overview of transition services
TRANSCRIPT
Overview of Transition Services
Kathy Azzarella Transition SpecialistEast & South HS
Cathy Lehman Transition SpecialistNorth HS
Melissa Miller Transition SpecialistNorth, East, & South HS
MTP 2009
The Definition of Transition Services
"a coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability, designed within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the student with a disability to facilitate the student's movement from school to post-school activities, including, but not limited to, post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.
The coordinated set of activities must be based on the student's strengths, preferences, and interests; and shall include needed activities in the following areas:
instruction related services community experiences the development of employment and other
post-school adult living objectives when appropriate, acquisition of daily living
skills and provision of a functional vocational evaluation." (Transition Services- section 200.1 (fff)
Why the Need for Transition Services?
Mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
In 2011, the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities in the US was 33.4 percent.
In 2011, the employment rate of working-age people without disabilities in the US was 75.6 percent.
2011 Disability Status Report , Cornell University
Transition Meetings
Who? Student Special Education
Teacher Family Transition Specialist School Counselor Therapists Community Agencies
What? What are the student’s
goals? What do they need to
accomplish to get there?
What supports will they need?
How can they access supports in the future?
Effective Planningan individual focus
Help student develop independent decision making and communication skills
Help student explore options Set realistic goals for the future Support positive self-esteem Develop independence, including self-
reliance, self-advocacy, and self-management
Transition Services
Transition and/or Team Meetings
Assist with Transition Planning
Assist in developing job readiness skills
Support the CSE process and the Development of an Individualized Education Plan
Occupational Observations/ Job Shadowing
Community Internship program
Assist with College planning
Facilitate linkage to supports after high school
Community Internship Program Students placed at a community “job site” Students must be at least 16 2-5 days per week Internship site is developed based on
student interests and needs Goal: to facilitate the development of
basic job skills in commensurate with student IEP goals
Internship is non-credit bearing
Current Community Placements
Macy’s Burger King Amherst Town Hall Moe’s Pizza Works Platnium Fitness Carruba Collision Tops Park Creek Salvatore’s Paula’s Donuts
Brothers of Mercy Weinberg Campus Carrabba’s Transit Lanes Jo Ann Etc. The Williamsville Hampton
Inn Walgreen’s Amherst Adult Day Center Goodwill Retail Sores Office Depot
Top 10 Job Skills Employers Want
Integrity Team member Appearance Listening Social Skills
Responsibility Self-Esteem Writing Speaking Customer Service
80% of NYS employers surveyed indicated these general skills were critical to success.
Community SupportCommunity as Classroom
“Real-world” experiences
Community Connections
Improve post-school outcomes
AdultServices
ACCES-VRAdult Career and
ContinuingEducation Services
-VocationalRehabilitation
OPWDDOffice for People with
DevelopmentalDisabilities
OMHOffice of
Mental Health
CBVHCommission For the Blind and Visually
Impaired
CollegeDisability Services
Other
Each service has it’s own eligibility requirements
The transition team can assist families in accessing adult services.
ACCES-VRAdult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational
Rehabilitation
To assist people with disabilities to secure meaningful employment
Students may be referred as early as the spring of their “junior” year of high school.
Services may include…
Job Coaching / On The Job training Vocational Guidance and Counseling Vocational Assessments Job Placement Services College Tuition Assistance & College Textbook Credits ( based upon economic need) Tutoring Transportation Assistance
ACCES-VR Eligibility
Have a disability (IEP, 504, Medical)
Barrier to employment
Require Vocational Rehabilitation
Refer students to the Transition Team for assistance in applying for ACCES-VR
College Disability Service Office
Provides services to college students who:
Have a documented disability (IEP is not enough)
Require accommodations to have equal access to higher education
Colleges have no legal obligation to follow IEP
College Disability Service Office (DSO)Eligibility
Students must meet the admission requirements of the college
Students must self-identify their needs with documentation to the Disability Service Office
Modifications and services are arranged for each student on an as needed basis
Colleges Expect Students To:
Self identify to the Office of Disabilities
Seek assistance from the Office of Disabilities
Self advocate for the supports needed
Diligently seek assistance when needed
Colleges are not required to provide:
Personal services such as aides, hearing aides, glasses
Accommodations that would “fundamentally alter” the educational requirements or academic requirements which are essential to a program of study or to fulfill licensing requirements
Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
OPWDD
Eligibility Documentation of a developmental disability must be
provided demonstrating diagnosis prior to the age 22
Services Service coordination Family support Supported employment Residential support Healthcare (Medicaid) Day Programs Environmental Modifications
Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped
Eligibility legally blind: a visual acuity of 20/200 or less or field of vision is
20 degrees or less Visually impaired: Visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better
eye (with correction) or visual field if 140 degrees or less Children with multiple disabilities including a visual impairment
Services Rehabilitation services for all ages Vocational rehabilitation Summer camps for children Transition planning (ages 14-21)
Office of Mental Health
Eligibility The individual must have a mental illness diagnosis (not only
ED) A current impairment in functioning within the past 30 days. Extended impairment over the last 12 months Demonstrated deficits in self-care
Services (vary by location) Clinic and Day Treatment Family support services Case Management
Transition support for professionals
Consultation for the development of student Transition Plans
Information regarding training available in the community
In-building support
Assistance with transition elements of student IEP
Support for Students
Transition Specialists are available in all high schools to answer questions and provide information on a variety of topics including: Setting goals Skills needed to achieve goals Career Exploration Information about careers similar to the
student’s dream job which are a better fit with the student’s skill set.
Self-Awareness/ Self-Advocacy Connections to Adult Resources
Help Foster Independence
Encourage students to advocate for themselves
Encourage students to utilize technology
Encourage students to explore a variety of careers utilizing resources such as Career Zone (www.nycareerzone.org) and Bridges
Help Foster Self-Advocacy & Self-Awareness
Encourage students to understand their disability, strengths and interests
Assist students in identifying the supports which help them attain success
Encourage students to participate in their IEP process and advocate for their needs and interests
Develop Problem Solving Skills
Allow students to make choices and learn from them by experiencing the natural consequences of their actions
Help students foresee the consequences of their actions
Don’t soft-pedal the natural consequences or make it “easier” for them
Office of Transition ServicesKathy Azzarella, Transition [email protected] South626-8457 East
Cathy Lehman, Transition [email protected] North
Melissa Miller, Transition [email protected] East626-8233 South626-8368 North
Anna CieriAssistant Superintendant of ExceptionalEducation & Student Services626-8061, District Office
Rosa D’AbateCoordinator of Student Services626-8007, District Office