Transition from School to Work
The following resources describe initiatives that helped individuals with disabilities transition from educational settings to competitive, integrated employment.
Promising Practices for Transition from School to Work
This webpage provides resources and lessons learned from the implementation of various initiatives serving transition-age youth in Massachusetts on their path to employment.
Cross Systems Collaboration
Content coming soon.
Family Engagement
Transition to Employment: Get the Facts #2
This fact sheet provides key tips for how families can help young adults with intellectual disability and/or autism who may need decision-making supports.
Transition to Employment: Get the Facts #1
This fact sheet provides key tips for how to achieve competitive integrated employment even if you need job supports on an ongoing basis.
Related Webinars
For Families and Students
Assistive Technology and Transition to Employment
Kristi Peak-Oliveira of Easterseals Massachusetts and Jan Hollenbeck of Medford Public Schools share strategies regarding use of assistive technology during transition from school to adult life, to support employment and career success. Steps for identification of technology and a variety of technology examples are provided.
ENGAGING DIVERSE FAMILIES IN YOUTH TRANSITION
Description:
This webinar identifies challenges and barriers culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families experience. It provides an overview of strategies for supporting and increasing partnerships between CLD families and professionals.
Presented by:
Ginger Kwan: Executive Director of Open Doors for Multicultural Families
Reehana Nisha: Transition Program Lead at Open Doors for Multicultural Families
Slides ( PDF)
Getting From Here to There: Transportation During the Transition Years
Description:
This webinar addresses transportation services available to people with disabilities in communities around Massachusetts, explores connections between transition-aged youth and transportation opportunities, and provides a greater understanding of how to effectively infuse the topic of transportation when discussing transition goals.
Presented by:
Rachel Fichtenbaum: Executive Office of Health and Human Services Mobility Manager, Mass Mobility
MaryEllen MacRae: Director of Community Support Services of Ester Seals Massachusetts
Raising the Bar: Seeing Employment as Part of Our Children’s Future
This webinar is designed to help parents raise the bar and envision an employment success for their son or daughter. Success stories and strategies are shared to help youth prepare for employment through chores at home and work experience in the community.
Presented by:
Sean Roy: Training Associate, TransCen Inc
For Professionals and Educators
Partnering with Families: Working Towards Employment Success
Description:
This webinar highlights the importance of family involvement in the employment success of youth, while providing strategies for professionals to better engage families in the process. Topics include understanding the family perspective, addressing apprehension in exploring community-based employment, and strategies for helping families play a key role in career readiness and the job search.
Presented by:
Sean Roy: Training Associate, TransCen Inc
School-Related Issues
Helping Your Child to Lead: Student-Driven Secondary Transition Webinar
Presented by:
Amanda Green: Secondary Transition Coordinator, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Martha Daigle: Family Engagement Coordinator, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Turning 18
Planning for the Transition to Adulthood: Applying for SSI and Medicaid (MassHealth)
Description:
As students in special education prepare to enter adulthood, individuals with I/DD who are turning 18 years old will apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. This webinar provides information on why applying for SSI and Medicaid is important, the steps you need to take to prepare to apply, and then how to apply for this important benefit.
Presented by:
Karen Mariscal: Esq.
Pat Nemia: M.A., P.T., Project Director at the Federation for Children with Special Needs
Autonomy, Decision Making Supports, and Guardianship
Description:
This webinar addresses guardianship, alternatives to guardianship and other “coming of age” related issues for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Presented by:
Frederick M. Misilo, Jr.: Attorney and Vice President, the Arc of The United States, Inc.
Self Determination and Self Advocacy
The following videos feature young adults speaking about their transition experiences moving from high school to the working world. They discuss the job training they received while in high school, how supportive their schools were of their post-school goals, and give advice for both students and educators about supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their transition years.
Jillian's Transition Story
Patrick's Transition Story
Kamisha's Transition Story
Maggie's Transition Story
Work Experiences
WORK-BASED LEARNING FOR STUDENTS WITH HIGH SUPPORT NEEDS: THEMES, STRATEGIES, AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
This comprehensive brief discusses a variety of issues and strategies for supporting students in work experiences as part of transition from school to adult life, including a series of practice and policy recommendations.
Community Transportation for Transition-Aged Youth with Disabilities
This one-page brief provides a variety of ideas and resources to assist youth with disabilities to identify transportation options for employment and other activities.