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Initiatives

Golisano Foundation and UR Launch New Institute for Innovative Transition
New Institute Prepares Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities for a Successful Adulthood

June 5, 2008-- In response to a vital community need for effective transition information, programs, and services for young adults with disabilities and their families, the Golisano Foundation has teamed up with the University of Rochester to launch an Institute for Innovative Transition, an effort that will impact more than 900 families in Monroe County.

The Institute will be housed at the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities, a division of Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong. It is made possible thanks to a $600,000 grant from the Golisano Foundation, which aims to improve the quality of life for young adults with developmental disabilities and their families as they transition from school age to adulthood. See news release and more information

Collaborative Community Transition Planning Process

This report was funded by the Golisano Foundation.

In April of 2006, over one hundred members of the Greater Rochester, New York
community—youth with developmental disabilities and supportive family members, educators, administrators, advocates, community leaders, state agency and adult services personnel— gathered to begin a comprehensive examination of the transition process from high school to the adult world for students with developmental disabilities. Since then we have convened Expert Panels, reviewed data, explored best practices and held many discussions to provide us with further information and insights on transition.

The data we gathered in this process is largely qualitative and relies on people's
perceptions of their experiences. Strong themes emerged in the discussions by the Expert Panels.

National and statewide data and the local voices of individuals, families, and
professionals tell us that students with developmental disabilities are struggling through the transition process and not realizing their hopes and dreams. The gaps in experiences and outcomes between students with developmental disabilities and students without disabilities demand our attention.