A CATS Story: Leveraging Local Resources for AT Services
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This document summarizes the story of how a group of assistive technology coordinators in central Illinois formed a collaborative called CATS. It describes how they started by connecting informally, then purposefully expanded their group. They developed shared policies, procedures for resource sharing, and integrated AT into their infrastructure. Through trial and error, they learned to freely share expertise. CATS became a strategic group with an identity and shared values that addressed issues across systems. They developed regional professional development and consulted within each other's systems. Over time, they strengthened existing efforts and adapted to changes through resilience and persistence.
A CATS Story: Leveraging Local Resources for AT Services
- 1. A CATS Story: Leveraging Local Resources for AT Services
- 2. Just for Fun
- 3. Our Presentation and Other Resoruces http://coordinatorsofatservices.wikispaces.com http://bit.ly/CATSatCTG
- 4. This PresentationWIFM? Gain an understanding of how the group has Developed regional policies and procedures Systematized procedures for sharing physical resources across school systems and tracking such data Integrated AT into existing infrastructures Built capacity within school systems across the region
- 5. Brian Wojcik, Illinois State University Jodi Joyce Nibbelin, Illinois Dachauer, TCSEA State University Dawn Ritter, Tri-Valley Schools CATS Nora Bardi, Unit 5 Schools Lisa Bova, Unit 5 Rose Smith, LCSSU Schools Ashley Schnittker, District 87
- 6. OUR STORY
- 7. HELP ME! IM DROWNING
- 8. Our Story Aloneoverwhelmed lost Working in isolation without many resources
- 9. What we learned People who do AT wear many hats AT cannot be done aloneit is too big No one knows it all
- 11. Our Story A few of us started to connect Focus was informal and incidental Engaged in problem solving and information sharing Jointly attended conferences and other professional development activities
- 12. What we learned Connecting with others who understand AT helps to engage in the problem solving process Coordinated professional development allows us to leverage each others experiences Misery needs company and successes are better when celebrated with others
- 13. DRAWING THE MAP
- 14. Our Story Engaged in purposeful group expansion Participated in TONS of trial and error regarding AT processes and services Focused on supporting each other in our individual endeavors Started to collaborate on shared professional development
- 15. What we learned Group membership needs to be strategic Sounding boards are important Expertise needs to be freely shared, even when you are not in the same system
- 17. Our Story Realized we could work together across systems Developed an identity, a mission, a vision, and a set of values (Link) Started to address issues across systems to benefit individual systems We became credible
- 19. Resisting Dysfunction Lencioni, P. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 2002
- 20. What we learned Identity is important Our message was stronger as CATS than as individuals Discussion leads to good decisions Shared solutions address individual issues
- 22. Our Story Developed regional professional development activities Invited each others systems to our own professional development Inventoried, maintained, and cross-loaned AT Consulted within each others systems
- 23. What we learned In providing resources, we gained resources.
- 24. FACING THE EBB AND FLOW OF THE TIDES
- 25. Our Story Faced changes in priorities and fiscal resources CATS members came and went Efforts focused on strengthening what was in place and expanding/tweaking when necessary
- 26. What we learned Resilience is NOT futile; Persistence is important Change is inevitable Mentoring future members is essential Ongoing evaluation of needs, purposes, and activities is imperative
- 27. Questions