Secondary Education and Services

Secondary Education and Services

The transition-to-adulthood process begins in Indiana at age 14. At that point or in their 8th grade year, students with a disability who have an individualized education program (IEP) and their support teams begin focusing on the student's post-school education, employment, and independent living goals.

Those goals form the core of the student's Transition IEP, which is really a blueprint for what the student will learn, the type of job a student might want, and where the student will live after high school. Building on that Transition IEP each year can involve a variety of activities, services, and experiences depending upon the student's individual interests and needs.

What We Do

The Center on Community Living and Careers helps improve the transition process for Indiana students by providing training, resources, information, and supports to:

  • those involved in education: middle and high school educators, administrators, transition coordinators, academic advisors, students, and their families
  • those involved in employment: community employment providers, employment specialists and consultants, Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation staff, students and young adult job seekers, and their families

For more information about secondary transition services, contact the Indiana Secondary Resource Center team at the Center on Community Living and Careers. Email us at INSTRC@indiana.edu or call (812) 855-6508.

Secondary Transition Focus: Education

The Center on Community Living and Careers is home to the Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center (INSTRC), a member of the Indiana Resource Network, sponsored by the Indiana Department of Education.

INSTRC:

  • Creates and provides professional development activities, including webinars, podcasts, workshops, and comprehensive training and technical assistance for educational professionals.
Members of the northwest Indiana Cadre of Transition Leaders.
Members of Indiana's Northwest Cadre of Transition Leaders
  • Develops and coordinates the statewide Cadre of Transition 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.
  • Supports 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.

The Transition from School to Work: Employment

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

  • Facilitating collaboration between VR counselors, employment providers, and schools.
  • Conducting webinars and creating outreach materials to help students and families in transition understand how to access Indiana VR and other services and benefits. 
  • Developing fact sheets and materials for VR counselors so that students, families, and schools can better understand roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Resources