Empowering families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life - through support, training, and education. 
 
In Missouri, a student with an IEP must have a Transition Plan at age 16.  However, planning for this can begin as early as junior high.  

Why do students need a transition plan?

Life is full of transitions, and one of the more remarkable ones occurs when we get ready to leave high school and go out in the world as young adults. When the student has a disability, it's especially helpful to plan ahead for that transition. As a matter of fact the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires it. Transition services are intended to prepare students to move from the world of school to the world of adulthood.

What resources are available for students?
 
The goal of the STELLAR (Supporting Transition to Engaged Lives by Linking Agency Resources) project is to assist transition-age youth (14-26) with disabilities, their parents, family members, guardians and advocates; or other authorized representatives of the individual to effectively engage in vocational, independent living, and rehabilitative services.  

MPACT can help!    Contact  us for more information.  
Upcoming Transition Related Events
Transition Fair - Lake of the Ozarks
March 2, 2018
9:00 PM - 12:00 PM
State Fair Community College - Osage Beach
MPACT Contact Person:  Brook Fuller

Transition Resource Celebration - Kansas City
March 6, 2018
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Eitas Training Center
8508 Hillcrest Road, Kansas CIty, MO 64138
Register at  Eventbrite
 
MPACT Contact Person:  Princess Banks
Transition Skills Day - Maryville, MO
Ready, Set, Goal!
March 14, 2018
8:30am - 2:00pm
Northwest Missouri State University (The Station Conference Center)
800 University Drive Maryville, MO 64468
MPACT Contact Person:  Lisa Bowles

Transition Skills Day - Bethany, MO
Transition Skills Day - The Game of Life (Not of Chance)
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Time: 8:30am to 2:00pm
Location: Immanuel Baptist Church
4207 Miller St. Bethany, MO 64424
MPACT Contact Person:  Lisa Bowles

Save the date for future Transition Events!

Planning for Resource Transition Fair - Nevada, MO
October, 2018
MPACT Contact Person:  Carrie Ragsdale

Transition Expo - Ozark, MO
Fall, 2018
MPACT Contact Person:  Becky Hopkins

Disability Awareness Day - Caruthersville, MO
October, 2018
MPACT Contact Person:  Nakatia Clay


New - Lunchtime Learning in St. Louis
A Break to Educate Series 
March 12, April 9, & May 14, 2018
12:00p m - 1:00pm
St. Louis Public Library - Central Library
FREE MPACT Trainings & Workshops
MPACT offers parents and professionals a variety of online and in-person trainings. All trainings are FREE of charge. Please  contact us if you would like to schedule a training for your area or organization.

Please register for any of the workshops you would like to attend so we can send you electronic copies of the materials and notify you of any changes in the schedule. You can register  here or by clicking the link below.

Inclement Weather: If there is inclement weather and the school district where the training is being held cancels school, the MPACT training will also be cancelled.  Participants who have registered online will be notified via email.
Northern Missouri Region

IDEA Part C to Part B
April 14 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
East Hills Library
502 North Woodbine Rd 
St. Joseph, MO 64506

Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
April 14 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
East Hills Library
502 North Woodbine Rd 
St. Joseph, MO 64506

Kansas City Missouri Region

Understanding the Evaluation Process
March 19 @ 10:30 am - 11:45 am
Kansas City Public Library: Lucile H. Bluford Branch
3050 Prospect Ave
Kansas City, MO 64128

Section 504 and Students with Disabilities
March 19 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Kansas City Public Library: Lucile H. Bluford Branch
3050 Prospect Ave 
Kansas City, MO 64128

Special Education Law
March 26 @ 10:30 am - 11:45 am
Kansas City Public Library: Central Library
14 West 10th St 
Kansas City, MO 64105

Special Education Mediation
March 26 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Kansas City Public Library: Central Library
14 West 10th St 
Kansas City, MO 64105

Central Missouri Region

Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
March 13 @ 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Camden County Library: Camdenton Branch
89 Rodeo Rd 
Camdenton, MO 65020

Bullying Prevention: What Parents Can Do
April 2 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Families Supporting Families Together
3705 Route C
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Special Education: What I Need to Know
April 3 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Missouri Regional Library
214 Adams St
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Writing Measurable Goals
April 5 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Pathways 
227 Metro Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Family Record Keeping
April 10 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Camden County Library: Camdenton Branch
89 Rodeo Rd 
Camdenton, MO 65020

Special Education: What I Need to Know
April 11 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Pathways
860 Lynn St
Lebanon, MO 65536

St. Louis Missouri Region

Disagreement Resolution Processes
March 14 @ 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm
St. Charles City-County Library District: Spencer Road Branch
427 Spencer Rd
St. Peters, MO 63376

Art of Effective Advocacy
March 26 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Hope High School
307 West Pitman 
O'Fallon, MO 63366

Disagreement Resolution Processes
April 30 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Special School District, Rm 61
2110 Clayton Rd
St. Louis, MO 63131

Southwest Missouri Region

Special Education Law
March 1 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The Library Center
4653 S. Campbell
Springfield, MO 65810

Understanding the IEP Process
March 1 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The Library Center
4653 S. Campbell
Springfield, MO 65810

Special Education Law
March 5 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Easter Seals - Howell Oregon Electric
6327 US 63
West Plains, MO 65775

McKinney Vento & Art of Advocacy
March 6 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
37th Judicial - CASA
1 Court Square
West Plains, MO 65775

Disagreement Resolution Processes
March 8 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
The Library Center
4653 S. Campbell
Springfield, MO 65810

The Art of Effective Advocacy
March 8 @ 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The Library Center
4653 S. Campbell
Springfield, MO 65810

Effectively Communicating Your Child's Needs
March 19 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Springfield-Greene County Library: Schweitzer Brentwood Branch
2214 Brentwood Blvd 
Springfield, MO 65804

What is MPACT?
April 14 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Springfield-Greene County Library: The Library Center
4653 South Campbell Ave
Springfield, MO 65810

Art of Effective Advocacy
May 19 @ 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Springfield-Greene County Library District: The Library Center
4653 South Campbell Ave
Springfield, MO 65810

Southeast Missouri Region

Be Determined
March 7 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Meadow Heights Church
472 South Main St 
Ironton, MO 63650

Understanding the IEP Process
March 13 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Easter Seals Midwest: Butler County
2323 North Main
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

Family Record Keeping
April 2 @ 8:30 am - 10:30 am
STĀ Cafe
820 North Sprigg St 
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Transition from ECSE to Elementary
May 10 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Caruthersville Head Start Center
710 East 18th St 
Caruthersville, MO 63830


Employment Opportunities
Do you have the desire and skill to support families in advocating for their children with disabilities throughout the special education process? Do you demonstrate the following unique and comprehensive abilities? If so, please apply for one of  MPACT's open positions !

Open Positions:
-Parent Advisor (Joplin, MO)

-Regional Coordinator (Hannibal, MO)

-Data & Bookkeeping Support Staff

  • Provide individual assistance and technical support for families that have children with disabilities in the form of phone, emails, material distribution, and education meeting attendance,
  • Provide assistance to individuals regarding educational and disability-related issues of preschool age children, school age children, and young adults with disabilities,
  • Set up, market, and perform training workshops in conjunction with project and contract requirements, including registering and following up with participants, and
  • Develop and maintain relationships with contract and project collaborating partners as well as agencies, organizations, schools, and groups located within position's assigned area and that focus on serving under-served communities, families of children with disabilities, and youth with disabilities.
MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
Copyright © 2018 MPACT. All rights reserved.
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