Youth-in-Care with Disabilities Training Project
The Youth-in-Care with Disabilities Training Project began in September 2025 as part of the West 40 Intermediate Service Center #2’s school-based mental health grant with the U.S. Department of Education. This project is in partnership with UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Rehabilitation and Employment.
The training project aims to support school-based mental health professionals in increasing their knowledge and skills in supporting youth with disabilities involved in the child welfare system. Child welfare professionals and caregivers will also benefit from participation in this project. The project includes a 4-part webinar series with renowned speakers providing foundational knowledge of systems including child welfare, special education, and other systems that these youth are involved with, strategies to support their mental health and complex medical needs, and information on transition services for youth aging out of care. Following the webinar series, participants are encouraged to participate in communities of practice to further strengthen their skills through in-depth conversations. A handbook and other resources are made available as part of this project.
Youth-in-Care with Disabilities Webinar Series Part 1: Understanding Systems and Effective Systems Collaboration – October 16, 2025
Youth-in-Care with Disabilities Webinar Series Part 2: Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Youth-in-Care with Disabilities – November 10, 2025
- Recorded webinar – COMING SOON
- Powerpoint – COMING SOON
Youth-in-Care with Disabilities Webinar Series Part 3: Supporting Youth-in-Care with Complex Medical Needs – November 20, 2025
- Recorded webinar – COMING SOON
- Powerpoint – COMING SOON
Youth-in-Care with Disabilities Webinar Series Part 4: Transition Services for Youth-in-Care with Disabilities – December 11, 2025
- Recorded webinar – COMING SOON
- Powerpoint – COMING SOON
Youth-in-Care with Disabilities Resource Handbook – COMING SOON