Post Secondary Transition Program

West Hartford Public Schools

West Hartford Public Schools Transition Program serves students ages 18-22 requiring transition only services. Located on the American School for the Deaf Campus in the Cogswell Building and West Hartford Town Hall, our students gain valuable knowledge and skills in the areas of employment, life skills, adaptive skills, communication and social skills and more!

Who is eligible for transition only services?

Candidates must have a developmental disability and have a current IEP
Completion of a high school program, including all required credits
Recommendation from student’s home district through the PPT process for transition only goals and objectives
18-22 years of age

About WHPS Transition Program

Program Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 8:30-3:00

Wednesday 8:30-1:00

The WHPS Post Secondary Transition Program is a community based program designed to provide both classroom and real world experiences for students in need of functional academics, vocational experiences and independent living skills development. The program focuses on activities of daily living, supported vocational skill development and experiences, and self determination skills. Student programming is individualized to meet the unique needs of each learner through their individualized education plan (IEP).

Life Skills

Personal and independent living skills are the essential abilities and behaviors required to navigate every day life, to provide self care, and to maintain a healthy body and mind. Independent living skills and spending social and leisure time in the community include:

Banking
Budgeting
Dining out at local restaurants
Laundry
Cooking Lessons
Meal Preparation and Planning
Personal hygiene and Self Care
Wellness
Time management
Shopping
Focus on physical health/fitness
Visiting community locations: Museums, Libraries, etc.
Travel training via Public Transportation

Vocational Training

WHPS Post Secondary Transition Program is fortunate to have valued community partners that provide wide range of vocational experiences for students in the local community and in-house at the program site. Special education teachers, the transition coordinator and job coaches individualize student experiences to meet their individual IEP and to support their pursuit of their transition goals.

Examples of community job sites include:

Restaurants
Banks
Stores
Professional Offices
Schools
Local Farms
Medical Offices
Gyms and Fitness Studios

WHPS has a partnership with Auer Farm in Bloomfield with it's own high tunnel. Students learn how to plant, grow and harvest fruit and vegetables.

Students can participate in our culinary program, run by a professional chef in a real culinary kitchen located onsite. Students make baked goods that are sold weekly as part of the Town Hall Perks, Coffee Cart, in partnership with our community coffee sponsor, Nero Cafe. Students create made-to-order requests that come from in the district and greater community.

Social Skills

WHPS Post Secondary Transition Program provides structured opportunities to foster interpersonal communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, all of which are essential for success in both the workplace and community settings. Students participate in activities that include real-world social interactions to build confidence and enhance their ability to navigate complex social environments. By focusing on skills like active listening, conflict resolution, and appropriate self-advocacy, these programs aim to empower students to form meaningful relationships and thrive in independent living and employment settings.

Examples of social skill development areas:

Conflict resolution
Peer relationships
Dating
Job relationships
Accepting constructive criticism
Interpersonal skills
Decision making
Problem-solving
Navigating unexpected situations in the work force and in everyday living
Accessing Community/Social Resources
Using Technology to access social functions and opportunities

The Next Chapter Bookstore - West Hartford Public Schools

whps.org

Located in the heart of West Hartford, Connecticut, the Next Chapter Bookstore is much more than a place to find your next great read—it’s a one of a kind vocational site that supports students in the West Hartford Public Schools' post-secondary transition program.

The Next Chapter Bookstore serves as an essential vocational and learning environment for students of different abilities aged 18 to 22 in the transition program, giving them the opportunity to develop important job skills in a real-world setting. From organizing bookshelves to assisting customers, our students are gaining valuable hands-on experience in retail, customer service, and inventory management to support their future employment endeavors.

The Next Chapter Bookstore is powered by the generosity of our local community. Donations of used books enrich the store’s offerings which features a wide selection of books across all genres which include everything from trending best sellers to rare book finds. Each book donated plays a vital role in enhancing the student’s vocational learning experience, creating jobs behind the scenes. Students play a key role in sorting through book donations, categorizing them by genre, and carefully stocking the shelves to ensure the store always has a fresh and diverse selection for customers.

Beyond books, students create a range of unique, student-made items, such as hand-crafted greeting cards, bookmarks, candles, soaps and more. These items add a personal touch to the store and allow students to explore their creativity while developing important skills in product development. In October 2024, the bookstore celebrated its third anniversary with the release of a special book, Turning Pages Together, written and illustrated by the students.

The Next Chapter Bookstore is a place where students grow and where the community comes together. Thank you for being a part of the Next Chapter Bookstore’s journey. Together, we’re turning pages and opening doors to a brighter future for all.

Student Made Goods

Books

Coasters

Gifts and MORE....

About Our Team

Under the direction of the Executive Director of Pupil Services and Assistant Director of Pupil Services, the program is supervised by a Pupil Services Department Supervisor. Special education teachers, related service providers, a transition coordinator, as well as paraeducators, student aides and job coaches support the program. A full time nurse supports the program.