Students with IEPs An Introduction To Transition Services From - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Road Ahead for Students with IEPs An Introduction To Transition Services From Middle School to High School and Beyond Diane Flood Margie Parrott Middle School Liaison Instructional Specialist Transition Services Unit Office Of Special Education

Planning for the Future • Who are the key players? • What are Transition Services • Graduation Requirements • Diplomas and Certificates of Completion • Post-Secondary Options • Adult Services and Supports • Resources 2

Key Players Case Manager Content Family Teachers Student Transition Adult Support Service Teacher Providers Career Coordinator (HS) 3

Transition Services Transition Services begin at age 14 and assist students with disabilities in making an effective transition from school to: 4

Transition Services • Postsecondary Education • Vocational Training • Integrated Employment • Continuing & Adult Education • Adult Services • Independent Living • Community Participation 5

Looking Ahead A Transition support teacher (TST) helps to facilitate the transition from school to the “real world.” We like to look at the “Big Picture.” Where do parents see their son or daughter in 5 years? In 10 years? In 20 years? 6

Figuring out the Right Pathway Social Skills Training Depending on Assessing Interests and the individual Abilities student’s Self Advocacy transition Instruction outcomes, here Independent Living Instruction are a few of the services that Vocational Instruction a student may and Job Coaching receive in high Linking the Student to Community and Adult school: Service Agencies 7

Promoting Independence  Requesting Accommodations  Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination  Setting Goals  Understanding the IEP and attending IEP meetings  Accessing your Community  Doing meaningful Student Service Learning Activities 8

What Does it Take to Graduate? 9

Diplomas and Certificates Students work towards either a: • Maryland High School Diploma or • Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion 10

MCPS Diploma Requirements Students earn a high school diploma based upon successful fulfillment of four requirements: Enrollment (4 years beyond 8 th grade) Course Credit (22 credits) High School Assessments and/or PARCC A minimum of 75 Student Service Learning Hours (SSL) 11

12

13

14

Career and Technology Education MCPS groups careers into 11 different Career and Technology Education (CTE) clusters and other career related opportunities to help direct you toward montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ focused programs of study with high career-readiness/ school plans. The plans will help you to choose courses that align with your future goals. Most include opportunities to earn college credit and industry certification. 15

16

17

Certificate Of Program Completion Requirements Student has been enrolled in an education program for at least 4 years beyond Grade 8 and developed appropriate skills to enter the world of work, act responsibly as a citizen, and enjoy a fulfilling life (as determined by the IEP team) OR Student has been enrolled in an educational program for 4 years beyond 8 th grade or its age equivalency, and has reached age 21 18

How is the Diploma or Certificate Decision Made? The IEP team considers: • Realistic Exit Outcomes • Maryland State Competency Tests and High School Assessments • Credit-Bearing Courses 19

When is the decision made to work towards a Certificate of Program Completion? The decision is made at the beginning of the student’s last year in high school, unless the student is participating in alternative assessments. 20

Programming for a student working towards a Certificate of Program Completion Program is based on: Alternative Learning Outcomes Educational Progress Assessment Information IEP Goals and Objectives Career Plans 21

Post-Graduation Options Work or Volunteer Opportunities Workforce Adult Development Education and Continuing Classes Education Classes Certificate of Program Students who Completion earn a certificate Community Technical or complete an Trade Schools College approved high school program of GED classes studies 22

Frequently Asked Questions about Certificates of Program Completion  Can students take credit-bearing courses? Yes  Are students required to complete SSL hours? IEP team decision  Can a student exit prior to age 21? Yes, but it is not recommended because funding for Adult Services typically doesn’t begin until age 21 23

Frequently Asked Questions about Certificates of Program Completion  Can students earn a HS diploma after exiting MCPS? Yes, if they enroll in a GED program pass the GED tests  Can students who receive a certificate prior to age 21 re-enroll? Yes  Will employers hire students who have earned a certificate rather than a diploma? Yes. Employers want reliable workers who have positive work skills. 24

25

Eligibility vs. Entitlement • Entitlement A student with an IEP has the right, by law, to receive special education services through public school through the age of 21 or upon exiting with a High School Diploma. • Eligibility A student must qualify for services by meeting specific eligibility requirements. 26

Disability Support Services (DSS) • Provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities • Provide students with counselors to determine appropriate accommodations and arrange support services • Stresses the development of self-advocacy and self-determination skills • Maintains and protects the confidentiality of student records as required by law 27

Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities • Graduate Transition Program • cms.montgomerycollege.edu/wdce/ce/gtp.html • Challenge Program • Montgomerycollege.edu • George Mason L.I.F.E. Program • masonlife.gmu.edu 28

29

Linkages to Adult Services • As your child gets older, the Transition Support Teacher will assist in linking your son or daughter to adult service agencies. These may include: • The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) • The Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) • Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) 30

Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) DORS provides short term vocational services that help individuals with disabilities prepare for the future 31

DORS services may include Vocational guidance & assessment  Job training  College or technical training  Job search, placement and job-keeping services  Supported employment  Rehabilitation technology  Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)  32

33

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Assists students with developmental disabilities in exiting from the school system and transitioning into adult services for ongoing supports See Transitioning Youth – Developmental Disabilities Brochure 34

DDA Services can include: Behavioral Support Services Community Support Living Arrangements (CSLA) Day Services Family Support Services Individual Support Services 35

DDA Services can include: Low Intensity Support Services Medical Day Care Respite Care Services Supported Employment Services Vocational Day Program/Sheltered Workshops 36

Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) • BHA is part of the Behavioral Health and Disabilities portion of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) • BHA is responsible for the delivery of public mental health services that are provided and funded through a fee-for- services system. 37

Examples of Services provided by BHA  Psychiatric Inpatient Care and Rehabilitation Services  Psychiatric Day Treatment and Rehabilitation Services  Residential Treatment  Respite services  Outpatient Mental Health Clinic services  Case Management services  Supported Employment and Vocational services 38

What can Parents do now to assist in Transition Planning? • Attend your child’s IEP meetings • Work together with teachers and staff to promote independence in your child • Help them advocate for their needs and accommodations • Organize important documents • Familiarize yourself with your community • Attend MCPS Next Steps Workshops 39

Resources • Presentation Slides • Transition Services Brochure • Frequently Asked Questions Booklet • DORS Pre-ETS Fact Sheet 40

Resources • Transitioning Youth Handout • Off-Site Program Brochure • Programs for Students with IEPs Handout • Contacts for Presenters 41

42