Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities

1. Transition Planning for Students with Disabilities

2. Transition Planning Transition planning is an ongoing process that is reviewed annually at the IEP meeting. Specific transition activities begin as a student enters the 9th grade or turns 14. Transition planning follows two separate pathways—one for diploma bound students & a different plan for certificate students.

3. Diploma Bound Students In the 9th grade or age 15… • Review graduation requirements • Complete interest inventories • Complete High School Future Planning Inventory • Encourage student to volunteer & join an after school activity to explore interests

4. Certificate Bound Students In the 9th grade or age 15… • Complete application to Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) or confirm they have an application on file for the student • Complete interest inventories • Encourage student to participate in after school activities & clubs • Attend Transition Planning Events sponsored by the school system & other providers

5. Diploma Bound Students In the 10th grade or age 16… • Review graduation requirements & HSA status • Attend Transition Planning Events sponsored by the school system • Update interest inventory • Consider applying for Student Employment Program (SEP) sponsored by adult service providers

6. Certificate Bound Students In the 10th grade or age 16… • Update interest inventory • Review status of pre-work skills • Review participation in Work Enclave Program • Attend Transition Planning Events sponsored by the school system & providers • Apply to Summer Employment Program (SEP) sponsored by adult service providers

7. The Work Enclave Program The Work Enclave Program is a supported work program for certificate bound students. Students work in small groups in a variety of community businesses under the direct supervision of Howard County Public School System staff. Students are transported to a hub near their school where they board school buses. They work with staff and students from other high schools in community settings to develop work skills.

8. Work Enclave Referral Process IEP Team Decision The following factors are considered during the decision making process… • Age 16+ or minimum 2 years in high school setting • Adaptive Behavior Checklist • classroom settings • Availability in Schedule • Attendance History *This program does not allow students to receive credits towards graduation with a diploma.

9. A Typical Work Enclave Day • 7:25-11:45 Classes in school • 11:45-12:00 School Bus Transportation Transportation to hub and continue on to worksite w/ 2 adults per group • 12:15-1:25 Placements • Variety of placements (sample) • Alcon, Dicks Sporting Goods, Petco, Weis Markets, River Hill Garden Center, Columbia Ice Rink, Marshalls, Churches, etc. • 1:30-2:05 School Bus Transportation to hub and continue back to home school

10. Diploma Bound Students In the 11th grade or age 17… • Review graduation requirement status & HSAs • Update interest inventory • Consider placement in Work Study Program • Apply to Division of Rehabilitation Services(DORS) as appropriate • Attend Transition Planning Events • Consider applying for Project Access at HCC • Check for Student Support Services in colleges, community colleges or other post secondary training programs

11. Project Access Project Access is a program located at Howard Community College (HCC). Project Access is designed to improve transition and retention for students with disabilities in post secondary settings. Contact Dr. Linda Schnapp 410-772-4625 lschnapp@howardcc.edu

12. Certificate Bound Students In the 11th grade or age 17… • Encourage student to remain in school until 21 to be able to access DDA funding • Discuss Work Enclave, Work Study status • Families may want to consult with an attorney about developing a trust, etc. • Families should check with insurance provider to be sure student is covered by their insurer after age 18 • Attend Transition Planning Events • Apply for Summer Employment Program (SEP)

13. The Work Study Program The Work Study Program is available to both diploma and certificate bound students receiving Special Education services. Students must be at least 16 years old. Work Study is a supported program where students work in independent placements in the community with drop in support services from HCPSS staff. Students can work in both training and paid jobs. Students are provided bus transportation to most of Howard County. With family permission, they can also drive, ride the Howard Transit System, or walk to work.

14. Work Study Referral Process IEP Team Decision The following factors are considered during the decision making process… • Age 16+ • Evaluations from prior work programs • Adaptive Behavior Checklist • classroom and vocational settings • Availability in Schedule • Attendance History • Credits still needed for graduation

15. A Typical Work Study Day • 7:25-10:45 Classes in school • 10:45-11:15 Transportation (school bus or HTS if appropriate) • Board bus at school then switch to routed bus that drops you off at worksite • 11:15-1:25 Placements • Variety of placements—training or paid (paid may continue after school hours) • 1:30-2:05 Transportation to Hub and continue back to home school

16. Diploma Bound Students In the 12th grade or age 18… • Review status of graduation requirements • Update interest inventory • Prepare Exit Document • Review DORS assessments & recommendations • Consider applying for Project Access at HCC • Identify & contact Student Support Services at the college or training program of choice for help in post secondary placements

17. Certificate Bound Students In the 12th grade or age 18… • Apply for Social Security Benefits (SSI) • Call Disability Services410-313-6402 for community benefits and supports • Review Work Enclave, Work Study status • Discuss Community Connections Program, as appropriate • Apply to Summer Employment Program (SEP) • Attend Transition Planning Events

18. The Community Connections Program The Community Connections Program is a satellite program of HCPSS located on the campus of Howard Community College. This Program is for certificate bound students who are at least 19 years of age. The Program further develops work skills, community access training, and independent living skills.

19. Community Connections Program Referral Process IEP Team Decision An IEP Meeting will be held prior to January of the year the student is being considered for admission to Community Connections. A follow-up meeting is held prior to the end of the school year to ensure this change in placement remains appropriate. The following factors are considered during the decision making process… • Age 19+ by August of entrance year • Certificate student, not seeking diploma • Minimum of 4 years attendance in a high school setting • Completed 2 successful semesters of the Work Study Program • Demonstrates the ability to function independently with minimal supervision • IEP Goals and Transition Plans reflect appropriate activities • Evaluations from prior work programs • Disciplinary/Behavior History • Attendance History *This program does not allow students to receive credits towards graduation with a diploma.

20. A Typical Community Connections Day • 7-11:00 Mon, Wed, Fri: Vocational Classes and lunch • 7-11:30 Tue, Thurs: Community Access & lunch • After lunch: Work Placements • Students will be transported either via school bus or public transportation to worksites *Remember each student’s day may differ based on vocational needs and interest in HCC classes that can be audited. The student schedule is also tailored to a variety of paid work schedules.

21. Certificate Bound Students In the 5th year or age 19… • Review status of SSI application • Investigate adult services, adult service providers • Discuss Athelas Program, as appropriate • Update Future Planning Inventory • Attend Transition Planning Events • Apply for Summer Employment Program (SEP)

22. Athelas & HCPSS Program Athelas & HCPSS have an agreement which allows certificate bound students to participate in the Athelas InstitutePrograms while still in high school. HCPPS students can work at Athelas for 1-5 days per week, as appropriate. Transportation is provided by HCPSS. These students do not attend their high schools on Athelas days, they are at Athelas all day. This program was designed to help the transition for the 19-21 population into adult services. The students do not have to choose Athelas as their provider when they exit the school system at 21.

23. Certificate Bound Students In the 6th year or age 20… • Interview & tour adult service providers • Apply to Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), as appropriate • Review Work Enclave, Work Study, Community Connections, Athelas Program for last year before exit • Update interest inventory • Contact DDA, meet with service coordinator • Attend Transition Planning Events • Apply for Summer Employment Program (SEP)

24. Certificate Bound Students In the 7th year or age 21… • Choose adult service provider by December 1 • Prepare for graduation, cap & gown, etc. • Meet with service coordinator from DDA • Update Exit Document • Begin systematic transition to adult service provider

25. Countywide Transition Information Evenings • Annual Transition Fair • October 17th 2007 @ Homewood School • A fair to introduce different companies, agencies, and organizations that will be able to work with individuals with disabilities upon graduation/exit from HCPSS during the transition to adulthood • Transition Workshops • November 14th @ Atholton HS, 6 PM • DDA (Developmental Disabilities Administration) and Service Coordination • March 5th @ Faulkner Ridge Center, 6 PM • DORS (Division of Rehabilitation Services) and Adult Service Agencies • April 9th @ Faulkner Ridge Center, 6 PM • SSI (Supplemental Security Income ) • April 23rd @ Faulkner Ridge Center, 6 PM • Middle to High School Transition Discussion

26. Any Questions? Work Study Program Head Dawson Robertson 410-313-5640 Atholton HS Mary Brzezinski 410-313-7328 Centennial HS Denise Marshall 410-772-4479 Glenelg High School Cynthia Gibson 410-489-2957 Hammond HS Eric Reisman 410-313-7615 Homewood Jonathan Schacter 410-313-5666 Howard HS Christi Anduze 410-313-2867 Long Reach HS Cindy Selber 410-313-7117 Marriotts Ridge HS Becky Ramsburg 410-480-9542 Mt. Hebron HS Becky Ramsburg 410-480-9542 Oakland Mills HS Heather Tordella 410-313-7431 Reservoir HS John Wyseman 410-888-8850 River Hill HS Stephanie Wallace 410-531-6787 Wilde Lake HS Suzanne Mesol 410-992-5134 Community Connections Deborah Ward/Mike Jones 410-772-4479

27. For more information contact Mary Brzezinski 410-313-7328 or visit the Website http://www.teacherweb.com/MD/AtholtonHighSchool/Brzezinski