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Transition Info  Laws & Regs  Planning  Outcomes Project  Stories COT Youth Leadership Maine YES! Resource Materials How To Reach Us Home Page  Home > Youth Leadership Youth Leadership Activities sponsored by the Maine Transition Network Youth Leadership for youth with disabilities in Maine is focused on providing youth with the life experiences and knowledge they will need to make them strong leaders, effective self-advocates, and full participants in the planning of their future. The activities, co-facilitated by youth and adults, encourage youth to take on new roles and expand their learning and leadership skills They also attend trainings on how to prepare for post-secondary school, employment, developing their IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and leading their Pupil Evaluation Team (PET) meetings. Recent accomplishments of Maine Youth Leaders include: Promoted proactive transition planning Developed and led Dream and SNOW workshops Planned and facilitated Multiple Intelligences Workshops Learned and taught self-advocacy skills Met with Maine Legislature at the Hall of Flags Attended and participated in Futures Planning meetings and PET Meetings Developed and facilitated transition planning portfolio workshops Used the dream and SNOW process in career planning with 7th graders Organized workshops on transition related information for area schools Each year, youth leaders across the state come together to plan, facilitate and attend the annual youth leadership retreat. In September of 2005, over 60 youth from all corners of Maine converged on Pine Tree Camp for the annual two-day retreat titled "It's My Life, It's Now or Never". The retreat included trainings about employment, the Real Game©, anti-bullying, self-advocacy, and speaking up at your PET. Tom Broussard, the keynote speaker, provided his changing hats presentation, focusing on different aspects of work and the transition from one job to the next in search of a career. Team building activities and a dance provided youth with the opportunity and time to get to know one another, share skills, and build friendships. Much of the structure and the materials used in teaching our youth leaders are part of our curriculum titled Transition Planning: Building a Framework for the Future. The most frequently used materials include: Kids Pack or SNOW & Dream process (PDF | DOC) 6 Areas to Think About as I Plan for My Future (PDF | DOC) My Rights in High School Age of Majority For more information about our Youth Leadership program email us at cot@mainetransition.org To find out what Youth Leadership activities are happening near you go to the regional events calendar for your region.