Transition Success 

Private Funding is being sought for this program.

SCOPE:

'Transition Success” is what every teen about to graduate, their teachers and family want. Whether it is going to college or getting a good job, each teen hopes to be prepared to meet the first challenges of adulthood. For teens with developmental disabilities, the future can look bleak. Schools have transition plans for special education students but often students need individual intensive skill development in addition to their school curriculum. This program addresses the need for individual preparation of students with developmental disabilities to make a successful transition from school to the community. Federal law ensures students with disabilities have special education rights until age 22. After that there are no guarantees that individuals will receive the supports and services they need. Adult services are not mandated. In Illinois there are over 14,000 people with identified unmet needs according to the latest Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, PUNS (Prioritization of Unmet Needs) report. Adults with developmental disabilities have the highest unemployment rate of any population group. If a special education student leaves school without a job, the odds are they will never achieve meaningful employment. Unemployment leads to total dependence on welfare, stress on family caregivers, low self-esteem and loneliness. Students with disabilities can achieve the same kind of life we all aspire too. To achieve a productive life, they need to have intense, individualized training. “Transition Success” in conjunction with their school transition services, optimizes the chance for employment and success in adulthood.

The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties, in conjunction with Rockford School District 205 and Growth Enterprises Community Employment program, is offering motivated special needs students an opportunity to enroll in “Transition Success”.

The program provides an enriched curriculum in the four life skill areas essential for after graduation success:
1.Functional reading and math skills,
2. Personal money management skills,
3.Social and relationship skills
4.Support from family and mentors
Students complete a nine-month training program while family members attend workshops designed to help them understand their new role in the lives of their young adult children. Family participation in the program is mandatory. The goal for each student is to graduate with a job, self employment or a plan for further education. This goal benefits the community where the graduates use these skills to lead happy, productive, contributing lives in their community.

Collaboration:

1. Rockford School District 205 Division of Special Education will identify appropriate students, include their "Transition Plus" enrollment in their IEP and transition plan, and provide transportation to the program site.
2.  Huntington Learning Center will administer a functional reading and math proficiency assessment, evaluate the reading age of the student, and work with The Arc to develop an individual curriculum based on the student's learning style.
3. Students will be referred to Illinois Growth Community Employment Program for assistance in finding community employment.

PURPOSE:

Population served:

Students with developmental disabilities age 14 1/2 to 22 years enrolled in special education transition plans.

 The purpose of this grant is to fund the “Transition Success” start up year. Students with severe disabilities are unlikely to find employment if they are not working when they leave school. While schools do the best they can, the majority of students watch the school bus go by on their 22nd birthday with no job and an uncertain future. Their lives become very narrow with few social opportunities. The burden on families trying to care for an adult child at home is heavy. For motivated special education students, an intensive real life based curriculum supplementing the school plan can make the difference as they move from school to work and the community.
There are four predictors of success in finding, and just as important, keeping a job after leaving the special education system.
1. Functional reading and math skills,
2. Personal money management skills,
3.Social and relationship skills
4.Support from family and mentors
“Transition Success” will provide enrichment curriculum in these four areas.

 GOALS

1. 80% of students will complete the program from September to June

2.  60% of students who complete the program will be employed, self employed or enrolled in tertiary education.
3.  90% of students will have made significant progress towards the transition goals identified in their IEP plans.