Vermont Parent Information Center - Helping Children with Special Needs and their Families in Vermont

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	VPIC Programs	Transition & Youth Leadership Program VPIC has created a Youth Leadership Program for high school students with special needs in cooperation with the Vermont Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The purpose of the program is to develop self-advocacy skills in youth with disabilities and increase their participation in their education and transition plans. VPIC is partnering with VR in an effort to help youth and their families better understand employment benefits, work incentives, and other federal assistance programs. VPIC also provides information, resources and support to families and youth with disabilities regarding their transition from school to adulthood. Our Transition & Youth Leadership Program Resources page provides links to VPIC's fact sheets on transition, as well as information on additional publications available on the web, national websites, helpful websites relating to transition topics, and transition resources available in Vermont. For more information on the Youth Leadership Program or resources available to help with transition, please e-mail our Transition Program Director, Lynette Over, or give her a call at 802-324-2632. For a good introduction to transition, please read the overview on transition immediately below. The overview links to resources by topic available on our Transition & Youth Leadership Program Resources page. Overview on Transition Transition is a term we often hear when we think about our children's future as they move to adulthood. There are many terms to become familiar with and transition is one that we associate with an individualized education program or an IEP. Transition is defined in IDEA 2004 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004) as a coordinated set of activities for a student designed within an outcome-oriented process, which promotes movement from school to post-school activities. This includes: 1. post-secondary education 2. vocational training 3. employment 4. independent living or community participation. IDEA describes transition services as activities designed to help students accomplish future goals. Time to think about: Age of majority-is defined as the time a young adult turns 18 years of age Guardianship is when is a person is appointed legally with the legal responsibility to protect the well-being and rights of another. Roles of parents can change when a child becomes an adult Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Accommodations-things that make learning easier Self advocacy skills Driving needs and skills to be identified Identifying interests and skills is helpful in planning the future. Learning styles Career search and choices help young people make decisions on which job opportunities to explore Tools to help in planning transition goals help students identify their strengths Programs and Agencies to become familiar with and explore Differences between high school and college are important to know College entrance exams are part of the admission process Financial aid helps pay for college Postsecondary schools in Vermont offer many educational opportunities Scholarships for students with disabilities can help to pay for education Laws are important to know postsecondary school Rights of students in postsecondary education are important to learn about Disclosure is when you voluntarily tell people about the disability SSI and Health Benefits are social security income benefits There are many paths students choose as they plan the transition to adulthood. Some choices are: employment trade and vocational schools technical schools distance learning military careers college Some students go to work and college and have many questions about postsecondary education. There are many publications on postsecondary education that are helpful in learning about choices for transition age youth. There are many choices and options for students pursuing postsecondary education. For more information on and help for transition age youth, please e-mail our Transition Program Director, Lynette Over, or give her a call at 802-324-2632. If you need assistance outside of Vermont, please visit your state parent training information center.
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