NH Transition Community of Practice
FACT SHEET 2016 The mission of the New Hampshire Transition Community of Practice is to make a difference in the lives of New Hampshire youth and to support successful transitions to life after high school by fostering cooperation, collaboration, and the development of best practices among cross stakeholder communities.
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE? Communities of Practice (COPs) are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. Etienne Wenger, June 2006
CHARACTERISTICS OF COPs
Voluntary
Non-hierarchical
Collaborative
Convenes on a regular basis
Organic in its development
Open to varied perspectives
Asks, "Who is missing from the table?"
Finds ways to connect the work at the local, state, and national level
OUR HISTORY In 2004 New Hampshire joined the National Transition Community of Practice led by the IDEA Partnership. This involvement led to the formation of the New Hampshire Transition Community of Practice (COP). EtieTHe
COP is currently made up of approximately 70 individuals at state, local, EtiennaEEti and community levels who represent a wide array of experiences and expertise. The COP meets monthly to share resources, problemsolve, and work together to improve transition services and supports for New Hampshire's youth by using the Community of Practice philosophy. Our activities include: Coordinating an annual Transition Summit Development and support of local and regional communities of practice throughout the state Sharing resources and information toward the development of best practices, trainings, toolkits Discussion of transition services and support issues & barriers and ways to impact change Acting as an Advisory Board to other New Hampshire transition initiatives
NH Transition Community Of Practice
Supporting successful transitions to life after high school
National Transition Community of Practice
NEW HAMPSHIRE TRANSITION COP CONTACTS Southwest: Betsy Street,
[email protected] Greater Seacoast: Heidi Wyman,
[email protected]
New Hampshire Transition Community of Practice
Local or Regional Transition Communities of Practice
South Central: Dawn Breault,
[email protected] or
[email protected] Manchester: Mariellen MacKay,
[email protected] NH Transition Community of Practice:
[email protected]
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF BEING A STATE COP MEMBER? Member
Organization
Short Term Value
Get input/feedback Access to experts Meaningful work Enjoy working with colleagues
Networking Accomplishes work more efficiently & effectively Learn a great deal from local implementers
Long Term Value
Time saving New perspectives Work with new stakeholders Help or solve problems or issues
Greater dissemination Improved practices & products Replication of best practices Increased sustainability
