What is a STELLAR Transition Mentor?
Transition Mentors are trained volunteers who provide support to families of children with disabilities throughout the transition process. These services may include:
- Provide information and technical assistance to families, Centers for Independent Living, Vocational Rehabilitation staff and other transition and employment stakeholders.
- Participate as a member of Regional Transition
Networks.
- Participate in face-to-face and online training on transition and family resources.
- Meet with regional service agency providers.
- Attend quarterly transition mentor meetings.
- Help provide outreach for culturally and linguistically diverse groups through community organizations.
- Facilitate training for families and youth about transition to postsecondary experiences.
What kind of experience, background, or skills would be
helpful?
- Provide information and technical assistance to families, Centers for Independent Living, Vocational Rehabilitation staff and other transition and employment stakeholders.
- Participate as a member of Regional Transition Networks.
- Participate in face-to-face and online training on transition and family resources.
- Meet with regional service agency providers.
- Attend quarterly transition mentor meetings.
- Help provide outreach for culturally and linguistically diverse groups through community organizations.
- Facilitate training for families and youth about transition to postsecondary experiences.
How do I become a STELLAR Transition Mentor?
-
Fill out the Transition Mentor Application and any other required
paperwork and submit them to the MPACT Mentor Coordinator.
- Attend the following MPACT Workshops:
- IEP Boot Camp OR Special Education Law, The IEP Process, and
Dispute Resolution
- The Art of Effective Advocacy
- MPACT certification training
- Facilitated IEP training (within 6 months of the certification
training)
- Participate in MPACT Transition Mentor Training (approximately four, some online).
- Participate in quarterly conference calls with the MPACT Mentor Coordinator.
What happens next?
Upon certification, mentors will be presented with a Transition Mentor Certificate and a resource manual. Each mentor’s name will then be published on the MPACT website to identify them as a certified mentor to our staff, parents, and school officials.
STELLAR Transition Mentors will be reimbursed for some expenses incurred
while performing their role. Reimbursable expenses may include:
- Mileage exceeding 30 miles round trip to attend transition planning
meetings/IEPs or other approved meetings
- Necessary long distance phone call charges
- Other pre-approved expenses
Mentors may also receive some financial support for their volunteer efforts
as a result of meeting training and participation requirements
What requirements are there to remain certified?
In order to remain certified, mentors will be required to do the following:
- Participate in ongoing training opportunities provided by MPACT.
- Provide phone support/consultation for up to 5 families per month or attend IEP meetings upon referral by the MPACT Mentor Coordinator.
- Complete and submit required reports by monthly due date to the MPACT Mentor Coordinator.
Who can I contact for help or information?
If you need any assistance regarding anything related to STELLAR or becoming
a Transition Mentor, please contact the MPACT Mentor Coordinator.