Transition Planning

Transition 

Transition planning begins as soon as students enter our school. Transition teachers and school-based staff collaborate with families to develop and implement an individualized transition plan for each student. This early collaboration with families ensures that the student's current needs are met as well as plan for a proper post-secondary placement. Regular communication with family helps ensure all goals are met and students are on track to meet post-secondary goals.

After High School Planning

Transition out of High School

For students with IEPs, “Transition” means planning for adulthood. Planning should begin when students turn 21. It should continue every year until a student either:

• Graduates, or
• Turns 21 years of age.

Transitioning focuses on improving students’:

• Academic achievement
• Vocational achievement
• Self - Advocacy Skills

Transition planning involves preparing students for further community integration, vocational training, and employment, so that the students are as independent as possible by the time they graduate from our program.

It is a student-centered process. That means that it addresses the unique strengths, needs, and preferences of each student.

Graduation or Reaching Age 21

Students with IEPs may attend school until they graduate or until the end of the school year in which they turn 21. During your child's final year of high school, you should receive an exit summary. The exit summary will include information about your child’s:

• Abilities
• Skills
• Needs
• Transition Linkages
• Limitations

Recommendations are made on how to assist your child in meeting their post-secondary goals. These recommendations may be in the areas of:

• Establishing eligibility for reasonable accommodations and supports in post-secondary settings, the workplace, and the community.
• Accessing appropriate adult services.
• Understanding the impact of your child's disability; and/or
• Communicating your child's strengths and needs, including supports that would be helpful in post-school life.

Agencies, Services and Resources

With parental consent (or the consent of a student who is 18 years of age or older), the school may invite a representative of an agency that can help provide or pay for transition services. If an invited agency’s representative is unable to attend, the team must take other steps to involve the agency. Below is a list of some agencies, services or resources that may be involved in a student’s transition.

• The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD): Responsible for coordinating services for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. These include:
  • intellectual disabilities
  • cerebral palsy
  • autism spectrum disorders,
  • other neurological impairments.

Find more information on OPWDD here, The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities

There are no age limits for requesting OPWDD eligibility. However, it's important to do so when students turn 18 so that they can receive adult services.

• The Office of Mental Health (OMH): Promotes the mental health and well-being of all New Yorkers. They also support children and families in their social and emotional development. 

Find more information on OMH here, The Office of Mental Health

• New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB): This service works to:
  • enhance employability
  • maximize independence
  • assist in the development of people who are legally blind.

Find more information on NYSCB here, New York State Commission for the Blind

• INCLUDE NYC: Its Parent Center works with families and children with all disabilities, across all boroughs. They help families understand, navigate, and access the services and resources students need to develop to their full potential.

Find more information on INCLUDE NYC here, INCLUDE NYC

Read more about the NYCDOE D75 transition planning steps and guidelines. After High School Planning

During the final year of school,  students along with their families attend virtual program tours with the goal of finding the right fit for each student. All programs are life-long opportunities.