Shows
The Post Secondary Transition Podcast079. Interview: Jamie Brodnax - What is a Support Broker?_Full DiscussionSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) chat with Jamie Brodnax, a former Coordinator of Community Services who now runs her own Support Broker agency. They break down the differences between support brokers, CCSs, and administrators, and explore the broker’s role in self-directed services—from attending PCP meetings and budgeting to supporting families in setting goals and navigating policy changes. Jamie also shares tools she uses to stay organized, tips for handling staffing challenges, and why clear communication and early planning are key. Join the conversation!Episode Keywords:support broker, pers...2025-06-3040 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast078. Interview: Jamie Brodnax - What is a Support Broker? Pt. 2Send us a textIn this second installment, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss the role of support broker with Jamie Brodnax. They talk about assisting families with person-centered planning (PCP) and self-direction, emphasizing the importance of understanding family needs, identifying goals, and managing funding. Jamie highlights the use of various tools to help keep her sane including apps and trackers. Jamie also addresses the challenges of staffing issues, advocating for clear employee handbooks and underscores the need for support brokers to be well-informed, organized, and able to connect families with resources to ensure individuals with...2025-06-2324 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast077. Interview: Jamie Brodnax - What is a Support Broker? Pt. 1Send us a textIn this first installment, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss the role of Support Broker with Jamie Brodnax, who recently transitioned from Coordinator of Community Service (CCS) to running her own Support Broker agency. The team of three work to clarify the differences between support brokers, the CCS & day-to-day administrators. They emphasize the support broker's role in self-directed services, while Jamie explains some of the tasks her position asks for, including attending PCP meetings, budgeting, and creating newsletters to keep teams informed. They also talk about the importance of early planning and...2025-06-0918 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast076. Transportation/Travel Training: Wheels in MotionSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) work to broadly discuss transportation and travel training for students with disabilities, while recognizing its a tricky topic due to regional differences. They highlight the challenges families face in getting students to jobs and community activities, they explore school-provided travel training, public transportation options, and the importance of etiquette and safety on buses. They mention resources like the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) card and the potential roles of DD and VR agencies in providing transportation services. All this and more, so join the conversation!Episode...2025-05-2723 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast075. Resource(s): Transition ToolsSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) share a resource page they put together for their Post Secondary Transition website: Transition Tools. A few of the page's highlights cover the ABLE account (a tax-advantaged savings account for disability-related expenses), Comprehensive Transition Program (designed for adults with intellectual disabilities), Digital Portfolios (showcasing student achievement) and more. Join the conversation! Episode Keywords:Transition tools, ABLE account, comprehensive transition program, digital portfolios, work programs, supported education model, transition fair, special needs trust, vocational skills, academic learning, practical work experience, collaborative supports, skill building...2025-05-1210 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast074. MD Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)_Full DiscussionSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have gone back and combined two previous discussions about Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and, at the same time, cleaned up the audio a bit. We emphasize the importance of completing a DDA application by age 14, including necessary documentation. We cover how the application process involves assessment and determining the young adult's support needs. We work to explain the difference between entitlement and eligibility, the various waivers (Community Pathways, Community Supports), and the importance of a person-centered plan. We also highlight the role of the Coordinator of...2025-04-2839 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast073. DDA Eligibility Categories Fine PrintSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss the eligibility categories for Developmental Disabilities (DD) agencies and what that means for families. They talk about the distinction between "Future Needs" and "Current Request" levels. They cover the "Supports Only" designation, and how that can require additional documentation. Additionally, they also touch on "Crisis Prevention" and "Crisis Resolution" for urgent needs, highlighting the importance of gathering comprehensive documentation to support these requests. Join the conversation!Episode Keywords:DD services, Developmental Disabilities Administration, eligibility, future needs, current request, choice letter, coordinator, supports only, c...2025-04-2116 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast072. Building Futures: Business's For All FairSend us a textTypically, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss aspects of the transition process. However, this week Patrick is on his own to discuss a local business fair organized by Meghan and co-worker Erin Bourque (also a Transition Coordinator). The business fair highlighted businesses that support individuals with disabilities and emphasized the importance of visibility and opportunity for people with disabilities. Join the conversation!Episode Keywords:disability community, inclusive world, local businesses, special needs, employment opportunities, role models, micro-businesses, visibility, career paths, support systems, family involvementLinks:Humanium...2025-04-0710 minThe Post Secondary Transition PodcastPodshare: Disability Daily Podcast - Ray Curzwell & Abraham LincolnSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) continue to play catch-up with their schedules. In the meantime, we thank Dr. Katie Healey for letting us "borrow" one of her episodes from the Disability Daily Podcast; the podcast works to shine light on figures or events in disability history each day.From February, Katie talks about Dr. Ray Curzwell and the impact his inventions have had on modern society and good old "honest" Abe Lincoln, whose personal experiences and policies impacted individuals with disabilities.Thanks again to Dr. Healey for her...2025-03-2408 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast071. Financial Literacy QuicklookSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have a short discussion on the importance of financial literacy for students with disabilities, noting a common stigma that they cannot manage their own money. They emphasize the shift from handling cash to using debit cards and the need for basic financial education. Practical strategies include community-based instruction, involving students in household financial decisions, and using chores and allowances to teach budgeting. They highlight the significance of understanding banking, the difference between necessities and luxuries, and the impact of taxes on paychecks. Join the conversation!...2025-03-0312 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast070. ABLE Accounts vs. Special Needs TrustSend us a textHost Meghan (Smallwood) and (Patrick Cadigan) discuss estate planning for individuals with disabilities, focusing on ABLE accounts and special needs trusts. They review how ABLE accounts, available in over 45 states, can be used for various expenses like transportation, medical bills and education. They also cover how a special needs trust is managed by attorneys to ensure funds are used for a beneficiary's sole benefit and other useful information. Join the conversation!Episode Keywords:estate planning, ABLE account, special needs trust, SSI, Medicaid, financial management, disability, public benefits, assistive technology, guardianship...2025-02-1711 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast069. Parent Interview: The Nirschls_Full Discussion (Ep.04 & 05 re-listen)Send us a textHosts Megan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have re-cut their 2022 parent interview with Nick and Remy Nirschl, whose son Rich was preparing to transition out of the school system. The Nirschls share their journey, including Rich's early signs of autism, the challenges of getting a diagnosis, and their experiences with various educational and therapeutic programs. They emphasize the importance of early intervention, the benefits of SSI (Supplemental Security Income), and the decision to pursue self-direction for Rich's post-school life. The conversation highlights the need for parents to start planning early, connect with resources, and...2025-02-0338 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast068. Resource(s): Assistive TechnologySend us a textFor this week, hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) focus more at a local level to discuss resources around Assistive Technology (AT). They emphasize the importance of understanding AT needs which can range from low-tech to high-tech. They highlight local resources and some of the benefits they can provide. They also parallel their conversation with some potential supports for home modifications for families in need. Join the conversation! Episode Keywords:assistive technology, transition process, special education, IEP team, low tech, mid tech, high tech, funding sources, DDA, Medicaid, SSI, equipment...2025-01-2020 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast067. Resource: Vocational Rehabilitative (VR) Agency LocatorSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan), take a few minutes this week to highlight a resource to locate Rehabilitative Agencies. They emphasize the need for families to research specific states as each has its own eligibility criteria and service offerings; VR agencies typically provide job training, assistive technology, and career counseling. Join the conversation!Episode Keywords:vocational rehabilitation, developmental disabilities, job placement, assistive technology, career assessments, counseling services, eligibility criteria, state-specific agencies, resource website, waiting lists, transition processLinks:Vocational Rehabilitative Agency (page)State Vocational Rehabilitation A...2025-01-0606 minThe Post Secondary Transition Podcast066. Interview: YouTube Content Creator Cody Leach_Full DiscussionSend us a textHosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) have a discussion with Cody Leach, a movie review YouTuber with 176k+ subscribers, about his journey to becoming a full-time content creator. Cody discusses the importance of focusing on a niche, managing negative feedback, navigating challenges like copyright issues and YouTube’s complexities. Cody also shares advice for aspiring YouTubers on content planning, balancing creativity with business, and building resilience in the face of criticism. Join the conversation! Episode Keywords:YouTube content creator, transition process, student interviews, journey, video editing, audience engagement, recording space, li...2024-12-3050 min