This session will discuss the experiences of Native youth with disabilities as they transition from school to adulthood. The webcast will describe factors related to Native youth transition, important considerations when working with Native youth and young adults, and practices that support post-school outcomes. Presenters will highlight their work in partnership with Tribal communities, focused on building trust and relationships.  Relationships include the student, family, teachers, counselors, and SPED programs.  Important aspects of partnership building, identify data sovereignty, Tribal IRBs (if needed), agreements, and considerations for the school and students, are discussed and will be applied as appropriate per Tribal Nation(s).  

Bios:

Dr. Wendy Parent-Johnson is an Independent Contractor and Senior Research Associate at TransCen Inc.  She has extensive experience in the areas of supported and customized employment, transition from school to work, Employment First policy and practice, and healthcare transition from pediatric to adult medical care. Her work, together with Tribal communities, has focused on developing information, resources, and training designed to enhance the understanding and practice of education and employment services that are culturally responsive and inclusive of Native culture. She is Editor of the Journal of Rehabilitation and serves on numerous journal Editorial Boards. 

My name is Amanda Holmes, and I am a member of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, located in Charles City, Virginia. I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Longwood University in 2018. After earning my degree, I served as a caregiver for various elderly family members for six years. I've since stepped down from my role as caregiver and have been honored to join multiple teams of individuals working to better the lives and experiences of indigenous youth.

Jim Warne (Oglala Lakota) is an educator, advocate, and filmmaker. He holds a BS from Arizona State University and an MS from San Diego State University, where he developed Continuing Education programs at the Interwork Institute (1993–2015). Jim has secured over $50 million in grants for universities and Tribal Nations. He is the Community Engagement Director at the University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities and President of Warrior Society Development, LLC. He consults with Tribal Nations and government agencies and helped establish the Oyáte Circle (USD) and the Sonoran Circle of Indigenous Empowerment (Arizona College of Medicine) - his work centers on disability and Indigenous health access. A motivational speaker, Jim’s background includes Congressional testimony, professional football, higher education, and youth development. His Gen7 Films productions include the Emmy-nominated Oyáte un Itówapi - Pictures of my People, 7th Generation (Amazon Prime), and other award-winning documentaries. Learn more at www.gen7films.com.