WHAT
The UW LEND Adolescent to Adult Learning Series is a series of learning opportunities offered throughout the LEND year in partnership with Roots2Wings Family Group. Monthly Roots2Wings speaker sessions cover a range of relevant transition topics to include education, employment, housing, financial/legal, community engagement, and more. Speakers are experts from across Washington State who serve as leaders in state agencies, education, and community programs. UW LEND trainees have a unique opportunity to learn alongside caregivers and community providers.
WHY IT MATTERS
Transitioning from pediatric-focused health and education services is a critical part of the life course journey. Preparing for the future of transition services begins early in life. Families are often overwhelmed by the process and look to their providers for information and guidance. Clinicians, advocates, and allies need to be equipped with adolescent transition information and resources. We aim to assure that LEND trainees have what they need to support neurodiverse individuals and families wherever they may be on their transition journey.
UW LEND TRAINING REQUIREMENT
1. Attend the required quarterly ALL-LEND Adolescent to Adult Transition Seminar
- One Monday each Quarter, 2:30-3:30pm
- Review Roots2Wings topics for the Quarter and discuss why it matters
- Seminars are virtual
2. Attend at least one Roots2Wing Speaker Session each Quarter – more if you would like
- Seminars meet the 2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm
- Roots2Wings forums are virtual
- Join synchronously, recording is not available
3. Optional: Attend an in-person Roots2Wings Hands-On Workshop
- One Saturday a Quarter, 9am-noon
- In-person at Seattle Central College
- Volunteer opportunities for UW LEND Trainees to support hands-on activities, no expertise required
All-LEND Adolescent Transition Seminar
UW LEND offers a password protected portal to additional resources on adolescent transition topics. These resources were developed by Alicia Nathan, MSW, LICSW, Executive Director of Summit Community Center
Please use this link to view resources.
Alicia Nathan (she/her) MSW, LICSW
Founding Executive Director of Summit Community Center. A licensed Clinical Social Worker who has spent her career working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, as well as highly informed on adolescent to adult transition.
About the Learning Series Facilitators
Tara Pettersson
Co-Facilitator: Tara is a second year UW LEND Family Discipline trainee and mother to two neurodiverse young adults. A retired biotech executive and business consultant, she discovered a passion for advocacy and leads various Seattle-based initiatives that support the neurodiverse community and their families. She is co-founder of ‘Roots2Wings Family Group.’ This group serves as a hub for information, resources, and community for families, providers and educators in support of our neurodiverse community.
Sue Adelman, OTR
Co-Facilitator. Sue is UW LEND Family Discipline Faculty with an Occupational Therapy background and co-parent to 3 young adults; one of which carries a developmental disability diagnosis. The experience of navigating healthcare, education, employment and state/governmental systems on their behalf has been a constant learning experience. Sharing knowledge so individuals, families, providers and systems can improve is a constant goal.
