PA Transition Tidbits

Transition services are mandated by laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States. These laws require that schools provide transition planning as part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, starting at age 16 or earlier. In Pennsylvania, under Chapter 14, the process is mandated to begin during the year in which a student turns 14. Compliance with these regulations ensures that individuals receive the necessary support to transition smoothly into adulthood.

The importance of transition for individuals with disabilities can be understood through several key points:

1. Promotes Independence and Self-Determination

Transition planning helps individuals with disabilities develop the skills needed to live as independently as possible. This process often includes teaching self-advocacy, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. By fostering these abilities, individuals gain greater control over their lives and are better equipped to pursue their personal goals.

2. Enhances Educational and Employment Outcomes

Effective transition services bridge the gap between school and post-school activities. This includes higher education, vocational training, employment, and other community involvement. Tailored transition plans can help individuals identify their strengths and interests, leading to more successful educational and employment outcomes.

3. Facilitates Social Integration and Community Participation

Transition planning encourages social inclusion by connecting individuals with community resources and support networks. This can include finding recreational activities, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to engage with their community. Social integration is crucial for emotional well-being and a sense of belonging.

4. Improves Quality of Life

Comprehensive transition plans address various life domains, including housing, health care, transportation, and social services. By planning for these areas, individuals with disabilities can achieve a higher quality of life. Ensuring access to appropriate services and supports helps them lead fulfilling and satisfying lives.

In summary, transition planning for individuals with disabilities is a critical process that supports their journey from adolescence to adulthood. It empowers them to achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals, enhances their quality of life, and promotes their integration and participation in society.

OpenAI. (2024). Importance of Transition for Individuals with Disabilities. Retrieved from OpenAI's ChatGPT: [URL]

PEAL Center’s 21 and Able Project, Powered by United Way helps young adults with disabilities transition smoothly from the last day of high school to the first day of adult life by increasing employment, housing opportunities and other support.

PEAL works with families:

• Providing drop-in sessions for support and information, training and individual support for transition,
• Connecting families, especially for young adults with the most significant disabilities and complex needs to the community supports and services they need,
• Educating policymakers about the needs of young adults in transition to adulthood.

Helping You Plan for the Future:

• The new PA Planning for the Future Checklist is intended as a resource for students (with support from their families, schools, and supporting agency professionals) to review and help provide information and suggestions to guide the transition process for students with disabilities, grades 7 – 12, (ages 14 up to 22nd birthday).

The month of July, we take a moment to talk about what Transition is, and how you might explain it to the transitioning young folks you encounter. Transition can be thought of as a bridge between school programs and the opportunities of adult life, including higher education or training, employment, independent living and community participation. There is a lot that goes into transitioning out of high school and on to whatever comes next, exploring post-secondary options, figuring out independent living, building relationships, learning self-advocacy and self-determination, and more. And it can be confusing for both youth and families to wrap their heads around. A great visual representation of the journey of transition is the Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Roadmap that shows the different paths a student can take on their journey, and the agencies that can support them along the way. When explaining Transition to youth and young adults, it is important that they remember that this is a plan for their lives! They have both a right and responsibility to participate in their own transition planning.

There are three pillars of Transition for youth to understand: post-secondary education, independent living, and employment. Spending some time on each pillar is critical, because once youth understand the system they are in, they can grow into active participants rather than recipients of services. In order to engage youth in their transition process, they first have to understand what Transition is and why it benefits them to participate in the process. A great interactive resource to help youth, educators, and families to understand this process is Transition Discoveries, a research-based model to empower people towards success in their transition journeys. Youth can make individual profiles and think through their transition process with Transition Discoveries’ youth centered modules.

Youth have also created several resources to help educators and state teams to engage youth and collaborate to support young self-advocates. The Youth Engagement Now (YEN) project is a website that hosts content developed by youth to help organizations to have better and more effective youth engagement. Helping youth transition means listening to them and using their insights in the work. The YEN project embodies the disability civil rights motto “Nothing About Us Without Us!”

The Transition Discoveries Discovery Cards provide opportunities to engage youth in conversation or to take action in preparing for the future. Each card has a conversation starter and an action.

You can access digital cards here or purchase sets of cards here!

© 2024 Transition Discoveries

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!

Charting Your Course

July 31-August 1, 2024

Virtual and In-Person Registration Now Available!
Penn Stater Conference Center - 215 Innovation Boulevard State College, PA 16803

The primary purpose of this two-day conference is to expand the capacity of youth, family members, schools, and community partners regarding specific issues related to effective employment and post-secondary educational practices, development of healthy lifestyles, and the utility of assistive technology, resources, supports, and services available to youth and families.

Conference Features

Accommodations, Supports and Resources Expo, Reception & Raffle
This interactive, hands-on expo is designed for participants to learn about specific assistive technology, resources, supports, and services available to youth. Participants will gather valuable information from transition partners, conference presenters, and community agencies. As part of the expo, on Wednesday afternoon, there will be a raffle of items provided by members of our PA Secondary Transition Community of Practice and our vendors.

Youth & Family Team Sessions
Throughout the years, youth/young adults, and families have benefitted from the sessions held at the transition conference. Based upon feedback, the planning team has developed a team approach where youth and family members (or a supporting adult) attend sessions together. These sessions include youth development activities, to help youth plan for adult life, with the support of their family (or supporting adult).

Payment Options:

Credit card payment – The PaTTAN registration system is equipped to process payments made by credit card. Credit card payments are entered online as part of the registration process.

Check or money/purchase order payments - Make check or money/purchase orders payable to INTERMEDIATE UNIT 1 and send to the attention of the Business Office, PaTTAN West, 3190 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Email purchase orders to ConferencePO@pattanpgh.net. Checks or money/purchase orders must include registrants(s) full name(s).

In-Person Payment Deadline:
Please note that if your registration fee is not received by July 15, 2024, you will be required to submit payment at the registration desk prior to registering and receiving your conference materials. (Parents of children with disabilities and youth/young adults are exempt from this charge.)

Virtual Payment Deadline:
Payment must be received prior to July 15, 2024, to ensure access to the virtual platform. Online access to the conference will not be available to participants who have not submitted payment.

Cancellations:
If you are unable to attend the conference you must cancel your registration by July 15, 2024, by contacting Paula Quinn via email at pquinn@pattanpgh.net, or your registration fee will not be refunded.

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