Secondary Transition Services

Secondary Transition Education & Services: High School and Beyond

The term “transition planning” refers to the process by which a student moves from middle school to high school and from high school to adult life. For students with disabilities, the transition from high school to post-school options is a complex process that requires planning and coordination to ensure appropriate supports and positive outcomes.

The purpose of transition planning is to help students and families think about their future, jointly plan high school experiences and course work, and help students and families make service connections. A multi-year process, effective transition planning leads students to better post-school outcomes, such as employment or college, as well as participation in their communities.

Secondary Transition Focus: Education

The Center on Community Living and Careers houses the new Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center for the Indiana Department of Education. The center will:

• Create and provide professional development activities, including webinars, podcasts, workshops and intensive training and technical assistance for educational professionals.
• Develop and coordinate the Cadre of Transition Teacher Leaders to more effectively support students with disabilities and their families by focusing on student-focused planning, student development, family involvement, interagency collaboration, and program structures.
• Work collaboratively with the other Indiana Resource Centers for Improvement Activities through the Indiana Department of Education (Positive Behavior Supports, Assessment and Instruction, Effective IEPs, Evaluation, and Autism) to develop a coordinated system for professional development activities.
• Support the Indiana Department of Education’s Office of Special Education as it works to improve graduation rates, drop-out rates, compliant Transition IEPs, family involvement, and post-school outcomes.

Transition from School to Work: Vocational Rehabilitation Services

CCLC also provides a number of transition activities funded through Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services, including a variety of trainings to give educators and adult service providers the tools necessary to develop and implement quality transition services. Some activities include:

• Providing support for collaboration between VR counselors, employment providers, and schools.
• Developing a Summary of Performance for students that can be used by Vocational Rehabilitation Services and higher education institutions.
• Conducting webinars on how to access Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
• Developing Frequently Asked Questions for VRS counselors so that students, families and schools can better understand roles, responsibilities and expectations.

For more information about secondary transition services, contact Teresa Grossi at the Center on Community Living and Careers, (812) 855-6508, or tgrossi@indiana.edu

Resources

Is College for You?: Setting Goals and Taking Action

A Roadmap to Choosing an Employment Agency

Project SEARCH Indiana

Secondary Transition Fact Sheet (pdf)

Training for Educators and Adult Service Providers

Training for Individuals and Families
 
More Secondary Transition Resources & Links