A Youth Toolkit on Personal Assistance Services

Transitioning into adulthood can be awkward for nearly every young person. For transition-age youth with disabilities, issues surrounding managing Personal Assistance Services (PAS) can be intensified by normal developmental concerns such as striking out on your own and navigating the road into adulthood. Accessing and maintaining long-term supports, such as PAS, has often been a significant barrier to employment of youth and adults with disabilities.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), through its Youth Technical Assistance Center, recently announced the release of Making the Move to Managing Your Own Personal Assistance Services (PAS): A Toolkit for Youth Transitioning to Adulthood, a guide designed to help transition-age youth with significant disabilities, as well as their family and friends navigate the complex world of PAS.

We would like to request your assistance in helping us get the word out about the PAS Toolkit.

Here are some ideas:

· Publish the attached news brief about the PAS Toolkit in your newsletter and other publications;

· Send an e-blast about the PAS Toolkit to your constituents;

· Download the PAS toolkit in Word or PDF version and share with your colleagues;

· Place a news item about the PAS Toolkit on your website, blog or Twitter feed.

To link to the PAS Toolkit from your website, please visit www.ncwd-youth.info/PAS-Toolkit.

In addition, speakers from ODEP are available to present at your events on the PAS Toolkit. For additional information or to inquire about speakers, please send an email to ePolicyWorksHealthCare@dol.gov or call 1-866-ODEP-DOL (633-7365), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

Thank you for your support and helping us spread the word about this valuable resource for youth with disabilities.

Sincerely,

The ePolicyWorks Team

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Voice 1-866-ODEP-DOL (633-7365) TTY 1-877-889-5627

Email: ePolicyWorksHealthCare@dol.gov