A collaborative project of the Detroit Public Schools and Wayne State University

This project seeks to build caring social networks and connections in neighborhoods 
for students with severe disabilities in the Detroit Public Schools who live in or near 
Detroit's Empowerment Zone. 

Transition Consultants of the Detroit Public Schools, and Family and Community Outreach 
Coordinator, a Faculty Support Coordinator, and a Program Evaluator work as a team in this
effort to use the following strategies to help students with severe disabilities be part of their 
communities, obtain employment, and increase their quality of life. The program utilizes
the following tools in this process. 

- Person-centered planning

- Circles of support

- Peer mentorships

- Neighborhood to school connections

- Neighborhood employment and participation

- Neighborhood inclusive planning

Transition Consultants of the Detroit Public Schools each work with five students with severe disabilities per year to facilitate person-centered planning and circles of support with people in the families and neighborhoods of these students.

The Family and Community Outreach Coordinator assists in planning and circles and develop linkages with people, organizations, and businesses in the neighborhoods of these students.

The Faculty Support Coordinator, a faculty member of Wayne State University, provides training and technical assistance to all staff, family, and community members in implementing person-centered planning, circles of support, and peer mentorships.

The Program Evaluator tracks impacts on students, the neighborhoods in which students live, families, and the service delivery of the school system and community agencies.


Wayne State University Staff
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael Peterson
Wayne State University
College of Education
217 Education Bldg.
Detroit, MI 48202
j_m_peterson@wayne.edu
Family & Community Outreach Coordinator:
Sharon Murphy

Wayne State University
College of Education
214 Education Bldg.
Detroit, MI 48202
s_murphy@coe.wayne.edu
Evaluator:
Dr. George Ntiri

Wayne State University
College of Education
214 Educaiton Bldg.
Detroit, MI 48202



Detroit Public Schools Staff
Co-Director:
Judy Mock
Detroit Public Schools
Offce of Specialized
Student Services
5057 Woodward Ave, #858
Detroit, MI 48202
Transition Consultants:
Robert Avedisian
Joan Matthews
Samuel Morrow
Rosa Qualls
Bunche School
Office of Transition Services
2601 Ellery
Detroit, MI 48207


...and the Detroit Public Schools.


GO BACK TO BUILDING COMMUNITY CIRCLES IN DETROIT

BUILDING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES