Education Special Education Transition Programs

Transition Programs
What?
When students are 14 years old, the IEP team will develop goals for transition. Many schools have students complete a Transition Inventory. Students are eligible to receive transition services until the summer after they turn 21. Transition programs allow students with disabilities to attend secondary career and technical education programs by modifying curriculums and providing supplemental services that would not typically be available in traditional programs.
The PACER Center, MN Department of Education, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, along with other agencies have created Project C3, which stands for Connecting Youth to Communities and Careers. The goal of this project is to improve the outcomes of postsecondary education and employment for individuals with disabilities including FASD. The Project C3 website, located on PACERs website, contains many resources for youth transitioning into adult life and outlines the different Project C3 activities. Visit the Project C3 website.

Who?
In order to qualify for this program, a student must meet the state definition of a child with a disability. Each school district may have different requirements and you will need to contact your district for details on eligibility. Students who want to continue receiving transition services will be allowed to participate in the graduation, but will not receive a diploma until their transition services end.

How?
Each school district has a different title for these programs. For example, in Minneapolis it is called Transition Plus and in Hutchinson it is called the Transition Assistance Program. The best way to find out about transition programs available in your area is to contact your school district special education department to ask which programs are available.

Where?
Look at the Reintegration Framework Self-Assessment Tool developed by the MN Department of Education and the University of MN. Visit the ARC website. Visit the Hutchinson Public Schools website. Visit the Minneapolis Public Schools website.