PA Transition Tidbits

Transition is more than just a requirement—it's a bridge to the future. This month, we're breaking down the fundamentals of secondary transition and why early, thoughtful planning matters for youth with disabilities. From postsecondary goals to real-world partnerships, we’ll highlight what quality transition planning looks like—and how you can support it.

As students approach the end of high school, questions about what comes next—college, work, independent living—become even more important. For youth with disabilities, secondary transition planning ensures they’re supported in moving toward adult life with purpose and confidence.

This guidance from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) emphasizes the importance of effective coordination between Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation during secondary transition planning—key for building strong interagency partnerships.

Click here to access the letter.

The Roadmap illustrates how the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) systems can work together to ensure the best outcomes for students. The purpose of this tool is to introduce OVR and ODP services and indicate when to invite them into the employment journey.

Access the roadmap here.

Dr. Jim Martin provides a 1 hour overview of transition planning organized in 8 major categories. This video was developed as an overview for participants of the 2020 NTACT:C Capacity-Building Institute (CBI). This video is a good introduction to transition planning overall and can be used to provide a basis of understanding primarily, with school, agency or other personnel new to secondary transition.

A family-friendly tool to help identify what to do and when in the transition journey.

Access the Planning for the Future Checklist here!

Getting ready for life after high school can be exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. If you’re a student with a disability, you might have even more questions about what comes next. That’s where transition planning comes in. Transition is all about preparing for your future—whether that means going to college, getting a job, living on your own, or something else that’s important to you.

This month, the newsletter focus is on What is Secondary Transition—a time to highlight tools, events, and supports that can help you plan for life after high school in a way that works for you.

What Is Transition Planning?

Transition planning is more than just filling out forms or going to meetings. It’s about figuring out:

• What you want to do after high school

• What skills and experiences will help you get there

• What support you might need along the way

In PA, transition planning legally starts at age 14. That gives you time to explore your options, make decisions, and take charge of your future.

When transition planning is done well, it can help you:

• Speak up for yourself

• Build leadership and decision-making skills

• Find work or go to college after graduation

• Avoid feeling stuck or disconnected after high school

Events in July to Help You Get Started

There are lots of great events happening this July to support you in planning your future:

📅 July 7 – Youth Leader Call
Join the Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN) online to connect with other young people, share ideas, and learn how to make your voice heard.
More info: www.pyln.org

📅 July 14 – Inclusive Recreation Webinar
Learn how accessible activities like sports, clubs, and recreation can help you grow and be included in your community.
More info: www.paddc.org

📅 July 15 – PA ABLE Savings Program
Find out how people with disabilities can save money without losing access to important benefits. This session also shares info about new rules that help more young people qualify.
More info: www.paable.gov

📅 July 28–31 – Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference
This big event in State College brings together students, families, teachers, and other professionals to learn more about planning for the future.
There will be:

• Sessions on IEP planning and career readiness

• Youth experiences like CS Camp: Code Arcade and Camp InsPirAtion (for you and your siblings!)
  More info: www.pattan.net

📅 July 31 – Technology and disABILITY Conference
In-person in Harrisburg or online! Learn how technology can support learning, independence, and success after high school.
More info: AccessibleTechPA.org

Take the Next Step

No matter where you are in your journey, there’s something you can do this summer to plan your next steps.
✅ Talk to your family or teachers about your goals
✅ Join one of the events listed above
✅ Visit www.secondarytransition.org to explore tools and local supports

You have the power to shape your future. When you, your family, your school, and your community work together, amazing things can happen.

Let July be just the beginning—your path to independence starts now.

Do you want to mentor youth? Do you want to support self-advocates as they grow? We want to hear from you! The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is looking to increase the amount of youth engaging in their Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC)s. As part of that process, they are looking for folks who would be willing to mentor youth as they step into the world of self-advocacy within their local CACs along with a statewide Youth Citizens Advisory Committee. If you are interested in learning more and participating, please check out this form.

Tool Highlight: CtLC Life Trajectory Worksheet
The Life Trajectory worksheet helps youth identify and express what they want for and in their lives, while also clarifying what they want to avoid. This tool is powerful when used during transition assessment and IEP development to shape goals, services, and activities that truly reflect the student’s vision.

✅ Try this: Use the trajectory worksheet during an IEP team meeting or family meeting. Ask the student to identify one goal and one fear. Use those to guide the team’s discussion on services, community experiences, or self-advocacy training.

This tool supports a person-centered, strengths-based approach that aligns beautifully with PA’s values under PA Employment First, and it’s adaptable across cultures and support needs.

🔗 Download the Life Trajectory Worksheet (fillable)

This is a great tool from Transition Coalition, which can assist IEP teams determine what information is already known about a student, what information needs to be known, and what types of assessments need to be administered to get this information.

Access the Transition Assessment Plan Form here!

Looking for a place where you can Connect, Collect, & Contribute

to all things secondary transition?

Connect with people from across our state to collect

resources, share events and contribute stories about positive post-school outcomes!

Click here to create an account and login to join our PA Secondary Transition- Public Square.

Are you looking to learn more information about transition?

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides information, tools, and supports to assist multiple stakeholders to provide effective services and instruction for students and out-of-school youth with disabilities.

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!

Join us for the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference, where educators, community partners, families, and youth come together to learn evidence based practices and tools that bridge the gap between knowledge and practice!

📅 Dates: July 28-31, 2025

📍 Location: State College, PA

🌟 Dive into sessions focused on:
🔹 Autism
🔹 Sensory Disabilities
🔹 Secondary Transition
🔹 Complex Instructional Needs

Learn About PA ABLE and ABLE Age Expansion

July 15, 2025

1:00 p.m.

The PA ABLE Savings Program gives individuals with qualified disabilities a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits.

Some of the topics we will discuss include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits, ABLE Age Expansion, and how PA ABLE interacts with important benefits.

Register

If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact us at info@paable.gov.

Learn About PA ABLE and ABLE Age Expansion Evening webinar

Aug. 14, 2025

6:00 p.m.

The PA ABLE Savings Program gives individuals with qualified disabilities a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits.

Some of the topics we will discuss include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits, ABLE Age Expansion, and how PA ABLE interacts with important benefits.

Register

If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact us at info@paable.gov.

Are you looking for transition events across PA?

Don't forget to check the events calendar to stay up to date on all of the great events happening in PA and nationally related to secondary transition!

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a group of various stakeholders from across Pennsylvania who work collaboratively to ensure appropriate transition outcomes for Pennsylvania youth and young adults.

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a state leadership team consisting of representative from: the State Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Human Services; Various Serving Agencies, Young Adults, Parent Organizations, Advocates, Higher Education, and Employers.

The shared vision and common goals of the Pennsylvania Community on Transition is achieved when all PA youth and young adults with disabilities:

• Successfully transition to the role of productive and participating adult citizens
• Are empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice
• Have equal access to resources that will promote their full participation in the communities of their choice.

Email: pasecondarytransition@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/
Phone: 4128266878
Twitter: @hmangiskuntz