacity. Mechanisms for addressing identified problems are in process. No significant changes in project goals, objectives, or activities are proposed or anticipated in Year Five.

KEY WORDS:
adolescents with disabilities; self-determination; transition; youth leadership; youth in transition

[SUMMARY]

HRTW-LA SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES

HRTW – LA Summary of Project Activities

Project: Louisiana: Healthy and Ready to Work
Coordinator: Joan D. Guillory
State: Louisiana

Year four of HRTW projects. Ytd = October 1, 2000 to May 31, 2001
Cum. = October 1, 1997 to May 31, 2001

1. How many adolescents with special health care needs/disabilities have received training and/or support to promote self-determination and/or leadership skills? Ytd. 909; Cum. 2,888

• self-determination curricula field-test = 4 new sites (120 implementation students)
• Fact Sheet dissemination = 475
• “Health and Medical Issues for Transition-Age Adolescents with Disabilities and/or Health Care Needs: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Families” dissemination = 250
• “FAN” (Forum Alumni Newsletter) dissemination = 40
• 2001 Louisiana Youth Leadership Forum (LYLF) = 24 student delegates

What were the outcomes or effectiveness of this training?

• Comment cards from Guide and Fact Sheets = 100% positive feedback

How are the outcomes or effectiveness measured?

• Pre-/Post-Testing conducted for self-determination curricula field-test participants and LYLF student delegates
• Former LYLF student delegates applied and were selected to serve as volunteer staff for third annual LYLF
• Comment cards from Guide and Fact Sheets disseminated/returned

What types of training, support, or leadership skills were provided?

• Fact Sheet dissemination = 900
• “Health and Medical Issues for Transition-Age Adolescents with Disabilities and/or Health Care Needs: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Families” dissemination = 250
• 3/24/01 “Everyone Deserves a Medical Home” Conference = 50 family participants

What were the outcomes or effectiveness of this training?

• Conference evaluation conducted = positive feedback
• Comment cards from Guide and Fact Sheets = 100% positive feedback

In what manner has this training/support been delivered?

• 3/24/01 “Everyone Deserves a Medical Home” Conference = 200 professional participants
• Fact Sheet dissemination = 2,000
• Health and Medical Issues for Transition-Age Adolescents with Disabilities and/or Health Care Needs: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Families” dissemination = 500

Has there been follow-up?

• Yes, comment cards from Guide and Fact Sheets disseminated/returned

What has been its effectiveness?

• Conference evaluation conducted = positive feedback
• Comment cards from Guide and Fact Sheets = 100% positive feedback

5. How many are in a training program (actively preparing) for employment? NA

Describe the types of training and preparation.

6. How many of the youth directly served by your project have access to a medical home as a result of project activities? NA

Describe.

7. How many youth with special health needs have transitioned from a pediatric to adult health care provider as a result of the project? NA

Describe.

8. How many of the youth directly served by your project have a source of insurance for primary and specialty care as a result of project activities? NA

Explain.

9. Have there been any changes in policies at the state or local levels that have occurred as a result of project activities? If yes, please describe briefly.

Yes

No changes since last report.

10. What has been accomplished (established, done) to increase the extent to which service systems are comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered, community-based, and culturally competent?

Full-day conference “Every Child Deserves a Medical Home” conducted 3/24/01

11. What has been your most significant project activity to date?

• Training: Participation in 3/24/01 “Every Child Deserves a Medical Home” Conference
• Activities: Louisiana Youth Leadership Forum (3rd one to be held 7/01) and self-determination curricula being taught in 18 sites statewide
• Products: “Health and Medical Issues for Transition-Age Adolescents with Disabilities and/or Health Care Needs: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Families” and a series of almost 70 1-page Fact Sheets on transition-related issues

12. Are there any other significant project activities or outcomes that have not been addresses?

Improved working relationship with CSHS

[FINAL REPORT]
HRTW-LA FINAL REPORT

(Not Available)