Working, Learning and Becoming An Independent Adult

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Working, Learning and Becoming An Independent
Adult

• David Desmond, Aaron Triphan, Nicole Beschta and
  Lindsey Mathys

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A Little About Pulaski Schools

• The Pulaski Community School District has a
  population of 3700 students. We have roughly 380
  students in special education Early Childhood
  through age 21.
• Pulaski High School has 129 students in special
  education at this time.

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Beginning the Transition Journey

Transition Action Guide
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PARTNERS IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS
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Age 14 to the end of 9th grade

• Transitioning Activities
• Career Inventories/Interest Inventories
• Exploring options for post-secondary options
• Conversations about career options
• Begin the Post Secondary Transition Plan
• Developing Pre-Employment Skills
• Focus is Academic and Life Skills

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Grade 10 Transition Activities

• Begin Transition Portfolio
• Review areas of academic needs
• Refine identified Social Skills needs
• Work on Interpersonal Skills
• Work on Intrapersonal Skills
• Participate/Volunteer in School and Community
  Activities
• Learn about Recreational Activities

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Grade 10 Continued.....

• Develop Self-Determination and Self-Advocacy
  Skills
• Focus on Academic and Graduation Requirements
• Continue exploring post-secondary options for
  possible career interests
• Begin exploring transportation options
• Enjoy school activities

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How the Red Raider Cafe Started...
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RED RAIDER CAFE
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Kitchen Workers
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Grade 11 Transition Activities

• Redefine identified needs academically,
  emotionally and socially.
• Continue working on Transition Portfolio.
• Begin contacting the Department of Vocational
  Rehabilitation (DVR).
• Contact Aging and Disability Resource Center.
• Discuss Guardianship Possibilities.
• Complete transition assessment
• Enderle-Severson Transition Rating Scale

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Grade 11 Continued.....

• Explore adult long term care options and apply
  for appropriate services if eligible.
• Apply for SSI and re-apply for Medicaid.
• Complete a functional skills assessment if
  necessary.
• Discuss living options.
• Collaborative effort to focus on functional
  skills at school, home and community.

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Grade 11 Continued....

• Focus on personal safety and community safety.
• Attend the Social World Class if appropriate.
• Possible academic testing or cognitive testing
  for preparation of post secondary needs.
• MAP testing
• Attend the Transition Fairs in your County.

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Grade 11 Continued....

• Attend the Oneida Nation Exploratory Career Days.
• Complete TABE or ACT testing for post secondary
  education.
• Visit College Campuses.
• Continue Career Preparation Planning.
• Update Job Interests.
• Begin work experiences in the school setting.

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Grade 11 Continued....

• Work on Employability/Work Skills.
• Obtain Employment.
• Begin exploring independent housing options.
• Begin exploring transportation options.

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Rita- The Job Coach
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Thoughts from Daniel SloweyCo-Principal of PHS

1. Absolutely wonderful real life experiences that
   can't be simulated in classroom settings.
2. Self- esteem rises, students become empowered,
   make an impact at school and earn a paycheck.
3. Spark students who didn't have a spark or
   interest at school. Students love to be
   involved......

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Work Experiences- SuperRon's
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Work Experiences

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Grade 12 Transition Activities

• Update or Finalize Transition Portfolio
• Add work experiences, letters of recommendations,
  references
• DVR representation at IEP's if eligible.
• Aspiro representation if appropriate.
• Possible Functional Skills, Academic or Cognitive
  testing.
• Continue working on adaptive behaviors.
• Healthy Transition Skills.

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Goodwill Industries
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Grade 12 Continued...

• Focus on Safety and Security
• Attend Transition Fairs in your County
• Example- Pulaski attends both Shawano and Brown
  County Fairs- Set up and information is very
  different.
• TABE or ACT testing if appropriate.
• Visit College Campuses.
• Apply to hopeful technical or 4 year colleges.

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Grade 12 Continued....

• Attend the Social World Class if appropriate.
• Job Training/Community Integration
• Work Sampling of Jobs.
• Employability and Work Skills
• Work Experiences through the School and the
  Community.
• Additional Supports and links to resources.

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Grade 12 Continued....

• Transportation Options
• If a driver's license is not an option, the
  teachers work on preparing students for transit
  on the bus systems.
• Encourage students to obtain housing that would
  be close to work options as they complete high
  school.

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Kevin Bahr- Facilities Director

• 1. Work in a collaborative effort where both
  departments learn and grow together. (Getting the
  work done isn't the highest priority.)
• 2. Students develop life-long skills that promote
  independence and responsibility.
• 3. Getting the students actively involved and
  caring for our school.
• 4. Win-Win situations for all departments
  involved. (Our students are our most devoted,
  happy and hard working students.) There is no way
  that projects and work would done without our
  help from our student workers.

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Work Experiences
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Work Experiences
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Transition Years Age 18-21

• Continue the process of Grade 12 for students.
  Student options are based on individual needs.
• Finalize Transition Portfolio.
• DVR options for possible employment.
• Last year in school.
• ASPIRO options for possible employment.
• Last year in school.

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The Final Transition Years...

• Oneida Tribal Community Options
• Celebrate Disability Employment Awareness
• Finalize PostSecondary housing options.
• Attend the CESA program
• Learning for Independence Cooperative Transition
  Program at NWTC.
• Employment Options with a job coach or
  independently in the community.

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The Final Transition Years...

• On the job training options.
• Review continued areas of needs and connect
  families with appropriate agencies.
• Transportation Options
• Students are given opportunities to practice
  becoming independent on the bus transit.

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Learning for Independence
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Learning for Independence
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Community Employment -Daycares
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How does this happen?

• Collaborative Effort with Student, Family, School
  and the Community Agencies.

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Important Resources

• Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative
• http//www.wsti.org/
• Opening Doors A Guide to Adult Services
• (published by the Department of Public
  Instruction)
• Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
• http//dwd.wisconsin.gov/dvr/

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More Resources

• Aging and Disability Resource Center
• http//www.dhs.wisconsin.gov//ltcaread
  rc/
• Additional Questions Contact your school
  district's transition coordinator/representative.

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Special Thanks to ......

• The Students in the Pulaski Work Experience
  Program
• Special Education Staff
• Job Coaches
• Paraprofessionals