How We Transformed Our 18+ Transition Program: Step by Step

Laurie Tresl, Waco ISD

5/25/17

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HOW WE TRANSFORMED OUR 18+ PROGRAM~

A step-by step…LAURIE TRESLSPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATORWACO ISD

12 STEPS

We had students whose goals were not appropriate… The goals did not appear to be tied to post-secondary goals or post school outcomesSome examples of inappropriate goals:

u One annual goal that comes to mind for an 18+ non-verbal student was being able to identify the song: “ The Yellow Rose of Texas”

u Another annual goal for a non verbal student was being able to identify President Abraham Lincoln

u There were a plethora of goals for “canned” or contrived activities such as boxes with items for students to assemble

The FIRST step was to acknowledge we had to improve our practices!

#1

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We reviewed 18+ Purpose We reviewed Laws and Best Practices

u Students who have not met §89.1070(b)(3)

u Goals to Establish Adult Lifeu Community Based Purpose

Employed Employable Agency Connections

#2

u We had a number of students with significant disabilities who were aging out with the school and were in a self-contained setting for a full day

u We had some students who were following a traditional bell to bell “local high school” type schedule

u The majority of our 18+ students were “Center-based” students. They really were not “transitioning into our community” with an adult schedule

u We did not have appropriate processes in place to coordinate with the community in order to “plug in” students and their families

We “took inventory” of our program and found some of the following concerns with a Needs Assessment:

#3

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We asked ourselves… What do successful 18+ programs look like?

We consulted with Dr. Vickie Mitchell through Region 12

u Identified and toured other successful programs with similar makeup

u Inquired about processes/ proceduresu Reviewed sites within our community that would facilitate adult

life scheduling options (Transit system, YMCA/Planet Fitness.., community events and potential employers)

#4

u Move toward a program without walls

u Plans for students should be based on community resources

u 18+ Transition program treated as a service instead of a place (much like a related service)

u Individualized with minutes attached to each goal

u Minimize activities at the 18+ Services Center and maximize activities within the community

We had the discussion- How do we want to eat the elephant?For us… It was evident that we had to move our 18+ students from our high school campuses in order to redefine the purpose of our 18+ program for staff, students and families

u Start with the END in mind for every student!

# 5Defined what we wanted our program to look like

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u 18+ Manual

u Transition assessments for:1. Education/Training2. Employment3. Independent Living

u Job Coaching Manual

u How would we go about moving students off the high school?

#6Created Action Plan(s) with a Timeline

Develop sites within our community to address:uEmploymentuSocial/Rec/LeisureuPost- Secondary Education

We realized that an untapped community resource was our own school district regarding employment opportunities.

#7 Seek out community partners

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u Daily Livingu Lifelong learningu Social/ Rec/Leisure

#8 Enhance activities at 18+ site for students who were not 100% ready for the community

u Procedures and safety using the public transit system to access employment

u Soft skills focus at CBVI sites u Data Collection to assess strengths, preferences,

interests and needs(SPIN)u Referral to review for job readiness and VAC

services

#9 Identify vocational goals for students withinour community and train job coaches

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u Planning meeting should include student, family and possibly an agency case worker

u Facilitated with student in control u Hopes, dreams and interests developed u Short term life goals versus long term life goalsu Develops Postsecondary Goals and annual activities for

ARDu Results in an action plan, assigning tasks to each

“transition team” member

#10 Implement Person Centered Planningfor each student

uMEET, MEET, MEETu TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN

uWe met monthly in order to monitor our plan and to REFINE it.

uWe ripped the Band-Aid off!

#11 Establish the URGENCY

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u Train on the intention of TRANSITION- Mythbusters!!u Move students to maximum independenceu Supports and services tied to post-secondary goals and post-school

outcomes

u District levelu Parentsu Community

u 18+ Transition- There is no other time in a child’s educational career where the IEP is more individualized…. (Dr. Vickie Mitchell)

u Begin the conversation about what a 23 year old version of their (adult) child really looks like? What will they be doing each day from 8-4? Where will they live? What type of support do they have? Who will provide that support when they are an adult?

u Work toward that end every day!

#12 Change the Philosophy and Mindset

Continue to improve…

u We seek new community partnerships each year and have begun to conduct person-centered planning sooner.

u We began with the students who were 18+ initially and now have processes in place to plan in this manner with the families even earlier.