What is the Adult Transition Program?

Transition is a coordinated set of activities designed to move students from high school into adult life. It is a student-centered process that involves instruction, community experiences and vocational evaluation.

Student’s ages 18-22 receive focused instruction that addresses life and employment skills. This includes instruction in independent living skills, community access, self-advocacy and employability.

Non Profit after School Program

Special Needs Program Oakland has been around for over a century and is the recipient of several awards and accolades. For instance, the program is the recipient of the Ala Costa Centers award for being the best agency in the state of California when it comes to children and youth with disabilities, which is a laudable feat for such a large organization.

The Special Needs Program has a lot to offer our students and their families. From our award winning after school programs, to our cutting edge outpatient medical and dental clinics and our community based daycare and preschool programs, we have the resources and expertise to make a difference in our students' lives.

Children with Special Needs

As a parent of a child with special needs, you are their most important advocate. You have a right to know about their medical and educational needs, and what resources are available to help you.

The first step in identifying and accessing the services you need is to have your child evaluated by an official physician. The evaluation will help determine if your child has a disability, and whether you need support from the government or other resources.

If you do have a special needs child, you should know that the government has several organizations and support networks designed to assist families with children with disabilities. These organizations can give you tips on what to look for when choosing a resource, as well as help you find community events and activities for your child.

The transition from school to adulthood is a crucial time in a young person’s life. This is particularly true for teenagers with special needs.

For this reason, it is essential that you begin the planning process early and make sure your child has the support they need to thrive as an adult. The New York State Education Department, your school district and your local special education staff are dedicated to helping your child prepare for adulthood.

Adult Transition Program

Adult Transition Program Special Needs Berkeley provides individualized education and community-based transitional services to students who have been receiving special education services for a minimum of two years. The program focuses on a variety of areas including acquiring work skills, independent living skills, life skills and social skills.

A major focus of the ATP is to help students learn how to live independently and obtain competitive integrated employment. This requires that students master skills such as public transportation, budgeting earnings, making purchases, utilizing different modes of communication, and demonstrating appropriate behavior in various settings.

Students who have not yet graduated from high school can begin transitioning in the year they turn 18 if they are eligible through the NY Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). When eligibility is determined, parents are contacted and required documents will be sent to OPWDD.

These sites are free and available to all students with a disability and their families. They are the key to ensuring that students with disabilities are prepared for a successful transition from school to adulthood.

Services

The transition from high school to adulthood is a major milestone in the lives of many students, including those with special needs. This transition is especially challenging for children with disabilities because they are leaving secure supports that are mandated by law and entering a system where services may be less certain.

In New York State, the Education Department has seven regional transition coordination sites that assist school districts to prepare high school students with disabilities for living, learning and working in the community as adults. These sites also provide technical assistance to families and youth requesting assistance with transition planning.

If your child is in a residential program, you are assigned a Transition Specialist to support you, your child and staff beginning when your child turns 15. The Transition Specialists will work with the student's academic, social and behavioral team to help them develop a plan for transition and vocational activities that will meet their goals as they move into adulthood.

The goal of the transition planning process is to ensure that all students who have a disability are ready for life after high school. This can be done through a variety of strategies, including instruction in the following areas: daily living skills, instructional and community experiences, employment, vocational evaluation and planning for post-secondary education or training.