A parent group dedicated to helping
parents understand transition services
and issues for teens and young adults
with disabilities

Meetings are scheduled
every second Saturday of the month
9:30 to 11:00 am
at Millbrook Exchange Community Center
1905 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh

Get Directions to Millbrook Exchange Community Center by entering your starting point:

Light refreshments will be served

HISTORY

When Kathy Honeyman moved to Raleigh five years ago, she went about identifying community resources for her teenage daughter, Rebecca. Having been assisted in many ways by The Arc of Monmouth County in New Jersey, she decided to contact The Arc of Wake County. There she was advised to start planning for her daughter’s future. Kathy began to realize that as children with disabilities become teenagers and young adults, a new set of issues emerges in every area of development and lifestyle. Social, emotional, safety, recreational, financial, housing, vocational and advocacy concerns needed to be addressed. Eventually, the idea for monthly meetings, where parents and professionals could come together to talk about some of these transitions, came to light. “Teen to Adulthood” was born.

With the help of other parents and area professionals the meetings started to take shape. Today, Teen to Adulthood boasts over 400 people on its mailing list. The group has covered issues including SSI, Vocational Rehabilitation, CAP services and registering our teens/young adults to vote in upcoming elections. The program is free of charge and offers a casual, friendly and supportive atmosphere for networking with other parents and professionals, while learning valuable information from community providers and experts in their areas.

Looking for things to do in our area?
Click here for a list of great community activities

2009-2010 Guest Speakers and Topic:

September 12
Yasmine White, Voices Together
A small group setting designed to help students and young adults with social skills.

October 10
Lynn Mindell, Vocational Rehabilitation
Finding the right employment opportunity for your student. Are you frustrated at the lack of job opportunities for your student? Are you pressuring your student to “just find a job”? Come learn why it’s important to use supported employment services to make your match skills and interests with a job opportunity.

November 14
Dr. Lin Sikich, Associate Professor, Psychiatry, UNC Hospital and Director of The ASPIRE Research Program
Come hear about the latest advances in the field of Autism and other developmental disabilities. Learn about the research programs going on now at UNC and how you may be able to participate in research that will directly benefit your child.

December 12
Suzanne Goerger, Wake County Human Services
Changes in the State Medicaid Waiver – how cuts in programs and services will affect you and your child

January 9
Kathy Honeyman, MSW
From Despair to Advocacy – Learning how to not become a victim but using the circumstances to become an effective advocate for your student

February 13
Meeting cancelled due to snow

March 13
Julia Leggett, Policy Analyst for The Arc of NC
The state budget has cut millions of dollars for services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Learn about how these cuts were made and also come prepared to hear more on the new Medicaid Waiver Tiered System. The waiting list of over 700 individuals in Wake County is going to get a lot smaller!

April 10
Susan Hartley, Life Plan Trust
EVERYTHING you need to know about Social Security benefits. The maze for benefits is so complicated, you probably didn’t even know which questions to ask. Susan is an expert in estate planning and social security benefits. Learn the inside information needed to increase the standard of living for your transitioning teen while maintaining eligibility for benefits.

May 8
Linda Hatcher, Beyond Academics
Did you know your student with a developmental disability can attend college? Learn about this unique campus-based program for students with developmental disabilities at UNC Greensboro.

The Arc of Wake County acknowledges the donation of The Rotary Club of Raleigh for their sponsorship of the 2009-2010 Teen To Adulthood Education Series.