Send us a text

Hosts Meghan (Smallwood) and Patrick (Cadigan) discuss a summer checklist for families navigating the transition process. They talk updating DD (Developmental Disabilities) information, ensuring recent assessments/IEPs, connecting with other parents for advice, and researching community services. They emphasize the importance of creating a home folder for documents, understanding timelines with coordinators, and exploring volunteer opportunities to build work skills. All this and more! Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
summer schedule, transition topics, DDA coordinator, current request, agency choice letter, assessments, IEP reevaluation, parent networking, guardianship, volunteer opportunities, community resources, transition timeline, work skills, local businesses

Links:
Post Secondary Transition (site)
Transition Maze (blog)
Ep. 30 Exit Year (link)
Ep. 72 Business’s For All Fair (link)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Oh, What A Cake! (site)
Libs Grills (site)
Apple Spice (site)
Biggs and Featherbelle (site)
That Smoothie Place (site)
Zoe's Just Dezzerts (site)

Micro-business:
Leaders of the Pack (site)
Spencer's Groovy Tie Dye (site)
Moore Crunch (site)

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

Hosts 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, person-centered planning, DDA budget, self-direction, IEP meetings, staff hiring, activity planning, fiscal management agency, employee handbook, termination process, time management, organizational skills, self-advocacy, community resources, self-directed services, DDA, budgeting, compliance, day-to-day administrator, transition coordinator, newsletter, advocacy groups, fiscal management services, PCP meetings, family support

Links:
Acronyms/Definitions (page)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Achieving Independent Support Services (site)
DDA Connection (page)

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.

Send us a text

In 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 disabilities can lead fulfilling lives. Join the conversation!

Episode Keywords:
support broker, person-centered planning, DDA budget, self-direction, IEP meetings, staff hiring, activity planning, fiscal management agency, employee handbook, termination process, time management, organizational skills, self-advocacy, community resources

Links:
Acronyms/Definitions (page)

Maryland (specific) Links/Supports:
Achieving Independent Support Services (site)
DDA Connection (page)

Support the show

To download a copy of a transcript for this episode or any of our previous conversations, click here.
Also visit our Podcast webpage to find links to all of our other discussions; go to www.p2transition.com.
Additional information about post-secondary transition can be found at our website.
The Post-Secondary Transition Podcast Facebook page.
Visit our YouTube Channel to find additional video resources.
Intro/Outro music by AudioCoffee from Pixabay.
Transition music by Joseph McDade from Transistor.