TRANSITION SERVICES
What is Transition?
Transition refers to planning and services that are needed to prepare youth with disabilities for moving smoothly from school to adult living, learning or earning roles in the community after leaving secondary education. This process includes instruction, community learning experiences or support services to develop skills, knowledge and abilities, and other strategies to address post-school living, learning or working needs. It may also include assistance in making applications prior to leaving school for services from community agencies, colleges or employment.
What is a “Transition Plan”?
Transition components are built into the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students in special education. All youth with disabilities, aged 14-21, must have transition components in their IEPs including:
- Assessment information regarding the student’s skills, knowledge and abilities as these relate to readiness to transition successfully to postsecondary education, community living and employment. Needs for development of skills, knowledge and abilities should be identified as transition service needs.
- Beginning at age 14 and updated annually, the IEP must include Long-Term Adult Outcome Statements expressed as the student’s preferences and interests for post school participation in education, community living and employment.
- Transition services to address the student’s need as well as the Coordinated Set of Activities statements about what is planned to be accomplished through various strategies should be included in the IEP.
When should transition begin and who should participate?
Transition planning should commence early enough to allow transition services to begin when the student reaches age 14. In Westchester County, this includes contacting the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health to determine if your student is eligible for Office of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities (OMRDD) funded services and to register with the County. Also, the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) has staff available to assist you and the student with transition planning, if they are determined to be eligible for OMRDD services. While the school district Committee on Special Education (CSE) has the legal responsibility to coordinate transition planning and provide transition services through the IEP, schools also must have the active participation of the student and parents.
Courtesy of: Matthew FaulknerAgency: Westchester County Department of Community Mental HealthEmail: mqf3@westchestergov.comPhone: 914-995-5253
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