Kessler Foundation's Elaine Katz joins disability experts at National Transition Conference

West Orange, NJ. May 27, 2012. Elaine Katz, VP of Grants and Special Initiatives at Kessler Foundation will participate in a panel of funding experts at the 2012 National Transition Conference: College and Careers for Youth with Disabilities. The conference, which is being held May 30 – June 1, 2012 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. , promotes practices, policy and research that lead to successful employment outcomes and self-sufficiency for young people with disabilities. More than 700 partners in the transition community, including educators, researchers, health professionals, government officials, and young adults and families, will attend.

This conference is hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and supported by the New England TACE Center at the Institute for Community Inclusion, University of Massachusetts Boston.

Post-recession, both public and private funders are seeking to leverage their grant making to make the biggest impact and improve employment outcomes. On Thursday, May 31, 2012 from 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM, the expert panel will address 'Navigating the Silos: Funding Strategies for Aligning and Leveraging Grant Funds.' Moderated by Kim Hutchinson, President/CEO, Disability Funders Network, the panel will explore public-private funding opportunities and how best to align and leverage available grant funds to support funding for college and careers for youth with disabilities.

Elaine Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, of Kessler Foundation joins Peter V. Berns, CEO of Arc of United States, Tad Asbury, VP & Executive Director of Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities, Kevin Webb, Executive Director of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, Anita Altman of the UJA Federation, and Betty Siegel of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. These leaders in disability funding will share how they are using their financial and intellectual capital for systemic change in transition services to create a more contemporary workforce development strategy for unemployed and underemployed youth with disabilities.

Provided by Kessler Foundation