Secondary Transition

Postsecondary transition planning for students with disabilities is a process beginning at age 14 (or earlier if appropriate) designed to help students reach their vision for a meaningful and productive future as they move from high school into adulthood, including postsecondary education, employment, and independent living.

The transition period represents not only a time of change for students but also a significant adjustment for families. Even those who have participated in their youth’s IEP meetings for many years might find the new processes involved in transitioning from high school planning to adult life to be confusing or overwhelming. Families must have the information to understand how the services and supports their youth has received under IDEA differ from those that may be available to them as an adult.

Guiding the Journey: CAPS to COMPASS 

Apart from the students themselves, parents or other family members are often the only people who remain a consistent part of the IEP team and the transition from high school to adulthood planning process from year to year. Additionally, families are likely to remain involved in their child’s life after high school. Because transition planning includes areas other than academics, for example, healthcare needs, transportation, or living arrangements. Apart from the students themselves, parents or other family members are often the only people who remain a consistent part of the IEP team and the transition from high school to adulthood planning process from year to year. Additionally, families are likely to remain involved in their youth’s life after high school. Because transition planning includes areas other than academics, for example, healthcare needs, transportation, or living arrangements, families often serve as the bridge between the school and community for their youth. As such, educators should ensure that families are active partners in transition planning and that their perspectives are valued, families often serve as the bridge between the school and community for their young adults. As such, families are active partners in the transition from high school to adult life planning and that their perspectives are valued

At West Virginia Parent Training and Information, we support families on this pathway through Guiding the Journey (GTJ): Caps to Compass.  GTJ is not a training, but an ongoing program that supports families of children and youth with disabilities and their ever-changing needs.  We meet monthly during the school year and bring in key stakeholders who may be part of their child’s journey. We reach out to our families to ask whether there are areas in which they need additional information to support their youth’s postsecondary transition.

At WVPTI we understand that life can be complicated and overwhelming.  We would like families to attend each session; however, life happens.  Children and family get sick, busy, appointments, and sometimes we are just too tired to attend more activities. We meet families where they are and if you cannot attend every session.  Attending the sessions that pertain to where you are on your journey then we get it.  This section will be providing ongoing resources and updates.  Please stop by and check often. IF you want to reach us at any time, we  are one call away.