Providing Transition Support for Students

CAC Presentation, 5/15/13Melissa Gooden, Transition SpecialistLela Rondeau, Transition Specialist

How can we keep our children100% safe?

•Lock them inside the house – no playing outside•Make all decisions for them•Pad all furniture and edges – or live in a bouncy castle•Do not allow them to move

What is Transition?•Transition prepares students with disabilities to move

from school to work and community life.

Why is preparing for transition so important?

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey, American FactFinder, Table B23023; <http://factfinder.census.gov>; (accessed 28 September 2010).

More Research• Students with disabilities who have had work

experiences and vocational education in high school have increased chances of competitive post secondary employment and were less likely to drop out of school.

• Employers were willing to hire students with disabilities without a diploma as long as they had the necessary communication skills and work ethic.

Source: “Federal Actions Can Assist States in Improving Post-secondary Outcomes for Youth,” General Accounting Office, July 2003.

Who Provides Transition Support?•Team approach

▫Teachers▫Parents▫Counselors▫Transition Teachers▫Community Agencies

Transition and the Law The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

requires schools to prepare students for the transition to adult life.

Per IDEA, by age 16, a student’s IEP must include:▫Measurable post-secondary goals▫Transition services to assist students in meeting these

goals▫ Information regarding student’s rights when he/she

reaches 18 years of age

Transition and the Law

•Transition Services are also mandated according to the Modified Consent Decree.

•Outcome 9: “98% of all students 14 and over shall have an Individual Transition Plan developed in accordance with federal law.”

Time out!

Next, we’ll look at:- how parents can prepare their children for transition to

life after high school - transition services offered inside LAUSD- what popular post school options are for our students

- Any questions thus far?

What can I do now to prepare my child for transition?

• It’s not too early! It’s never too early!!•Provide choices•Promote independence•Fade supports•Scaffold challenging tasks

Example of a scaffolded task

•Child starts by putting pillow in place on the made bed•Child brings comforter up and places pillow•Child tucks in sheet, brings comforter up and places

pillow

Demonstrate each step, then prompt child verbally, then use fewer verbal prompts, then use no verbal prompts, then try to be out of the room while the child does the task.

Elementary▫ Assist with chores at home

dishes folding laundry making the bed

▫ Prepare for the transition to middle school take a tour meet teachers find a peer buddy

▫ Integration with non disabled peers for part of the day▫ Introduce the concept of saving money▫ Direct instruction in social skills

eye contact shaking hands

Middle School

▫School community awareness▫ Increased at-home responsibilities▫Basic personal care▫ Independence on school campus▫Talk to adults about work- what do adults around them

do?▫Preparation for transition to high school

Take a tour Learn how credits work (if you fail, you must retake)

High School 14-18

•Classes at Occupational or Skill Centers•Work Based Learning (16+)•Volunteering• Increase self advocacy skills•Encourage your child to get involved in a club or

activity at school•Visit possible post-school options (community

colleges, vendored programs, etc)•Child takes the lead on public transit

Turning 18•Rights transfer to the student•Pros and cons of conservatorship•Other options

High School 18-22•Focus shifts to post school outcomes of increasing to

highest level of independence•Child takes the lead on public transit• Increasing involvement with Regional Center•Final chance to increase independence with school

support

Time Out

•Next we’ll look at options for diploma-bound students while in LAUSD

•Then we’ll look at options for students who are on the alternate curriculum

•Questions on what’s been covered?

Transition Services for Diploma-Bound Students in LAUSD

•Work Based Learning Program (16+)•Student interest assessment•Lessons in Special Day Classes and to Resource

students (pulled out from class) on self advocacy, getting and keeping a job, etc

•Senior Advisories

Transition Services for Students on the Alternate Curriculum while in LAUSD

Community Based Instruction•Learn vocational and independent living skills•Ages 14-16 remain on the school campus•Ages 17 and older practice in the community

School Based Enterprise•Student-run simulated business conducted within a

school•Provides work experience and opportunities to learn

functional academic, social and leadership skills•Startup funding is provided by DOTS

Career and Transition Centers (CTCs)

•Miller CTC, Reseda•Perez CTC, East LA•Widney CTC, Central LA•Doyle CTC, Gardena

Opening in 2013-14Leichman CTC, Reseda

What is a CTC?

• Provides employment-based training for students with disabilities 18-22

• Students are taught entry level employment skills, including:

-staying on task-working with minimal supervision-collaborating and sharing materials with co-workers

What is taught at the CTCs?•P.A.E.S. Lab• Independent Living Skills•Other Vocational Strands

P.A.E.S. Lab•Practical Assessment Exploration System

•Students are timed and assessed in vocational tasks

•Comprehensive report given regarding employability

Independent Living Skills

• Life skills in real world environments

Vocational Strands

Horticulture

• Gardening and landscaping

Business/Office

•Office skills such as answering phones, organizing mailings, and shredding

Culinary Arts

• Kitchen skills – cooking, catering, and cleaning

Auto Detailing

•Detail cars and learn customer service skills

Career and Transition Services (CATS) Program

CATS is run by DOTS at the following community college campuses:

• East Los Angeles College• Mission College• Los Angeles Trade Tech College• Harbor College• Pierce College• West Los Angeles College

CATS Program• Students 18-22 are dually enrolled in LAUSD and the college

•Take college classes and work

•Must travel independently to and from the campus

•Two year commitment

Time Out

Next we’ll discuss:• Possible post-school options for students with

disabilities• Agency linkages

•Questions thus far?

What happens when my child leaves high school?

•Community College•Occupational/Skill Centers•Training Program•Competitive Employment•Regional Center Vendored Programs

Four year or Community college•College advisor and the DOTS teacher help fill out

applications and financial aid forms•Field trips may be offered to local colleges by the

DOTS teacher and/or the college advisor•DOTS teacher discusses the benefits of using Disabled

Student Services during college

Occupational Centers/ Skill Centers•Offer training in various trades, such as carpentry,

cosmetology or culinary arts•Transition teachers provide assistance in finding local

centers and determining the requirements•Often free for students with disabilities

Training Programs•Job Corps•AmeriCorps•California Conservation Corps•Military •Apprenticeships

Competitive Employment•Some students who participate in work based learning

programs become competitively employed•Other students are connected to prospective

employers through various agencies

Final preparation for leaving•Regional Center invited to final IEP•Certificate of Completion or Diploma (CAHSEE

exemption)•Make sure you get copies of both the Summary of

Performance and Final IEP

Agency linkages

•Department of Rehabilitation•Regional Center

Department of Rehabilitation

PURPOSE:• Helps people with disabilities fulfill their employment goals

and achieve independence.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?: • High school leavers 18 and older who want to work but may

have trouble getting or keeping a job because of their disability

• Some 16 year old students are selected by the DOTS teacher to participate in the Transition Partnership Program (TPP)

Department of Rehabilitation

SERVICES PROVIDED:• Assessments/Evaluations• Supported employment• Employment training• Clothing to wear on an interview and on the job• Transportation vouchers• Work related equipment• Tuition and books (if deemed appropriate)

Regional Center

PURPOSE• Provides case management services to people with

developmental disabilities that occurred before their 18th birthday

• Services are provided from birth to death

WHO SHOULD APPLY?:• Anyone with a developmental disability that was identified prior

to age 18• Includes intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism,

and other disabling conditions requiring treatment similar to that for intellectual disabilities.

Regional CenterSERVICES / SUPPORT PROVIDED:

• Diagnosis/Evaluation• Early intervention • Parent Training• Respite Care• Referrals to adult day activities, supported employment, group homes and other community resources

In Conclusion: Don’t be like these parents!

“I’d be an irresponsible parent to let them out.”

“I don’t want him experiencing anything until I’ve totally

checked it out.”

Information / Resources

District Office of Transition Services333 S. Beaudry Ave., 17th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90017(213) 241-8050

Website: dots.lausd.net