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Transition Services
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Our goal is to prepare
students for graduation to the adult world of work. |
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We provide Level I, II and III
vocational assessments, which include:
(I) working with students, parents, and teachers in
the classroom and the community to survey interests and
needs;
(II)administering standardized testing as a means of
evaluation of skills, aptitudes, and interests; and;
(III)providing exposure to community jobs, assisting
with development of vocational skills, and facilitating
integration and appropriate interaction with
non-disabled individuals at work sites. Tasks are
identified that suit the student's skill level, and
direct coaching can be provided. Training and
consultation services are also available. |
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This collaboration aims to
develop recommendations for the student's education
while in school and their transition into adult life. |
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Opportunities like this also
allow each student to grow in confidence and
self-esteem, expanding his or her view of the world. |
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Benefits |
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- Smooth transition to adult services
- Real life experience for students
- Availability of job coach to provide technical
assistance
- Diversity of experience for students
- Knowledge of the business world
- Experience with state and federal regulations
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Sample Jobs That Our Students
Explore Include: |
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- Merchandise Processor
- Pricing Clerk
- File Clerk
- Library Aide
- Hostess
- Cleaner
- Customer Service
- Food Service Worker
- Laundry Worker
- Order Packer
- Materials Handler
- Furniture Assembler
- Stock Clerk
- Grounds Keeper
- Room/Banquet Set Up
- Child Care Aide
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Timeline for Transition
From School to Adult Services
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Student Age
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| Start by Age 12 |
- Level I assessment - interests, skills, goals
- Is student receiving childhood SSI? Do parents want to apply?
- Does the student need service coordination?
Will the student and his or her family benefit from in-home staffing
or respite? If the student has a cognitive disability, a
psychological evaluation and an adaptive behavior assessment will be
needed to determine eligibility for these services which are
available through the Capital District DDSO (See below.)
- Are you familiar with the Developmental
Disabilities Service Office (DDSO) in your
county? Community agency connections?
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| By age 14 |
- Begin Transition planning as part of IEP process
(focused on student's course of study including
social, self-help & self-advocacy skills)
- Learn about exit options to ensure that student
will be able to reach his/her goals (college or
technical school, work or military service.)
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| By age 15 |
- Student should be invited to IEP meetings
- Level II assessment, if indicated
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| No later than 16 |
- Identify job interests and abilities
- Include activities such as career exploration,
job sampling and some job training, Level III
assessment, if indicated
- Transition planning focused on interagency
responsibility and any needed linkages;
information release from students/parents to
involve community agencies
- Begin to identify community services that
provide job training and placement
- Prepare job placement file with references and
skills that have been acquired
- Consider summer employment or volunteer
experiences. Are work-related documents
(Social Security card, birth certificate,
non-drivers ID, working papers) available if
needed?
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| Ages 16-18 |
- Contact adult service providers:
-Colleges, vocational or technical schools
-Social Security Administration (SSI, SSDI,
Medicaid)
-Residential or independent living services
-Recreation/leisure groups/day habilitation
-Medical services
-Counseling
-Supported employment programs
- Apply to VESID for vocational services during
the student's next to last year of school for job
development, supported employment, training or
college programs.
- Travel-training:
-Mobility strategies
-Public transportation
-Driver's training & license
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| Ages 17-18 |
- Is guardianship or emancipation appropriate?
- Continue to review and update Transition Plan
- Take ACT or SAT tests, if needed
- Is student visiting colleges and their
disability services offices? Register with
disability service office of your preferred school
by the end of senior year.
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| Age 18 |
- Male students register with draft board
- Register to vote
- Parents review health insurance - apply for
rider of continued eligibility
- If appropriate, apply for SSI as an adult and/or
service coordination
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| Ages 18-21 |
- Continue to review and update Transition Plan
- Establish needed health benefits
- Visit day habilitation programs, if appropriate
- Develop long-term financial support plan
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*Regulations change; be attentive to updates!
Living Resources, February 2005
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