Prepare for your student’s future with Achieva’s dynamic session covering essential topics:

Planning Early:
Discover the importance of early planning, aligning passions with careers, and utilizing resources effectively.

Avoiding the Drop Off:
Navigate the transition smoothly, create a supportive home environment, and keep your student motivated and focused.

Inclusion Matters:
Understand diverse learning needs, explore inclusive education options, and advocate for equal opportunities.

Prepare Yourself for Your Child’s Transition:
Learn effective communication, manage emotional challenges, and practice self-care during this pivotal time.

Join this webinar for practical insights and tools, empowering you to guide your student toward a successful post-high school journey. Register here

Presenters

Mary Hartley is the Executive Director of the PEAL Center. PEAL works with Pennsylvania families, youth and young adults with disabilities to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves. Mary is a parent advocate who got her start volunteering with the Pittsburgh Local Task Force on the Right to Education. In 2007, Hartley began her professional career at Achieva on the Disability Healthcare Initiative and has since directed and managed multiple Pennsylvania public policy initiatives.  For five years she worked on United Way’s 21 and Able (transition to adulthood) initiative with self-advocates and parents, professionals and policymakers, including #IWantToWork, increasing employment and financial freedom through three legislative changes. Hartley was appointed by Governor Wolf to serve on the Employment First Oversight Commission where she was the inaugural Chair. She has served on the Board of Disability Rights Pennsylvania and is past Chair of UPMC’s Disability Resource Council. Mary lives in Pittsburgh with her husband Bob and two children.

Lisa Giarrusso Silverman, Esquire
For the past 20 years, Lisa has actively volunteered to serve the interests of people with disabilities. This passion naturally occurred as one of Lisa’s adult sons has Down syndrome. Lisa currently serves on the boards of The Miracle League of the South Hills, The Education Law Center of Pennsylvania, the Transition Coordinating Council of Allegheny County, and The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh. Lisa formerly served as a co-chair of The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s 21 and Able Committee (now part of the PEAL Center) and served on the boards of Achieva, the Center for Theater Arts and the State Board of Education for Private Academic Schools. Additionally, Lisa served as President of both the Mt. Lebanon High School PTA and the Mt. Lebanon Choir Parents Association. Lisa also served on the Host Committee for the National Down Syndrome Congress National Convention that was held in Pittsburgh in June 2019 and coordinated the First Responder Disability Awareness Training that occurred concurrently with the Convention.