The Oregon Transition Podcast

Listen in as we take a short break from our "Transition Snacks"to bring you an episode with an amazing self-advocate, Casey Olsen, from Redmond, Oregon, as he shares about his journey and the lessons learned on the way to successful employment and life. This interview was recorded at the Breaking Barriers Conference in April 2025. Casey shares his personal struggles, sacrifices and winning attitude. There are some great tips and advice for students starting into the world of work in this episode. (as well as for all of us!) 

The second "snack sized" episode about the Transition IEP! This episode is all about Age Appropriate Transition Assessments (AATA). We welcome Margie Blackmore, TNF in central Oregon, to join us.  Resource links: AATA Info Chart AATA in the Transition Handbook  

Welcome to Season 7 of OTP! We are  starting a new series on the transition IEP. The episodes are "Snack Size" so you can listen to short episodes to gain information. Each episode will include links in the show notes to resources that support the topics. Episode one covers Supported Decision Making and Inviting the student to the IEP meeting as well as ideas to engage the student in their IEP. Resource Links for this episode: Gen. Supervision, Priority Area 5 SDM 1-pager Handbook link for Invite the Student OTP Gmail: oregontransitionpodcast@gmail.com   

Hear students share in their own words about their summer work experience with Heart of Oregon, which sponsors a summer outdoor camp work experience, Camp LEAD, for youth with a documented disability to build skills and prepare for work. Participants learn about forest fire fuel reduction and maintenance as well as building new friendships and their own strengths and abilities. Website: https://heartoforegon.org/  Also, welcome our new co-host, Sarah Statham, Transition Network Facilitator from Portland, Oregon.

The Transition Network Team attended the Breaking Barriers conference in Central Oregon. This unique conference, sponsored by The Central Oregon Disability Services Network, is for self advocates to share on their lives, successes and how to overcome barriers, Listen in as our own Josh Barbour was the Emcee and we captured some great highlights. CODSN Breaking Barriers web page

Hear students and teachers talk about exciting programs, such as Future Build in Eugene and a culinary student business in Pendleton. Learn about important skills students are gaining and how teachers are adapting and accommodating to include student on IEPs in their programs.

The Transition Technical Assistance Network and partners, gathered "secretly" to share and record memories of our "Fearless Leader" and educator, Sally Simich, for a special episode of OTP. She will be missed as she retires end of February, 2024. Sally has been a tireless advocate of students and a leader in Oregon's special education transition services journey. All the best in your future Sally!

This last episode of season 5 focuses on stories by teachers around successes that they have seen with students. At the end there is a special announcement about a hiatus for OTP as we re-focus our teams and work for 2024-25. Thanks to all our listeners!

Top youth and school motivational speaker, keynote for the Oregon Statewide Transition Conference, Brad Butler II, takes some time to share about his past, work with students and his books, speaking, and mission. He shares his principles for success and encouragement on supporting students looking for their future path.  His message of hope will inspire you. Check out his website: https://www.bradbutler2.com/  

Listen to the first-ever live recording of the Oregon Transition Podcast. Recorded in Eugene, Oregon, March 2023. The program includes 2 student interviews around working and future goals, Exploring Career Technical Education (CTE) in Eugene Public Schools and an award given to OTP as :Transition Podcast of the Year".

This episode's focus is on Interviews with students and teachers using STEM, (Science, Technology Engineering & Math) to discover career tracks and plan for the future. Youth Transition Program Specialists share how students with disabilities are empowered to identify their own interests and choose their own paths.

The entire OTP podcast team get together to share season fives' mission and get you ready for some great transition stories. Join us for another year of Oregon Transition Podcast!

This bonus episode is the full interview with Oregon Treasury contact for Oregon ABLE Savings Plan that had excerpts in the last full episode on Supported Decision Making , Season 4. There was so much valuable information that it needed to be its' own bonus. For more information on ABLE savings plans visit their website here.

SDM = Supported Decision Making. This episode explores the difference between guardianship and exercising SDM. There are various ways individuals can be supported for daily decisions, job exploration, financial literacy and post-secondary training and education. Listen as Josh and Mandy interview various professionals around these areas.

Student from Southern Oregon, Jordyn Spires, shares a podcast she wrote, recorded and produced on her own. Jordan worked with the OTP team to learn skills to produce this bonus episode as a part of her goal to one day work in broadcasting and recording. Listen in on her interview about working with therapeutic horses and the benefits for clients riding and handling the horses.

Two students share their experiences stepping out into new areas of life, gaining confidence as they overcomes barriers. Hear their successes and also from those who supported them on the way. Interviews include experiences moving into college and work, and a student-created podcast project soon to be released as an OTP Bonus episode.

A spin-off of the myth-busters episode, the myth around social security income and work had so much great information it had to be added as its' own bonus episode. Mandy Younger interviews the Oregon Work Incentives Network on the world of SSI benefits management and work. WIN website

In Episode 2, the team presents myths around work and benefits with transition age youth and adults, and interviews subject matter experts to debunk them. Get some solid information to de-bunk those commonly expressed myths next time you hear them! Episode 2 also introduces us to a new feature you will enjoy..."The Voice of Pod". 

Listen in on an interview with a student sharing his insights into paid summer work and some profound life lessons. The OTP production team  reflects on episode 2 and the bonus on the RFA and its' success to establish preferences for students out in the workplace.

OTP welcomes a new co-host, Mandy Younger, Pre ETS Coordinator from Southern Oregon. Josh and Mandy interview students who participated in the 2001 summer paid work experience RFA grant through Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation as well as CJ Webb, coordinator for the program, who also shares on what it is, who it serves and how to apply for next summer 2022 RFA 4708. There is an end- teaser for a bonus episode coming soon with another student and his experience working in forestry related areas.

Follow the pathway and progression of students navigating their way to success during a year of pandemic, setting goals and reaching new achievements. Hear how parents and agency professionals build independence and motivate towards success in the final episode of OTP, Season 3. Transcript

Acronyms can be confusing and the number used in the transition world is no exception. This episodes not only defines the different plans used by Vocational Rehabilitation, Education and Developmental Disabilities, but how they work together to create a strong collaborative plan and team. Transcript link

This is a bonus re-release of Season 2, Episode 7 - "Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork" with a new intro from Josh and Nicole. Pair this listen with our Season 3 Episode 4 on Seamless Transition and you have a perfect duo of seamless information. Enjoy! Transcript

Explore the seamless transition model, where the last day of school and the first day of work look the same. Josh and Nicole co-host with Sarah Statham, TNF for Region 1, which includes the Portland area. Donna Lowry, TNF/PreETS Support Specialist for Eastern Oregon, takes us to Grant County interviewing a seamless team as they share what defined their success at finding employment for a student. Transcript

What is a PCP? Who does them? What are they for? OTP takes you to visit a student's person centered plan event in Burns, Oregon and to hear a panel of PCP facilitators, agency partners and a parent as they share the advantages to holding one of these facilitated plans for one your students. Transcript

This episode highlights tools and facilitators who work with goal creation and the building of dreams for transition students. Helping students fine tune their goals to be more realistic and possible as well as using Maps and Paths to assist teams in building transition programs are explored. Transcript.

This bonus episode follows up S3 E1 on mental health. The OTP production team partners up to explore customized supported employment through mental health and VR services and the importance of work to our well-being. Transcript here.

The Oregon Transition Podcast starts season 3 with an episode around mental health and supporting youth during the pandemic. A mental health expert shares on working with youth, topics on dealing with stress, resiliency; the National Alliance on Mental Health and Oregon Youth Line crisis call/chat line are also featured. Transcript.

The Oregon Transition Podcast ends season 2 interviewing Heather Lindsey, Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services Deputy Director. Heather shares efforts within VR to provide counselor training for virtual service delivery, a client based equity model, current outcomes during this time of COVID-19 pandemic, and successes around the state. Heather brings positive insights into delivering transition services and partnering with your local VR office. Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation; Applying for VR During COVID-19 Pandemic (pdf)

This "At Home" Episode of the Oregon Transition Podcast features inter-agency teamwork through the Westmoreland Transition Program in Eugene. The teamwork story is told through soundbites from VR, YTP, Teachers, Administrators, and DD, as they work together to make dreams for the future a reality for students in the program. Hear about elements that make successful teams and take these tips to strengthen your own program.

OTP explores the use of technology in school transition services. Marcola School District, Access Technologies Inc. and Cognitopia are highlighted in this episode which shares valuable resources for connecting students in person or in the distance-learning world.

Check in and listen as transition providers and teachers share how service delivery is being adapted for students online. This episode highlights ideas for a virtual transition fair, YTP services, adapting summer activities with SWIFT and the summer work RFA, and a real-life story about how the YTP program prepared a student for the work he does as an adult today. Youth Transition Program, University of Oregon.

This episode highlights the connection in higher education with transition through the UCEDD (University Center for Excellence and Developmental Disabilities) programs at OHSU, Portland and U of O, Eugene. Topics include a friendships and dating student curriculum and training for teachers pilot opportunity; Unique, previewed online COVID-19 resources for talking about the illness and issues with people with IDD; A new project to develop an online training for para-professionals around working with IDD students in schools; A story of advocacy by the CAC (Community Advocacy Council). websites: U of O Center; OHSU Center

OTP hosts, Josh & Nicole, explore the topic of well being in this episode, featuring 2 presenters highlighted as part of a new well being strand added to the Oregon Statewide Transition Conference. Topics include dealing with stress, resources in mental health for the IDD population and a new assessment being developed by U of O. Listen to transition teachers and specialists share what they are doing to take care of themselves while working at home under the COVID-19 restrictions. 

Join Josh and Nicole for the first stay at home, work from home podcast. This episode highlights a transition specialist, Patty Bates, from Crook County and how she is using Google Classroom for transition topics in distance learning. Also, OTP interviews Incight, an online organization sharing their student learning from home options. Website: https://www.incight.org/ 

Season 2 kicks off with a look at what has been happening in the world of transition around the state - all events happened in the month of October 2019. Highlights include Students on the Capital steps in Salem for National Disability Employment Awareness Month,  a Community Conversation dinner event in Eugene area and interviews with students and teachers at the first ever, Oregon state-wide student summit in Hood River. 

Join in for another bonus episode as we hear students, professionals and your hosts, Josh and Nicole unpack the elements around what it means to say "Everyone can work." This final episode of season one will be sure to encourage and inspire!  Transcript

Follow along with Nick Kaasa, a professional from Eugene-Springfield area, working in the disability support field while experiencing his own disability. Hear how he dealt with a situation that challenged his ability to stand up and not compromise his values. This bonus will encourage those that need to be willing to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Transcript

What is self-advocacy? How can we foster stronger self-advocacy skills in the transition youth we serve? In this episode, OTP goes around the state to explore how students are speaking up, Leading IEP's, owning their goals and reaching for the stars. Learn about programs like MEGI: (Motivational Enhancement Group Intervention); website Ablefind.org; tips on organizing a student-led IEP meeting, and more. Transcript

Join OTP for a visit with Nina G, recorded live at the 2019 Oregon Statewide Transition Conference. Nina was keynote speaker, led student sessions and took time to chat with our hosts. She shares her experiences, her philosophy on accommodations, expanding student interests, and advocacy. (Transcript)     Nina's Website

You down with YTP? Yeah you know me!  This episode features interviews from  YTP Directors and Technical Assistance Providers YTP Transition specialists YTP students Oregon Transition Podcast is back with Episode 4: The Youth Transition Program (YTP). Tune in to learn more about YTP and how the this statewide program is supporting transition aged students on their path to employment. Transcript

The OTP team presents first of their bonus episodes, which are shorter and person-focused. This bonus features Boon Richter, student musician, whose music has been selected for the bumper theme of the podcast. Boone was awarded Student of the Year at the Oregon Statewide Transition Conference, March 2019. Boon shares his inspiration to compose, how he has incorporated his talent into his work and his dreams for the future.

In episode 3, members of the TTAN, Transition Technical Assistance Network, share their roles and how they support youth in transition to employment around the state of Oregon. Your hosts, Josh and Nicole, introduce you to some OTP/TTAN "pod-people" around the state as they interview different members. You will have a better understanding of all the acronyms and what the services are within the TTAN by the end of your listen! Transcript

Last summer, Josh and Nicole took to the road to visit 3 exciting summer work programs. Listen to what students did, where they went and what you can do to connect and provide these experiences for your students the summer of 2019! (transcript)

Episode 1 asks the question "What is Transition?" Your hosts, Josh Barbour, Transition Network Facilitator from Eugene, and Nicole Perdue, Pre-Employment Transition Services Coordinator from Bend, guide us as we hear from students, teachers, state agencies, specialists and parents on what transition means to them. (Transcript)

The mission: Connecting transition teams, students, parents and supports across Oregon. Real voices and stories throughout the state. Look for upcoming Episodes starting in January 2019. The Oregon Transition Podcast is a project of the Oregon Transition Technical Assistance network.