Future Ready:
A Workshop for Teens and Their Families
June 18 - 19 | Tundra Lodge, Green Bay
Growing up means new choices, new responsibilities, and new opportunities. Future Ready is a two-day interactive workshop designed to help teens with disabilities and their families prepare for the move to adult life — together.
Teens will build confidence, self-advocacy skills, and create a clear vision for their future. As parents, you will gain practical guidance on adult systems, decision-making options, and learn how you can support their increasing independence. Through expert-led sessions, peer learning, and planning activities, participants explore healthcare, education, employment, adult long-term care, community life, financial tools and skills needed for the real world.
This workshop is best suited for teens, between the ages of 14 and 19, who have a disability or special health care need, and are at a level of need to qualify for long-term support services. We encourage teens to attend with one or more parents and/or primary caregivers.
You will leave with a shared understanding of what transition means, concrete next steps, and tools to move forward with your teen in greater confidence based on teamwork.
To ensure a quality experience this group will be held to a limited number of families. Early registration is recommended.
Fees
Event Cost: $350 per Person
CLTS Funding Information: Future Ready is coordinated by Family Voices of Wisconsin, an approved organization in the state CLTS Provider registry. We encourage families to work with their teen’s CLTS service coordinator to add this event to their service plan. Contact Beth, beth@fvofwi.org for more information about this possibility.
*If your teen with a disability requires 1-on-1 support to participate, a caregiver/chaperone may register for $150. This means the caregiver will be with your teen and not attending adult learning sessions. If two parents will share this responsibility, one can register at the full $350 rate, and one can register at the $150 caregiver rate.
**This workshop is for parents and teens. Meals and activities for other family members will not be offered.
Lodging
Thanks to a generous grant from the Wispact Foundation, lodging on Thursday, June 18 at the Tundra Lodge will be offered to all registered families at no cost. Family Voices of Wisconsin will take care of your reservation. Those driving more than 2 hours may also be eligible for lodging on Wednesday night – please reach out to Lynn@fvofwi.org to request the extra night. Limited stipends for travel are available if requested.
Teens Learn with Parents and with Other Teens
During the 2-day workshop, teens will have time learning with parents and will also be in their own facilitated sessions with their peers on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
Event Schedule Highlights
Thursday, June 18
Overview of Self Determination: Maria Cerretti, Disability Rights Wisconsin
Activity – Parent Interviews Teen: Danielle Tolzmann, Family Voices of Wisconsin
Thursday, June 18
Luncheon and Networking with Peers
Self-Advocacy Panel, The Ability Ambassadors
Thursday, June 18
Guardianship and Supported-Decision Making: Danielle Tolzmann, Family Voices of Wisconsin
The Role of ADRCs and Adult Long-Term Care: Brown County ADRC
The Transition from CLTS to Adult Programs: Lisa Reindl, Manitowoc County
Healthcare Transition Planning: Bob Woodford, Children’s Resource Center – Northeast
Thursday, June 18
Dinner with Family Member and Peers
Activity – Team Building Exercise
Friday, June 19
Breakfast with Family Member and Peers
Activity – Warm Up
Education and School Transition Planning: Sara Nerenhausen, WSPEI
Employment, DVR and Supported Employment: Jolene Wanek and Bethany Courtney, Employment Resources, Inc.
Financial Planning: Jennifer Torgrude, Synergy Advisory Group
Friday, June 19
Luncheon
Friday, June 19
Housing, Community Living, Voting and Self Advocacy: Family Voices of Wisconsin Staff
Moving from Director to Coach: Tim Markle, Waisman Center
Wrap Up: Danielle Tolzmann, Family Voices of Wisconsin