Transition Age Youth Employment: Person-Centered Planning & Essential Work Skills

In this video, Abbie Whitney (Program Director) and Kari Chester (Employment Services Manager) from Easterseals Midwest discuss how parents, caregivers, and support systems can help transition-age youth successfully bridge the gap between high school and meaningful employment. Discover how to focus on an individual's strengths over their barriers, understand the immense benefits of person-centered planning, and explore practical ways families can build crucial, transferable workplace skills—like communication, teamwork, and time management, right from the comfort of home, school, or within the community. Whether you're a parent looking for actionable steps to guide your child or an educator seeking transition insights, this presentation provides the foundational guidance and tools necessary to help individuals cultivate independence and discover their full potential. Video Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction to Easter Seals & Transition Services 2:41 - Grounding Activity: Identifying Personal Strengths & Talents 4:10 - Why Building an Employment Vision Matters: Purpose & Independence 5:44 - Promoting Inclusion, Skill Development & Quality of Life 6:55 - The Benefits of Person-Centered Planning: Abilities over Barriers 8:37 - The Essential Role of Caregivers and Parents as Partners 9:21 - Creating Livable Plans and Tailoring Supports to the Individual 10:56 - Identifying Interests, Hobbies, and Meaningful Career Goals 12:20 - Real-World Examples: Successful Internship Match Stories 15:45 - Practical Practice: Using the "Charting the LifeCourse" Trajectory Tool 19:04 - Discussing Past Supports and Overcoming Personal Barriers 21:48 - Determining What You DO and DON'T Want in a First Job 24:00 - Audience Q&A: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Funding vs. Service Providers 25:40 - Transferable Work Skills You Can Build at Home (Cleaning, Laundry, Cooking) 27:10 - Cultivating Physical Stamina for the Workplace 27:45 - Building Professional Skills at School (Punctuality & Technology Literacy) 28:50 - Navigating Community Activities: Volunteering & Public Transportation Safety 31:00 - Interactive Strategies for Strengthening Communication Skills 33:28 - Teaching Teamwork and Accountability Through Everyday Tasks 35:41 - Empowering Independence vs. Enabling: Problem-Solving & Dealing with Failure 37:38 - Developing the Concept of Time and Management Tools 38:58 - Instilling Self-Advocacy: Helping Your Child Speak Up for Their Needs 40:54 - Professionalism and Shaping Impression Skills Q&A ALL HANDOUTS FROM THIS PRESENTATION CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...