Transition Tidbits

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out what SAMHSA is doing, share their materials, and remember that we all play vital roles in caring for our mental health!

Overall Theme: See the Person. Support the Journey.

Mental health is part of everyday life. It shapes how we think, feel, connect with others, and move through the world. This year’s theme highlights the importance of:

• Noticing early signs of mental health concerns
• Strengthening the support around us
• Responding with care and compassion during challenging moments

Mental health touches every part of life — from housing and work to relationships and community. When mental health challenges arise, they often intersect with substance use, and whole person care that addresses both is essential to lasting recovery and well-being.

(SAMHSA, 2026)

Explore

Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness adn Resiliency in Education)

TISS (Trauma-Informed Support Services)

Talk. They Hear You.

Located in Pittsburgh, NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, adolescents, adults, and families affected by mental illness through recovery-focused support, education, and advocacy.

You can locate your local NAMI affiliate, access peer and family support, contact the NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania Helpline or access crisis services.

In addition, requests for presentations can be made for NAMI's various education programs.

Many transition assessments now include psychosocial and emotional components, such as:

• Independent living skills inventories
• Student interest inventories that include “stress management” and “coping” domains
• Functional behavior + coping assessments

Examples include but are not limited to:

• Enderle-Severson Transition Rating Scale (ESTR)
• Transition Planning Inventory (TPI)
• Brigance Transition Skills Inventory

💡 Why it matters:
These tools help teams identify when mental health supports should be explicitly built into the IEP.

Self-determination is one of the strongest predictors of post-school success—and it is tightly linked to mental health.

Useful tools include:

• PaTTAN's Student Led IEP Process
• Whose Future Is It Anyway?
• Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI)

These tools help students:

• Identify stress triggers and support needs
• Communicate mental health accommodations
• Build confidence and autonomy (protective for anxiety and depression)

💡 Mental health connection: Students who can self-advocate are more likely to seek help early and manage stress effectively during transition.

The Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework provides a powerful way to center mental health and emotional well-being within transition planning by shifting the focus from services alone to the whole life of the individual. Instead of starting with eligibility or programs, CtLC begins with the person’s vision of a “good life” and then explores what supports are needed to achieve it. The framework organizes thinking around key life domains, including daily life and employment, community living, social and spiritual connections, safety and advocacy, and healthy living. Within these domains, mental health is not treated as a separate system but as an integrated part of everyday life—connected to relationships, routines, environments, and opportunities for participation. This helps teams and families recognize that emotional wellness is influenced by access to supportive relationships, meaningful activities, predictable environments, and opportunities for choice and control.

CtLC also offers practical tools that directly support mental health within transition planning. Tools such as the Life Trajectory Worksheet, Integrated Supports Star, and Life Domain Visioning Tool help teams identify both formal and informal supports that strengthen coping, resilience, and connection. For example, mapping supports across domains can highlight where a student relies on school-based counseling, peer relationships, family support, or community activities to manage stress and maintain stability. The framework also emphasizes the importance of relationships, informed choice, and community inclusion, all of which are well-established protective factors for mental health. By using CtLC tools, transition teams can move beyond identifying deficits and instead build intentional plans that strengthen emotional wellness, promote self-determination, and ensure that youth have sustainable supports as they move into adulthood.

Being a young adult can feel like a lot. School, work, friendships, family expectations, social media—it can all stack up fast. The good news is you don’t need a complete life overhaul to start feeling better. Small, consistent actions can make a real difference.

Here are three simple things you can do this week to boost your mental health:

1. Reset Your Daily Routine (Just a Little)

You don’t need a perfect routine—just a better one. Start by picking one part of your day to improve:

• Go to bed 30 minutes earlier

• Wake up at the same time each day

• Eat at least one real meal (not just snacks)

• Take a 10-minute break from your phone before bed

Why it helps: Your brain loves consistency. Even a little bit of structure can reduce stress and help you feel more in control.

Try this: Tonight, set a realistic bedtime and stick to it—no scrolling once you’re in bed.

2. Move Your Body (Your Way)

You don’t have to hit the gym or run miles. Just move. Options:

• Take a walk while listening to music

• Stretch for 10 minutes

• Shoot hoops, dance, or ride a bike

• Do a quick workout from YouTube

Why it helps: Movement releases chemicals in your brain that improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Try this: Pick one activity and do it for at least 10 minutes—that’s it. Starting small makes it easier to keep going.

3. Talk to Someone You Trust

You don’t have to carry everything alone. Reach out to:

• A friend

• A family member

• A coach, teacher, or mentor

You don’t need a “perfect” conversation. Even saying, “Hey, I’ve been feeling kind of off lately” is enough to start.

Why it helps: Talking helps you process what’s going on instead of bottling it up. Plus, connection is one of the strongest protectors of mental health.

Try this: Text or call one person today—even just to check in.

Final Thoughts

Improving your mental health isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about doing something consistently.

This week, focus on:

• A slightly better routine

• A little more movement

• One real conversation

That’s it. Small steps add up faster than you think!

We’re excited to share an upcoming training opportunity designed specifically for youth and the people who support them, including family members, educators, mentors, and community partners.

This training will focus on strengthening independence and is a great opportunity for youth and their supports to learn together in an engaging and welcoming environment. Prioity in registration will be provied to youth and their family members/caregivers attending with them.

Training Details:
📅 Date: June 3, 2026
⏰ Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m.
📍 Location/Format: [Zoom (registration required to receive meeting link)
👥 Who Should Attend: Youth and their supports
✅ Cost: Free (brought to you through the Pathways 2 Partnership Disability Innovation Fund Grant)

Please see the attached flyer for full details, including how to register.

We encourage you to share the flyer below widely with youth, families, colleagues, and community partners who may be interested. Your help spreading the word ensures this opportunity reaches those who can benefit most.

If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to contact hmangis@pattanpgh.net.

Thank you for helping us support youth and the people who stand beside them—we hope to see you there!

The Katie Smith Youth Leadership Award recognizes a young leader with a disability, ages 14–20, who demonstrates outstanding leadership, inclusion, and peer empowerment in their school or community. The award honors the legacy of Katie Smith, a passionate youth advocate whose leadership and commitment to supporting others continues to inspire emerging disability leaders.

This award celebrates youth who use their voice, lived experience, and leadership to promote inclusion, empower their peers, and create positive change in their communities.

What the Award Recognizes
Nominees may demonstrate leadership in areas such as:

• Self-advocacy and personal empowerment

• Peer leadership and mentorship

• Advocacy for disability rights and inclusion

• Promoting accessibility and belonging in school or community settings

• Demonstrating the spirit of youth leadership and collaboration

Award Presentation
The Katie Smith Youth Leadership Award will be presented at the 2026 Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, August 4–7, 2026.

Nomination Information
Nominations are open to youth with disabilities aged 14–20 who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to inclusion and advocacy.

Nomination Deadline: May 16th

Click here to access the Nomination Form

The Paul Fogle Disability Service and Advocacy Award of Excellence recognizes a young adult with a disability age 21-35 who demonstrates outstanding leadership in self-advocacy and disability advocacy. The award honors the legacy of Paul Fogle, a dedicated advocate who believed in empowering individuals with disabilities to use their voices, influence systems, and create more inclusive communities.

This award celebrates young leaders who advocate for themselves and others, promote accessibility and inclusion, and help advance disability rights in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

What the Award Recognizes
Nominees may demonstrate leadership in areas such as:

• Self-advocacy and personal empowerment

• Disability rights and systems advocacy

• Leadership within youth or self-advocacy organizations

• Promoting accessibility and inclusion in their community

• Supporting and empowering other people with disabilities

Award Presentation
The Paul Fogle Youth Self-Advocacy Award will be presented at the 2026 Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, August 4–7, 2026.

Nomination Information
Nominations are open to youth and young adults with disabilities aged 21-35 who demonstrate leadership in self-advocacy and disability rights.

Nomination Deadline: May 15th

Nomination Form

The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University is offering individualized healthy relationship and sexuality education for adults 18 and up with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sessions are available in person or via Zoom. A trained sexuality educator will customize the lessons and learning experience to meet each client's needs. Topics covered may include online safety, healthy relationships, personal health, and more. All sessions are free of charge. Email iodhsp@temple.edu to learn more.

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

🌟 Youth MOVE Pennsylvania

A youth-led advocacy organization that promotes wellness, recovery, and empowerment for young people with mental health needs.

• Peer support opportunities
• Leadership development
• Reducing stigma through lived experience

💡 Why it matters: Peer connection is a major protective factor for transition-aged youth.

The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research (Transitions ACR) is a research center within the Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center (iSPARC) that conducts research, training, and dissemination activities to improve outcomes among youth and young adults (ages 14 to 30) with serious mental health conditions (SMHC).

Explore their website to access:

• Information about service models
• Free traings for providers
• Blogs and Podcasts
• Publications
• Resources

The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. Visit their mental health resource center to get help, practice self-care, or get resources to support a friend.

Looking for a place where you can Connect, Collect, & Contribute

to all things secondary transition?

Connect with people from across our state to collect

resources, share events and contribute stories about positive post-school outcomes!

Click here to create an account and login to join our PA Secondary Transition- Public Square.

Professionals who support transition‑aged youth are invited to participate in Partnering for Progress: Building Transition Systems Together with Everyone Can Work, a training offered through the Pathways 2 Partnership Disability Innovation Fund. This course focuses on person‑centered thinking, best practices in employment, and building strong partnerships that lead to meaningful employment outcomes for youth and young adults with disabilities.

Participants can earn 9 hours of continuing education credit (Act 48 and CRCC pending approval). The training includes two required live virtual webinars on June 1 and June 25, 2026, along with four self‑paced asynchronous modules completed between sessions. Space is limited and registration is available on a first‑come, first‑served basis, so participants should register only if they can commit to all required components.

Please see the attached flyer for more information or register on the PaTTAN website.

This virtual network meeting on June 2, 2026 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. will bring together individuals, families, professionals, and community partners to strengthen person- and family-centered practices through shared learning and collaboration. Participants will explore how to navigate difficult conversations using the Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework, while also building strategies for self-advocacy and amplifying individual and family voices. The session focuses on practical ways to increase confidence and support meaningful advocacy across systems.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Click here to register for the event.

Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Pennsylvania Educators and Partners

August 4-7, 2026

Uniting Pennsylvania's educators, community partners, families, and youth to explore insights and tools that bridge knowledge and practical application.

• This conference will bring together Pennsylvania’s educators, community partners, families, and youth to explore the latest insights, strategies, and tools that bridge the gap between knowledge and practical application.
• Sessions will have a specific focus on autism, sensory disabilities, secondary transition, and students with complex instructional needs.
• Participants will gain tangible strategies to enhance teaching practices, drive student success, and adapt to the evolving demands of today’s classrooms.

Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Educators and Partners offers conference attendees a broad, inclusive platform to learn from presenters as they share their expertise and innovative practices. This conference was built from the strengths of the HELIX, National Autism, and Secondary Transition conferences. We can’t wait to see you in August.

Location: The Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, PA

Download the flyer below for more information or visit the conference website.

Learn How PA ABLE Can Help Create Financial Opportunity for Veterans with Disabilities

The PA ABLE Savings Program provides an additional financial option for Veterans who have qualifying disabilities. PA ABLE can power your life experiences, giving you and your family opportunities to do more with increased financial security, all while maintaining important service-related benefits you may already be receiving from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), or Social Security Administration (SSA).

We will discuss eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits, how PA ABLE interacts with important benefits and more. This live webinar will also have time for questions.

Wed., May 20
7:00 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Register

Everyday Lives will be held in tandem with the Dual Diagnosis Conference on May 6, and 7th. The EDL logo is attached if you would like to use it.

Conference tracks include:

Dual Diagnosis - The annual Dual Diagnosis conference takes an everyday lives spin! The Dual Diagnosis track, hosted by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), will feature presentations about the cross section of mental health and intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or autism. Day one will feature presentations for professionals, and day two will focus on material for individuals and families.

Accessibility in the Digital Age (5/12) - A clear-eyed look at how technology affects our everyday lives and how we may harness it for good

Person-Centered Approaches (5/13) - Presentations highlighting the importance of person-centered planning throughout every step of the journey – from systems changes to individual support plans

Everyday Lives for Everyone (5/14) - Discussions of advocacy, resilience, and building networks of natural supports in your community

Post-Conference Workshop for Individuals and Families (Saturday May 16th) - An opportunity for individuals and family members to discuss EDL presentation materials and form connections

Are you looking for transition events across PA?

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a group of various stakeholders from across Pennsylvania who work collaboratively to ensure appropriate transition outcomes for Pennsylvania youth and young adults.

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a state leadership team consisting of representative from: the State Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Human Services; Various Serving Agencies, Young Adults, Parent Organizations, Advocates, Higher Education, and Employers.

The shared vision and common goals of the Pennsylvania Community on Transition is achieved when all PA youth and young adults with disabilities:

• Successfully transition to the role of productive and participating adult citizens
• Are empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice
• Have equal access to resources that will promote their full participation in the communities of their choice.

Email: pasecondarytransition@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/
Phone: 4128266878
Twitter: @hmangiskuntz