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A collaborative project of the Detroit Public Schools and Wayne State University

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This project seeks to build caring social networks and connections in neighborhoods 
for students with severe disabilities in the Detroit Public Schools who live in or near 
Detroit's Empowerment Zone. 

Transition Consultants of the Detroit Public Schools, and Family and Community Outreach 
Coordinator, a Faculty Support Coordinator, and a Program Evaluator work as a team in this
effort to use the following strategies to help students with severe disabilities be part of their 
communities, obtain employment, and increase their quality of life. The program utilizes
the following tools in this process. 

- Person-centered planning

- Circles of support

- Peer mentorships

- Neighborhood to school connections

- Neighborhood employment and participation

- Neighborhood inclusive planning

Transition Consultants of the Detroit Public Schools each work with five students with severe disabilities per year to facilitate person-centered planning and circles of support with people in the families and neighborhoods of these students.

The Family and Community Outreach Coordinator assists in planning and circles and develop linkages with people, organizations, and businesses in the neighborhoods of these students.

The Faculty Support Coordinator, a faculty member of Wayne State University, provides training and technical assistance to all staff, family, and community members in implementing person-centered planning, circles of support, and peer mentorships.

The Program Evaluator tracks impacts on students, the neighborhoods in which students live, families, and the service delivery of the school system and community agencies.

Wayne State University Staff

Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael Peterson Wayne State University College of Education 217 Education Bldg. Detroit, MI 48202 j_m_peterson@wayne.edu

Family & Community Outreach Coordinator: Sharon Murphy Wayne State University College of Education 214 Education Bldg. Detroit, MI 48202 s_murphy@coe.wayne.edu

Evaluator: Dr. George Ntiri Wayne State University College of Education 214 Educaiton Bldg. Detroit, MI 48202

Detroit Public Schools Staff

Co-Director: Judy Mock Detroit Public Schools Offce of Specialized Student Services 5057 Woodward Ave, #858 Detroit, MI 48202

Transition Consultants: Robert Avedisian Joan Matthews Samuel Morrow Rosa Qualls

Bunche School Office of Transition Services 2601 Ellery Detroit, MI 48207