Y-TAC Webinar: Supporting Youth who are Experiencing Homelessness: Achieving Employment through Vocational Rehabilitation and Other Partners

Supporting Youth who are Experiencing Homelessness:

Achieving Employment through Vocational Rehabilitation and Other Partners

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST

Register here

This webinar will provide an overview of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program and national partners serving homeless youth, such as the National Network For Youth (NN4Y).To continue promoting the philosophy of Youth Voice  in discussions involving youth service delivery, the highlight of this webinar will be a youth panel. Participants will learn about the services available through VR and best practice for VR and agencies serving Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) and from the youth themselves about what works best for them.

Learning Objectives:

• Knowledge of the VR Program governing rules and regulations;
• Knowledge of types of services available for VR eligible individuals;
• Knowledge of national RHY program governing rules and regulations;
• Define “Youth Voice” and how it can be applied with agencies serving youth and students with disabilities;
• Understand the value of the inclusion of Youth Voice in planning activities for youth;
• Understanding of best practice for VR and agencies serving RHY;
• Introduction to resources available to professionals serving youth with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness.

Presenters:

Kim Osmani is an Extension Associate at Cornell University’s Yang-Tan Institute serving as a Technical Assistance Liaison on the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Youth Technical Assistance Center (Y-TAC) and a team member of the Office of Disability and Employment Policy (ODEP) Youth Policy Center. Kim provides technical assistance, training, and support to state VR agencies. Kim has extensive experience working with youth with disabilities–first as a special education teacher for 10 years, then as an Associate State Director of Special Education Services at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and finally as the Statewide Transition Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. She holds two master’ degrees—in special education and educational administration, and is currently completing her dissertation toward earning her doctorate in special education–transition. Kim Chairs the Oklahoma Transition Council, is Chair of the Division on Career Development and Transition’s (DCDT) Policy and Advocacy Committee, and serves on the Citizens for Children and Families Council.

Andrew Palomo is the Director of Community Strategies at the National Network for Youth (NN4Y).  He has over 15 years of experience working with runaway and homeless youth (RHY).  He began his career as overnight staff for a transitional living program and youth shelter in Pennsylvania.  Andrew has held many positions in RHY programs from case manager to therapist to supervisor. Andrew supervised a maternity group home where he was responsible for the well-being of 12 parenting and pregnant young people.

Karin Grandon is a Technical Assistance Liaison for the Youth Technical Assistance Center (YTAC) at the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) in Washington, D.C. Ms. Grandon has an M.A. in Special Education and Rehabilitation from the University of Arizona (U of A), all but her dissertation in Rehabilitation Counseling through the U of A, and a certificate in Rehabilitation Administration from San Diego State University.