with Mel Moseley

It can be incredibly difficult to know what to do when you need to talk to your child about sex and sexuality. Often parents feel awkward about bringing up the subject of sexuality, bodies, gender, and relationships and unsure what information they should talk about at what age. This training helps participants feel more prepared for talking about the birds and the bees with their pre-teen, teen, or adult child!

with Em Braman and Micah Ralston

The session will explore how supported decision making allows individuals with disabilities to make their own choices with the support of trusted advisors, rather than being under a guardianship where someone else makes decisions for them. Participants will learn about different models of supported decision making, the benefits of this approach, and how it can be used as an empowering alternative to guardianship. This informative session aims to provide individuals with disabilities and their families with the knowledge and tools to promote autonomy and self-determination.

with Craig Vattiat

Craig Vattiat from the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) will share about DFR’s financial education and consumer protection resources and discuss important considerations for young people that are starting to earn money and make financial decisions. He will address the meaning of financial empowerment, key concepts for money management including budgeting and saving for financial goals, and how the national Bank On initiative is increasing access to safe and affordable bank and credit union accounts for all consumers including young adults with disabilities. 

with Marguerite Blackmore, Lon Thornburg, and Kriss Rita

In this session, a team of Transition Network Facilitators (TNFs) from Oregon will talk to parents about helping students move from school to adult life. They will explain what transition services are, how they're part of the IEP, and which students can get these services. The TNFs will show how they work with families and teachers to make special plans for each student, using what the student is good at and what they like. Facilitators will also talk about how they work with organizations outside of schools to give the best support to students. Plus, they'll give parents tips on how they can help their teenagers during this big change.  

with Elizabeth Jankowski and Shava Feinstein

This session will be an overview of the different pathways for high school completion, types of diplomas available to students and IEP team decisions about graduation.  It will also provide information about requirements for the Oregon Diploma, Modified Oregon Diploma and Extended Diploma, as well as details on when a student eligible for special education can continue their enrollment beyond the 12th grade and the age of 18.

with Susan Collins and Hannah Arends

An overview of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), explaining what they are, who is eligible, and the range of services offered that will support young adults with disabilities and their families toward a successful journey towards employment.  

with Jen Knapp

This session will cover how supported living services work in the state of Oregon. It will also address the different types of housing options people with disabilities can access to live more independently. Participants will learn about the resources that can be integrated into their living situations, such as direct support, indirect support, and technology solutions. This informative session aims to empower individuals with disabilities by providing them with the knowledge and tools to find the best living arrangements that suit their needs and preferences, fostering a sense of independence and community inclusion. 

with Josh Goller

This session will provide an overview of managing benefits while seeking or maintaining employment. Discussion will include how working can affect disability benefits and the importance of benefits planning when beginning employment. We will explore strategies to maximize financial stability and employment, so people with disabilities can make informed decisions about work and finances.

with Katie Rose

This session will explain the brokerage system in Oregon for individuals over 18 with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, including how to request service from a brokerage, and how they support people with disabilities to make their own decisions and control their lives.

with Jen Knapp

This session explores supported employment, including what it is, how it helps young people with disabilities find and keep jobs, and why it's important for their independence and confidence. The session will cover different kinds of support available, like job coaching and workplace adjustments, to make sure everyone can work successfully. 

Jennifer has 23 years of experience in the disability service field. She is currently the Executive Director at Community Vision, a disability provider agency in Portland, Oregon that is an industry leader in offering individualized in-home support, affordable housing, assistive technology, and employment services. In her role, she engages in state-wide advocacy and local community partnerships to support the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Jennifer has worked for Community Vision since 2016. 

Prior to moving to Oregon, Jennifer served as founder and Executive Director of Community Choices, a cooperative in Illinois offering innovative services to support people with disabilities live on their own. She also consulted with family groups to create housing options and brought advocates together to shift the disability system from institutional models to community services. She started her career in community organizing, co-developing the Campaign for Real Choice in Illinois, which brought people with disabilities together to shift from institutions to community services in Illinois. 

Jennifer received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Illinois in Communication. 

Shava Feinstein is an Education Program Specialist in the Office of Enhancing Student Opportunities at ODE.  She has over 28 years of experience working in various roles in Special Education that include classroom teacher, Teacher on Special Assignment and Special Programs Administrator.  As ODE's Secondary Transition Lead, Shava is dedicated to the provision of high-quality transition services for Oregon's students and improving post-secondary outcomes for individuals experiencing disabilities.

Craig Vattiat is a Consumer Education and Engagement Coordinator for the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. Craig grew up in Oregon City and was a business teacher at his alma mater, Oregon City High School, for 19 years. There, he developed and taught a personal finance course for juniors and seniors. This experience sparked his passion for financial literacy education. Craig brings this passion to his current role where he helps Oregonians to develop the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions.

Mel has been facilitating trainings with a focus on sex positivity, alternative relationship structures, and personal growth for more than 10 years. She has presented for conferences and organizations including Southwest LoveFest, Sex Positive Portland, and Dance Naked Creative. 

She has been with Among Friends since 2022 as the Training Program Manager and recently shifted roles to Certification Program Manager. She is thrilled to be expanding her role in the organization as a trainer! 

Em Braman has been working in this field for over 20 years in varied roles including as a Services Coordinator, Foster Care Provider, Inclusion Specialist with a park district and as a professional guardian. She is also the parent to two children one who experiences IDD. Outside of work she enjoys reading, crochet, running, and camping. 

Lon Thornburg, BA, MEd, is a Transition Network Facilitator for Region 8 (Eastern Oregon). He is a licensed teacher and has served in schools for the past 30 years. He was a TBI specialist and Assistive Technology Specialist with InterMountain ESD for 10 years before serving as TNF with the state-wide TTAN currently since 2015.

Dr. Elizabeth Jankowski is an IDEA Program Specialist for School-Age Special Education with the Oregon Department of Education. In this capacity she works with assigned counties and districts in their implementation of federal and state laws, regulations, and rules related to special education including transition. Her passion has always resided in improving the outcomes of students experiencing disability through implementation of effective, evidence-based practices. Dr. Jankowski has over 35 years of experience working in special education as a teacher, consultant, and researcher.

Hannah is a Pre-Employment Transition Services Coordinator with extensive experience as a Youth Transition Specialist in Central Oregon. Bringing a wealth of knowledge about the unique challenges faced by today’s youth with disabilities and the foundation needed to increase the opportunities for a meaningful career that centers on youth voice and agency. Renowned for designing innovative, compassionate programs that elevate youth service delivery and support that turns their career dreams into reality. A trusted partner to schools, businesses, and community networks, committed to empowering youth and fostering bright futures for students with disabilities across Oregon.

Josh Goller began providing benefits planning for Work Incentives Network (WIN) in 2011. After seven years providing direct services as a Work Incentives Coordinator, Josh took on the role as one of the WIN program managers in 2018. Prior to WIN, Josh worked for a law firm that represented individuals with Social Security or workers compensation claims. He lives in the Portland Metro area, where he watches entirely too many movies.

Bio coming soon!

Micah Ralston (He/Him) has 10 years experience in the ID/DD field. He started working as a Direct Support Professional in Ohio at a state-run developmental center in their behavioral crisis placement home. He then went on to work for Advocacy and Protective Services Inc. as a professional guardian and later as a Service Coordinator in Delaware County. After coming to Oregon, Micah worked as a paraprofessional aid in Newberg High School Life Skills classroom, and as a Service Coordinator at Yamhill County Developmental Disabilities Program, before coming to work at The Arc Oregon where he is the Program Director for the Guardianship Advocacy and Planning Services Program, a Nationally Certified Guardian, and Charting the Life Course Ambassador. During his career he has primarily worked with adults in residential care settings including end of life transitions but has also worked as a Service Coordinator for young adults transitioning out of high school, into higher education, entering the work force, and other next stages of life.

Susan brings experience as a classroom teacher, a small business owner, more than a decade of experience as a Youth Transition Specialist and two decades of volunteer work in youth development to her role as a Pre-Employment Transition Services Coordinator. She is passionate about helping students find their voice and create a path to a meaningful and productive future.   Susan enjoys partnering with people and programs to work on common goals.  

Outside of work, Susan enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, board games and a variety of volunteer activities with her friends and family. 

Kriss Rita is a Transition Network Facilitator for Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties with over 20 years of experience. This includes working as a Learning Specialist and Transition Coordinator for the Centennial School District serving students ages 16-21, organizing an international learning support program and teaching at The Green School of Bali, and teaching Interagency Collaboration and Person-Centered-Supports to upcoming special educators as an adjunct faculty member at Portland State University. She also holds a graduate certificate in Positive Psychology, a coaching certification, and a Love + Work Leadership certification, all of which fuel her passion to support students and teams to flourish.

Marguerite Blackmore, Transition Network Facilitator with the High Desert ESD for Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Lake, and Wheeler counties, brings over 20 years of experience working with individuals with all abilities.  Previous roles in her career include Autism Specialist with the High Desert ESD, Special Education teacher at the Bend La Pine school district’s Transition Program and Therapeutic Recreation Specialists.  Her love in her work includes person/organizational planning, team collaboration, graphic recording and supporting students toward their best version of themselves.