STRENGTHENING PATHWAYS Transition Training (Virtual Workshop)

Join us to learn about the agencies that form our state's Capacity Building Institute and how this collaborative team is working to increase knowledge of evidence-based transition practices, strengthen cross-agency partnerships, and promote youth engagement and leadership in transition planning. Participants will also be introduced to The Rural School Outreach Program, funded by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Together, the Capacity Building Institute and The Rural School Outreach Program developed Regional Post-Secondary Transition Resource Binders, featuring community-specific resources, post-secondary transition timelines, and planning tools for educators. This session will include a walkthrough of the binder components and guidance on how to access additional training and support through The Rural School Outreach Program.

Presenter Bios:

Kari Tarter earned her B.S. in Special Education: Mild-Moderate Disabilities from The University of Arizona. Following this, she completed her master's in Special Education: Severe and Multiple Disabilities, through the same institution while working as a teacher for the district. Kari has worked in the special education field since 2018, with her primary focus on supporting and instructing students with emotional and behavioral disabilities in the K-12 population. During her internship for her master's degree, she enjoyed supporting older learners as a peer mentor for Project Focus: a unique post-high school transition program for young adult students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Kari moved back home to Montana in 2021 and started work as an independent contractor where she provided private academic intervention services. In November 2023, Kari joined the Rural Institute as a Public Education Specialist for the Rural School Outreach project. Her focus areas are transition to adulthood and deafblindess. She also works on the Peer Support, Sandbox, and Montana Transition Resources projects.

Kim Brown, BSW, MSW, RSW, started her human services career in 1982. She joined the University of Montana Rural Institute in 2003 and has provided technical assistance, training and on-site support to schools, agencies, families, and students in the areas of transition, employment, and Social Security Work Incentives. She currently serves as Project Coordinator for the Rural Institute Consumer Advisory Council, Principal Investigator for the Family-to-Family Health Information Center, and Director for the Children’s Special Health Services Transition Project and the Montana DeafBlind Project. Kim has taught both on-campus and online undergraduate-level social work classes in the United States and Canada. In addition, she runs a small private counseling practice.