Tuesday Transition Tips
Hello and Happy New Year!
The Countywide Transition Coalition Meeting is canceled for January 8th, 2025. We will reconvene on February 12, 2025. Please join us during the Transition Huddle on January 14th at 2:00-3:00pm to collaborate with any questions, concerns or celebrations. Zoom link below.
Transition Tip #37
Age of Majority
I don’t know about you, but I was so excited to reach the age of majority not really knowing all that awaited for me. In Michigan the age of majority or the transferring of rights occurs when a young person turns18 years old. Many young people look forward to the freedom to make their own decisions without parent input and so forth, however turning 18 also transfers over responsibilities for the decisions that they chose along with requirements that come along with being an adult such as males registering with the Selective Service. Parents, as well as special education providers, have a role in preparing and informing our students with not only the privileges afforded to them at 18 but the responsibilities as well. There is the section in the IEP of the transition page of the IEP at the bottom called: Parental Rights and Age of Majority. There are options in this section, and one states:” The student will be age 17 during this IEP and the student was informed of parental rights that he or she will receive at age 18.” I used to get a lot of kick back when I read this statement to students and their families, some parents would pull me to the side and ask me did I have to read that, and I would say, “yes, I do.” It is important as parents and special education providers that we start early with preparing our students for the age of majority/transferring of rights. For some of our students with disabilities their parents may be concerned with the transferring of rights, and there are options such as supported decision making, power of attorney, trusts, and other options. These are important conversations and learning that should be taking place way before reaching the age of majority/transferring of rights.
Take a look at these publications:
Family Matters: Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education: Transition: Age of Majority Considerations
Michigan Alliance for Families: Age of Majority: Rights and Responsibilities from Michigan Alliance for Families
Michigan Alliance for Families: Transition Step-by-Step:From Special Education To Adulthood
Agencies that support with this process:
Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy (WACA)
Joelle L. Gurnoe-Adams, Attorney at Law
Workshops for information:
WISD Community Agency Workshop, information below
WISD Transition Planning Law Night- information below
- https://wisd.zoom.us/j/99008912734?pwd=9GGUDbr0jOWNkX4SRVu5n0uKsVXaLk.1
- Meeting ID: 990 0891 2734
- Passcode: 669019
Don't forget our monthly Countywide Transition Coalition Meeting for Washtenaw County Transition District Designees, WISD teachers, consultants, and service providers is held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 9am-11am at the Teaching and Learning Center.
Transition Informational Parent & Student Workshop
Transition Informational Parent & Student Workshop
Thursday, May 15, 2025, 05:00 PM
1819 South Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Professional Development Opportunities
Postsecondary Transition Professional Development
Dates:
- January 15, 2025 11am-1pm (virtually)
- March 18, 2025 1pm-3pm (at 1819 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 in Seminar 1)
Register via the WISD Workshop Link on the WISD website under staff
2024-2025 IEP Training Opportunities
Need some assistance writing compliant IEP and appropriate PLAAFP statements and goals? Here is a great opportunity for you to receive training on these topics.
Professional Development you can attend:
· Interactive IEP Training: How to write a compliant IEP
· Creating PLAAFPs and Measurable Goals/Objectives
START Project: Secondary Transition
Student Opportunities
SummerWorks
Digital Literacy Tutoring
ESL Community Tutoring
Free Tutoring for Returning Citizens
Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual
This Tuesday’s Transition Tip is a review to some and introduction to others. It is important as special education providers/case managers that we create structured and detailed postsecondary transition plans for our students. The Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual is a guide to assist special education staff with creating complaint post-secondary transition plans. This guide contains a table of contents to help locate information quickly. The manual also gives insight on how not only to build a complaint transition plan but a quality transition plan. It includes links, videos, and an appendix to assist. Please take the time to read and review the Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual.
Need resources
The WISD Transition Services website has an assessment library with FREE electronic forms/materials. Check it out!
Also the WISD has a lending library of assessment and curricula resources using the WISD Destiny Library.
Transition Triumphs
*When using student photos be sure to included photo release permissions.