|
High School » Maryvale School System Transition Services
Maryvale School System Transition Services
Planning and support services for students preparing for post-secondary education or the workforce.
|
 |
|
Maryvale School System Transition Services "Transition Services are a coordinated set of activities resulting in the improvement of academic and functional achievement of students with disabilities thereby facilitating their movement from school to post school activities leading to employment." Mission Statement Our goal is to provide education, planning and support so that all students become productive, responsible young adults who are able to participate in their community to their highest potential by acquiring and demonstrating skills in the following areas:
Transition Team | Kitty Voos, School Psychologist/Transition Coordinator | 631-4663 | | Karen Bauchle, Director of Special Services | 631-7420 | | TBA, School Counselor (A-G) | 631-7405 | | Laura Murphy, School Counselor (H-O) | 631-7457 | | Kelly Squires, School Counselor (P-Z) | 631-7456 | | Karen Paszkiewicz, Social Worker | 631-7411 | | Peg Guzda, Special Education Teacher & Coordinator | | | Wendy Adkins, Special Education Teacher | |
Transition News & Happenings The Model Transition Project Maryvale has been fortunate to have been a part of the Model Transition Project (MTP) for the past 18 months. The MTP is a grant program through the New York State Department of Education which is focused on improving post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities. We began our MTP project in January of 2008 with the expectation that the grant would continue through October of 2010. However, as the economic crisis continues to affect the state and region, we have received notice that the grant will end this coming October. Nevertheless, we have implemented the fundamentals of an outstanding transition process and have plans to sustain and build on that foundation to address the ongoing needs of our students with disabilities as they make the transition from high school to college or to the world of work. During the 2008-2009 year we provided students with many diverse opportunities related to transition. A primary focus of the MTP has been to connect students with disabilities with post-secondary services available through the New York State office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). We have successfully completed VESID applications with many of our 2008 and 2009 graduates and, of those, many have been found eligible to receive a wide array of individualized services. Some students have received financial assistance with tuition and/or books for college; others have received help with driver education, mobility training or job coaching. All eligible students have the benefit of life-long access to a vocational counselor who will work with them to develop a long-term plan for job success! In addition to the VESID application process, there have been college tours, guest speakers, Job Club, College Club, Transition Academies, staff training and much more. College tours were very popular with our students and provided them with an opportunity to see schools such as Niagara County Community College, ECC, Villa Maria, Hilbert, Fredonia, and Buffalo State. The students were able to see each campus in session and ask questions of staff in the disability services office as well as current college students. Other popular programs included weekly Job Clubs (where students learned job-related skills such as application writing and interviewing) and Employment Day (where students were able to meet multiple employers and complete applications in one session). For the upcoming school year and into the future we will work to provide diverse educational experiences to ensure that our students with disabilities have the skills, knowledge and support to become independent, successful adults.
2009-2010 Transition Activities and Services A wide variety of activities and services for students and parents are planned for the upcoming school year, including: VESID WORKSHOPS The Mission of the NYS Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) is to promote educational equity and excellence for students with disabilities while ensuring that they receive the rights and protection to which they are entitled; assure appropriate continuity between the child and adult services systems; and provide the highest quality vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to all eligible persons as quickly as those services are required to enable them to work and live independent, self-directed lives. The Maryvale Transition Team and MTP will hold workshops for 11th and 12th grade students with disabilities to provide them with a better understanding of VESID services and application procedures. These will be scheduled throughout the school year. Students attending these workshops will complete VESID applications. For more information on what VESID is and how VESID can help you or your student check out 'VESID Q&A for Students' and 'VESID Q&A for Parents' GUEST SPEAKERS Check back in September, 2009 for an up-to-date schedule of topics and presenters JOB CLUB We believe that every student will benefit from learning about the employment process. We have created Job Club to teach skills that will increase a student’s chance of gaining and maintaining employment. To help the students understand the employment process we will cover many topics (i.e. filling out job applications, job search techniques, interview strategies, etc). Some job clubs are held during class, during study hall/resource room, and/or after school. This is determined by the staff and Transition Coordinator to best fit the needs of the students. COLLEGE CLUB To help students learn more about the college process and topics related to being a college student, we have created college club. Our goal is to expose students to a variety of topics (i.e. High School VS. College, Guide to Financial Aid, Dorm living, The Office of Disabilities, etc). College Club is also offered during class, study halls/resource room, and/or after school. TRANSITION ACADEMIES We realize that not every student will have the chance to participate in a regularly scheduled Job Club or College Club due to their class schedule. To provide services to these students we have created Transition Academies, which are 40-minute seminars relating to work and college. They are stand alone sessions which students will not need to attend on a regular basis. The student will have the ability to choose topics in which they have an interest. COLLEGE TOURS We hope to be able to provide college tours to local colleges during the upcoming year. College tours during the 08-09 year were very popular with our students and provided them with an opportunity to see schools such as Niagara County Community College, ECC, Villa Maria, Hilbert, Fredonia, and Buffalo State. The students were able to see each campus in session and ask questions of staff in the disability services office as well as current college students. We are working on securing grant funding to facilitate ongoing tours - check back in September for updates. COLLEGE CAMP A four day program designed to give students a firsthand experience on a college campus. Students will be working with team leaders, who under the supervision of college professionals, will assist students in learning essential skills that will assist them in making a successful adjustment to college life. Most team leaders will be current college students with disabilities. Students who have completed 11th grade and are entering 12th grade will be eligible for the camp which takes place during the summer.
- http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/transition/tranmain.htm
Main Transition webpage for the NY State office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) This website describes the transition process for secondary students with disabilities.
- http://www.ccdanet.org/
The WNY Collegiate Consortium and Disabilty Advocates, better known as CCDA, is comprised of a group of postsecondary and secondary education professionals, and community and government agency representatives who are directly involved in working with students with disabilities. The group was originally formed to address the needs of students with disabilities on WNY college campuses, and has expanded its focus to include the preparation of students with disabilities for the transition from high school to college. This site has a fantastic college planning guide for Students with Disabilities (and their parents).
- http://www.heath.gwu.edu/node/684
The websites listed here are portals to further resources on transition from high schoolto postsecondary education. Sites may be hosted or funded by federal agencies, national agencies, state education agencies, local education agencies, institutes of higher education projects, private agencies or professional organizations.
- http://www.heath.gwu.edu/links
This page provides links by category to a wide variety of resources related to all aspect of transition planning.
- http://www.ahead.org
Association on Higher Education and Disability. Great resources for students,parents and professionals.
|
