Education and Capacity Building

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Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor

Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor is a monthly YouTube series dedicated to promoting self-advocacy efforts across the state of Mississippi. Each episode features engaging conversations with special guests on a variety of topics, including community initiatives, statewide developments, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and personal updates from Taylor through vlog-style content. The series may be located on YouTube by searching for the Chit Chat Thursday with Taylor channel. This program is provided through a collaborative grant through the Southeast ADA Center and the Institute’s core grant.

For more information, contact Taylor Carley, Self Advocacy Coordinator, at Robert.Carley@usm.edu or 601.266.4763. 

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Related Disabilities (LEND)

The LEND Southern Miss program provides long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training as well as interdisciplinary services and care. The purpose of the program is to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities by preparing trainees from diverse professional disciplines to assume leadership roles in their respective fields. 

The Southern Miss program is an extension of the Arkansas LEND program. This program is provided by a collaborative grant through the University of Arkansas for Medical Services.

For more information, contact Jerry R. Alliston, PhD, MSW, Interim Executive Director, at Jerry.Alliston@usm.edu or 601.266.5979.

RISE To The Top! Southern Miss

RISE To The Top! is a fully approved, 4-year, 8-semester inclusive non-degree certificate program for students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. The program—one of only two in the state of Mississippi—provides these students an inclusive college experience by incorporating academics, community engagement, employment, and student life through all activities. This program, a collaboration between the Institute and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development, is provided through the Institute’s core grant and programmatic fees. Learn more about the RISE To The Top program.

For more information, contact Danielle Mullins, LMSW, Executive Coordinator for RISE, at Alyssa.Parks@usm.edu or 601.266.5962. 

Southeast ADA Center Southern Miss

The Southeast Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Center Southern Miss program is one of eight extended state and local affiliate networks. The Mississippi affiliate program provides information, training, materials, and technical assistance on the ADA and Technology Access. Specifically, Mississippi promotes the ADA through a focus on youth and young adults with disabilities through summits, training, and the Chit Chat with Taylor Thursdays YouTube series. This program is provided by a collaborative grant through the Southeast ADA Center.

For more information, contact Jerry R. Alliston, PhD, MSW, Interim Executive Director, at Jerry.Alliston@usm.edu or 601.266.5979.

Transition of Teens to Adult Life (ToTAL)

The Transition of Teens to Adult Life (ToTAL) program equips youth and young adults with disabilities the tools, training, and experiences needed to successfully navigate from high school to adult life. Grounded in the principle that all young people should have opportunities to contribute meaningfully within their communities, ToTAL’s core focus areas include career preparation, community service, self-advocacy and leadership, and support for postsecondary success. ToTAL offers Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to eligible students, including job exploration counseling, workplace readiness training, self-advocacy instruction, work-based learning experiences, and postsecondary guidance.

For more information, contact Beth Robertson, Executive Coordinator for Transition to Adulthood Services (Long Beach), at Beth.Robertson@usm.edu or 228.214.3422.