Wisconsin Community on Transition (WiCoT)

The Wisconsin Community on Transition (WiCoT) was created to make informed decisions regarding transition issues and sustain transition practices that build capacity and lead to positive post-school outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The team provides professional development opportunities and serve as liaisons that enhance the ability to collaborate and inform practices statewide. WiCoT is dedicated to serving youth, families, educators, and transition partners throughout Wisconsin.

The WiCoT promotes the following mission, vision, and purpose:

Mission: Inform and empower local County Communities on Transition (CCoTs) and key partners to consistently implement transition best practices in schools and communities.

Vision: Build and maintain structures that support individuals with disabilities to make informed decisions throughout their transition to adulthood.

Purpose: To serve as liaisons to foster communication and collaboration in support of successful post-school outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

black woman sitting and talking at others around her at a table

The Wisconsin Community on Transition is comprised of state and local level leadership focused on areas of transition for youth with disabilities in Wisconsin. The following members serve on the team.

Co-Facilitators

Pam Jenson -Transition Improvement Grant
Alicia Reinhard -Department of Public Instruction

Core Team Members

A core team member commits to 4-5 in-person meetings per year for 4 hours each. In addition, core team members will also attend 4-5 1-hour virtual business meetings per year. This team will be responsible for developing content, working on action steps, and preparing items for feedback from the larger group. Core team members will also be members of the larger business team.

Megan Acheson-TMG Wisconsin
Shannon Aylesworth-University of Wisconsin Milwaukee-Accessibility Resource Center
Pam Richter-Boss-Department of Corrections-Division of Juvenile Corrections
Michelle Buehl-Department of Corrections-Division of Juvenile Corrections
Andrea Elsmo– Disability and Aging Services Unit-Dane County Department of Human Services
Sarah Kuehn-Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Tim Markle-Wisconsin Youth Health Transition Initiative
Caroline Rossing-Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Education Initiative
Melissa Skenandore-Department of Health Services-Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Cheri Sylla-Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative
Sara Truse-Department of Health Services-Office for Resource Center Development (ADRCs)

Business Team Members

A business team member will commit to 1-hour virtual meetings 4-5 times per year. This team will be responsible for acting as statewide liaisons for key transition practices and provide input and feedback on WiCoT priorities/action steps.

Michelle LaBas-Bowen – Burlington Area School District
Darla Burton-CESA 3-Regional Career Pathway Coordinator
Leanna Cernohous-School District of Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan
Wendy Christianson – Stevens Point Area School District
Jeremy Gundlach-Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
Tammy Hofmeister-Department of Health Services-Medicaid Services Bureau of Policy Oversight Section, Community Integration and Innovation Services
Rachel Kramer-Department of Health Services-Medicaid Services Bureau of Policy Oversight Section, Community Integration and Innovation Services
Spencer Lameka-My Choice WI
Colleen Larsen-Wisconsin Technical College System
Shane McDonough – Green Bay Area Public School District
Robert Meyer-Department of Health Services, Long Term Care Professional
Nelsinia Ramos-Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training & Support, Inc.
Jess Smith-University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Community Engagement and Professions
Stacey Teegardin-Department of Health Services, Behavioral Health
Tracy Wozniak-Milwaukee Public Schools
Christine Zastrow – Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Wisconsin Community on Transition

To learn more about the WiCoT or how to participate please email or call Pam Jenson at (608) 921-1400.

Call Pam Jenson