Boulder Valley School Boulder Valley School DistrictDistrict

18-21 Services18-21 Services

PowerPoint Developed by

Donna Miers, Transition Specialist

Transition in relationship to 18-21 Transition in relationship to 18-21 services…services…

It is important to note that transition is a process…and not a program. Everyoneneeds to prepare for life’s transitions. Parents and students need to think about the future and prepare appropriately.•Purpose of the IEP….•He who aims at nothing hits it every time

Indicator 13 requirements:1. PSGs (after high school, measurable,….not wants to , or is considering)2.Annual meeting3.Assessments to drive the process4.Services and Activities stated appropriately (who is doing what)5.Course of study outlined and meaningful (multi-year & focused)6.Was the student invited?7.Do the annual goals relate to the future outcomes? SMART PSGs (specific, measurable, attainable, results oriented, time bound)8.Annual meeting9.Agency Invitation/permission?

Remember…..there are Remember…..there are many transitions in life…. many transitions in life…. prepareprepare

““Community-based transition programs are Community-based transition programs are developed by public school systems but developed by public school systems but located in age-appropriate settings for located in age-appropriate settings for students who are ages 18-21. The purpose of students who are ages 18-21. The purpose of 18-21 programs is to provide intensive 18-21 programs is to provide intensive transition experiences and training in real-life transition experiences and training in real-life settings. An important feature of 18-21 settings. An important feature of 18-21 programs is that the students do not go to a programs is that the students do not go to a high school building on a daily basis; instead, high school building on a daily basis; instead, they spend their time in community-based they spend their time in community-based settings.”settings.”

www.transition coalition.org coalition.org

““Keep in mind that the district responsibility Keep in mind that the district responsibility is tois to identify identify post-school goals, post-school goals, prepareprepare the the student for the next environment, and student for the next environment, and linklink him with the next appropriate services.”  him with the next appropriate services.” 

Barb PalmerBarb Palmer

One of the major goals of One of the major goals of our program is to our program is to collaborate with each collaborate with each student and family to student and family to simulate a weekly schedule simulate a weekly schedule similar to the one the similar to the one the students will have at age 21students will have at age 21

Boulder Valley School Boulder Valley School DistrictDistrict

Our 18 to 21 Program has 3 components:•Pathways: students that need a higher level of support as they participate in instructional community access opportunities. •Bridges: students that need less support and minimal instructional hours as they move toward their post-secondary goals. •Employment Services: for students seeking work experience leading toward paid employment

To access BVSD’s 18-21 services a To access BVSD’s 18-21 services a student must have completed the student must have completed the academic credits required to receive a academic credits required to receive a diploma. In addition, the student must diploma. In addition, the student must agree to attend a minimum of 5.5 hours agree to attend a minimum of 5.5 hours of instruction per week. Additional of instruction per week. Additional hours are decided by the IEP team and hours are decided by the IEP team and based on the need(s) of the student.based on the need(s) of the student.

The transition to adulthood is perhaps the The transition to adulthood is perhaps the most complex of any we encounter. The most complex of any we encounter. The paths we select have consequences for the paths we select have consequences for the remainder of our lives. Transition remainder of our lives. Transition programming for youth with disabilities is a programming for youth with disabilities is a focus of attention at the Federal level focus of attention at the Federal level through several laws. One of the most through several laws. One of the most notable is the Individuals with Disabilities notable is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) The IDEA defines Education Act (IDEA) The IDEA defines transition as a coordinated set of activities transition as a coordinated set of activities for a student designed within an outcome-for a student designed within an outcome-oriented process with long-range goals in oriented process with long-range goals in mind. mind.

Our goal is to transition each student to the best possible Our goal is to transition each student to the best possible level of adult independent living. Students will have the level of adult independent living. Students will have the opportunity to:opportunity to:

* experience self-respect and dignity * experience self-respect and dignity * exercise choice and control over their lives * exercise choice and control over their lives * earn respect for their dreams and aspirations * earn respect for their dreams and aspirations * experience freedom to form their own relationships * experience freedom to form their own relationships

Each student is dealt with on an individual basis Each student is dealt with on an individual basis according to his/her unique needs. Additionally, we know according to his/her unique needs. Additionally, we know that students have a right to work for employers who that students have a right to work for employers who appreciate them and who will compensate them appreciate them and who will compensate them accordingly. We want each student to learn that their accordingly. We want each student to learn that their abilities are valuable and that they can contribute to their abilities are valuable and that they can contribute to their

communities in meaningful ways.communities in meaningful ways.

How do we assist students?How do we assist students?

Access Boulder TEC orCommunity College

Independent LivingWorkshops

Social/Recreation

Work StudyProgram

Bus Training

Community Agency Connections

Agency ConnectionsAgency Connections

• Community College (FRCC orientation/assessment Community College (FRCC orientation/assessment connectionsconnections

• Division of Vocational RehabilitationDivision of Vocational Rehabilitation• SWAPSWAP• WFBCWFBC• Association for Community Living (ACL, Association for Community Living (ACL,

activities/advocacy)activities/advocacy)• Boulder County Social ServicesBoulder County Social Services• Center for People with DisabilitiesCenter for People with Disabilities• Imagine! (Boulder County’s Community Based Board)Imagine! (Boulder County’s Community Based Board)• SSI/SSDI (Supplemental Security Income; Social SSI/SSDI (Supplemental Security Income; Social

Security Disability funds)Security Disability funds)

We Provide We Provide Workshops/Community Workshops/Community Experiences that Focus on:Experiences that Focus on:

• AdvocacyAdvocacy

• Money ManagementMoney Management

• Job SkillsJob Skills

• Living on Your OwnLiving on Your Own

• CookingCooking

• Health and NutritionHealth and Nutrition

• Social SkillsSocial Skills

• Safety in the Safety in the Community and on the Community and on the InternetInternet

http://www.transitioncoalition.org/transition/ics.php

A Glimpse at our programA Glimpse at our program

Bus Training

Workshops

Voting Information and Registration Opportunity

Students learned from, Jerry Leary, a blind business owner the challenges that can occur (and be overcome)when starting a business

Project: Senior Connections

Learning that we all, eventually, have to learn to adapt to difficulties and the loss of abilities

Cooking

Social

Gatherings

Job skill Opportunities

Accounting 101

Volunteer opportunities in the community

Worked with the city of Lafayette to fill eggs for a spring business promotion

Recreation opportunities

Making connections and celebrating successes

•

Boulder Valley School Boulder Valley School DistrictDistrict

Providing youth with the tools Providing youth with the tools they will need to live a they will need to live a successful and fulfilling lifesuccessful and fulfilling life

Internet sites:Internet sites:Website: Website: www.mierstransition2010.pbworks.comBlog: Blog: www.bvsdintotheworld.wordpress.comTwitter: Twitter: http://twitter.com/bvsdsped