USM Institute Announces WhatsYourPurpose2021 Youth Transition Campaign

Mon, 01/11/2021 - 01:00pm | By: Jerry Alliston

The Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) Transition to Adulthood Programs at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has unveiled a new 2021 campaign titled, #WhatsYourPurpose2021.

Throughout the year, transition leaders, including youth/young adults with and without disabilities, their family members and those that serve them, will be featured in short videos and social media posts promoting transition successes and challenging others to pursue their goals.

Each video and post will highlight young adults and members of their support networks sharing their future life purposes. To view the videos and monthly Facebook posts, viewers are encouraged to “like” the IDS Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/msusmids. When sharing the campaign posts, include the hashtag #WhatsYourPurpose2021.

For more than 40 years, IDS has maintained its mission to "positively affect the lives of Mississippi citizens with developmental and other disabilities and their families across the lifespan and to work toward increasing their independence, productivity, and community inclusion.” IDS promotes four emphasis areas for its programs and services: Early Childhood Inclusion and Education, Housing, Transition to Adulthood, and Wellness.

The IDS transition to adulthood programs promote full community inclusion, productivity and independence for youth and young adults with and without disabilities. Transition emphasis includes the following areas:

· EMPLOYMENT - Focuses on preparing youth and young adults for meaningful, competitive integrated employment in the community.

· LEADERSHIP/ADVOCACY – Focuses on preparing future leaders who can advocate for themselves and for others.

· SERVICE/VOLUNTEERISM – Focuses on providing opportunities for national service volunteerism to address critical community needs and for professional development training.

· POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION – Focuses on supporting students with disabilities through inclusive education opportunities; and additional transition areas provided as needed and identified.

To learn more about IDS and/or the transition to adulthood program, visit www.usm.edu/ids, call 601.266.5163 or email ids@usm.edu.