Thursday, September 18, 2008

MnSCU Fall 2008 Disability Coordinators State Meeting and Northern Bridge Dinner

This fall, Mesabi Range Community and Technical College will partner with Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College to host the 2008 Fall MnSCU State Disability Coordinators meeting. We have chosen Friday, September 26th, as our meeting date and it will be held at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College http://www.fdltcc.edu/ (room to be announced). On Thursday, September 25th, we will be hosting another one of our Northern Bridge dinners (in Proctor, MN at Black Woods restuarant) and extend an open invitation to all of you to attend (www.northernbridge.blogspot.com).

For overnight travelers, we have 20 rooms on reserve for Thursday, September 25th at the American Inn in Proctor, MN (attached to the Black Woods restaurant where we hold our Northern Bridge dinners) and we could get a rate of $69.90 for a standard 2 queen room. The block of rooms is listed under MnSCU Dis Coord/Northern Bridge and are on hold until September 12. The contact number for the American Inn is 1-218-624-1026.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Photos from the Northern Bridge 2008 Conference Networking Dinners





Evaluations for the Northern Bridge 2008 Conference Networking Dinners

Results from Evaluations

Northern Bridge
Tools For Transition Dinners: Black Woods, Proctor, MN and Valentini's, Chisholm, MN


1. What was most beneficial about attending The Tools For Transition Dinner?
6 - C3 Information
19 - Tools for Transition Booklet
2 – Resources
16 – Networking with other professionals

2. How has this event assisted the individuals you work with during their transition to college?
2 – Materials to use in the transition process
3 – Connecting with resources
1 – Clarification on post-secondary requirements/services
1 – Awareness of how to work with students with disabilities
2 – Informing other educators about resources
4 – Sharing information with students
4 – Preparing students and parents for post secondary education
1 – C3 great to use for planning
3 – Good information
2 – Making connections with other service providers

3. Would you like to see these events continue? 27 - Yes No
Would you pay? 27 - Yes 1 – No 1 – Not sure
Keep costs low
Dues

4. What topics would you like to have addressed?
1 – How money affect students in transition
2 – Resources
1 – Transition grant writing, funding sources
1 – What can we do to follow up after students graduate
1 – Transitions earlier in students education that could facilitate mandated high school transition progress
1 – Formal interagency collaborative agreements
1 – Support for drop-outs who get a GED but don’t know where to go
1 – What affects at-risk students (suicide, alcohol, drugs)
1 – Changes in legislation regarding student support
2 – Anything transition related
2 – Information about placement roles in employment for students that graduate with a college degree
1 – Low IQ (<70) Kids sometimes slip through the cracks
1 – Some resources for DCD/CDM/CDS
1 – How to connect families to resources post high school
1 – Addressing concerns students and teachers face
1 – Students to share true stories and model projects/sharing stories
1 – Assessments for students with disabilities (what, where, cost)
1 – Funding issues for transitioning students
1 – Transition services available in the community/state
1 – Current rules & regulations for college students (reasonable accommodations)
1 – IEP transition

Comments:
2 – Great job
1 – Excellent job
2 – First time, great job
1 – Continue with current topics
1 – Would like to hear about other events/meetings
4 – Thanks for hard work, loved event
1 – Very informative

This program was made possible through a Center for Teaching and Learning grant with funding from the Office of the Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Tools for College

Tools for College: A Guide for Students with Disabilities

Please copy/paste the link below to access the pdf of Tools for College.

http://www.mr.mnscu.edu/disability_services/Tools_for_College.pdf

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Agenda for the Northern Bridge Spring 2008 Conference Networking Dinner

Black Woods Agenda

5:00-5:30 Social
5:30-5:45 Welcome and Introductions
5:45-6:15 Dinner
6:15-7:00 Jayne Spain, Department of Education
7:00-8:00 Tools for Transition Discussion

Valentini's Agenda

5:00-5:45 Social
5:45-6:45 Dinner
6:45-8:00 Tools for Transition

RSVP for the Northern Bridge Spring 2008 Conference Networking Dinner

The Northern Bridge Spring Conference Networking Dinner will be held on April 10, 2008 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Black Woods Restaurant in Proctor, Minnesota. We will be hosting another dinner on Thursday, April 17, 2008 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Valentini's Supper Club in Chisholm, Minnesota. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please feel free to contact Lindsay Grott at mailto:l.grott@mr.mnscu.edu, or 218-749-0319.

Please indicate which institution or agency from which you will be attending.

If you need accomodations, such as an interpreter, seat location or literature in an alternative format, please indicate that in your RSVP as well.

We hope to see you there!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Northern Bridge Dinner Evaluation Responses

Here is information about past Northern Bridge Dinners.

Past Topics of Conversation

Aspergers
What determines who receives transition services?
How do you energize parents to attend trainings?
Do you need a foreign language to go to college?
How do low functioning students do in college?
Describe placement exams or Accuplacer results.
Discuss student, school and parent expectations.
Describe the differences in services between high school and college.
Discuss changes in transition.
Discuss tips for student success.
Discuss skill building.
Discuss the financial aid process.

What did you find most beneficial about the dinner?

Networking, the group driven discussions, the Q & A sessions, finding out what is available for students at community and technical colleges, talking about current issues, learning about how to make transition successful, meeting new people, hearing about suggestions for best practices, meeting resources in our field, discussion about meeting workplace conditions, assistive technology discussion, hearing the concerns of others,and input from college professionals.

Changes/topics for future events?

Northern Bridge goes on the road to meet students and parents, invite students and parents, a universal IEP, a guest speaker, longer time for questions and answers, learn more about career programs (example MCIS), provide a list of accommodations that colleges will provide, post secondary admissions requirements, lists of contact people from the meetings, technology access, help with students transitioning straight to the workforce, discussion about veteran's services, brainstorm topics ahead of time and send in before dinner, specific disability focus, use website for further networking, more time for discussions, and learn about what is available for students who are not college bound.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Resources for Professionals, Students and Families

The following link contains resources for professionals working with individuals with disabliities, and students and their families. The resources are designed to assist in the transition process from secondary to post-secondary education. The topics include Thinking About College, Something is Different, Armed with Knowledge, Transitioning to College and Post Secondary Enrollment. If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay Grott at l.grott@mr.mnscu.edu or 1-218-749-0319.

Copy and paste the following link:

http://www.mr.mnscu.edu/disability_services/index.htm

Friday, October 26, 2007

Pictures of the 2007 Fall Disability Service Providers Conference





Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Pictures From The Spring 2007 Northern Bridge Networking Dinner





RSVP for the Northern Bridge Fall Conference Networking Dinner

The Northern Bridge Fall Conference Networking Dinner will be held on October 11, 2007 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Black Woods Restaurant in Proctor, Minnesota. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please feel free to contact Lindsay Grott at mailto:l.grott@mr.mnscu.edu, or 218-749-0319 or 218-744-7471.

Please indicate which institution or agency from which you will be attending.

If you need accomodations, such as an interpreter, seat location or literature in an alternative format, please indicate that in your RSVP as well.

We hope to see you there!

Disability Service Provider Fall Conference

Fall Conference
Northern Bridge Networking Dinner

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Fall Conference Northern Bridge Networking Dinner.

This event is founded on the principles of communication and bridging the gaps of service for people with disabilities. As a group of disability service providers we understand the importance of working together and providing as many plausible solutions for those we are committed to serving. Through the networking dinner, we can serve this special population of learners, adults or clients and we can craft a transitional mechanism to serve their needs.

Because we so strongly believe in the people we serve and what we do, Northern Bridge wrote a CTL (Center for Teaching and Learning) grant last spring. This grant would enable us to continue our networking, while addressing the needs of students transitioning into post-secondary education. We received the grant and as part of our goals, we committed to hosting four networking dinners/conferences this year and we are also in the process of writing a booklet that addresses the transitioning process.

We are very excited that we have the opporutnity to continue our efforts and look forward to our future collaborations.

Fall Conference
Northern Bridge Networking Dinner

Thursday October 11, 2007
Proctor Black Woods Convention Center
5:00 - 5:45 Social hour
5:45-6:45 Dinner
6:45-8:00 Meeting/Discussion

Monday, February 26, 2007

Third Annual Northern Bridge Networking Dinner

We are pleased to announce the third annual Northern Bridge networking dinner. This event is founded on the principles of communication and bridging the gaps of service for people with disabilities. As a group of disability service providers we understand the importance of working together and providing as many plausible solutions for those we are committed to serving. Through the networking dinner, we can serve this special population of learners, adults or clients and we can craft a transitional mechanism to serve their needs.

Northern Bridge Dinner

Thursday March 29, 2007
Proctor Blackwoods Convention Center
5:00 - 5:45 social hour and introductions
5:45-6:45 Dinner
6:45-8:00 Meeting/Discussion

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

RSVP for the Third Annual Northern Bridge Dinner

The Third Annual Northern Bridge Dinner will be held on March 29, 2007 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Black Woods Restaurant in Proctor, Minnesota. If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please feel free to contact David Dailey, mailto:d.dailey@mr.mnscu.edu, or 218-744-7471 or Lindsay Grott at mailto:l.grott@mr.mnscu.edu, or 218-749-0319.

Please indicate which institution or agency from which you will be attending, and if you are requesting a vegetarian meal option, please request via-e-mail.

If you need accomodations, such as an interpreter, seat location or literature in an alternative format, please indicate that in your RSVP as well.

We hope to see you there!

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Northern Bridge Partners

Center for Independent Living
Erin Fontaine
Roberta Cich

College of St. Scholastica
Heather Angelle

Department of Veteran's Affairs
Scott Jackson

Division of Vocational Rehab
Mike Meehan
Sharon LaRose

Duluth Business University
Ann Sertich

Duluth Public Schools Transition
Jeff Hallback

Fond du Lac Community College
Anita Hanson

Hibbing Community College
Sidra Buotto

Itasca Community College
Ann Vidovic

Lake Superior College
Georgia Robillard

Lighthouse for the Blind
Georgia Guite
Sandra Willmont

Mesabi Range Community and Technical College
David Dailey
Lindsay Grott

Northern Lights Special Education Coop
Steve Schoenbauer

Rainy River Community College
Mario Facciotto

Pine Technical College
Gloria Baker

Rehab Services

Kit Ruesch
Jeri Werner
Mary Schnell
Ken Norstrud
Darrell Rundell
Phyllis Adams
Sharon Johnson
John Fairbanks
Ray Griffin
Russell Wallner

State Services for the Blind
Shelly Frohrip

Strewler Rehabilitation Services
Karen Strewler

Superior Senior High School
Doreen Peterson

University of Minnesota Duluth
Pam Griffin
Judy Bromen
Penny Cragun
Nancy Diener

University of Wisconsin-Superior
Dr. Mary Lee Vance

Vermillion Community College
Donna Prichard

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Bill Elowson


Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Timothy Panula