Student Programs/Schools

STUDENT TRANSITION
NAVIGATING POSSIBILITIES

Approved CT State Department of Education Bureau of
Special Education Transition Vocational Program.

School Transition Programs: Effective and meaningful transition services are the product of careful planning.

Planning is driven by a young person’s dreams, desires, and abilities. It builds a youth’s participation in:

  • School
  • Home
  • Community living
  • Preparing them for their futures
  • Developing skills they need to go to other education program after high school

It builds skills to live, work, and participate in community activities and subsequently independence.

 

“You are who you choose to be”
The Iron Giant

Youth learn how to make adult decisions when they participate in transition experiences.

Vocational activities take place in the community at work sites and other locations with the goal of helping young adults acquire the skills necessary to secure and maintain community connections and take steps towards employment and success after they leave school.

Daily living, academic, budgeting, and life skills are an integral part of working in the adult world. Many of these activities take place at The Center.

Participants learn to ride public transportation, budget earnings, follow directions, work on executive function skills and more.

Social and communication opportunities are incorporated in student programming.

Approach:

  • Collaboration – Collective approach between schools, parents, and student before and during transition.
  • Relationships – Provides connections with caring adults, peers and community supports.
  • Identification – Recognizing students who could be at-risk and connecting with adult service providers.
  • Having a rigorous plan for providing relentless support.

Develop a “failure is not an option” motto.

 

 

Services Provided: Each student’s program is specifically tailored to their needs and goals.

  • Pre-Vocational – Resumes, cover letters, mock interviewing, interest inventories, proper attire, and expected workplace behavior.
  • Employment - Career exploration, internships paid and unpaid, volunteer opportunities, job shadowing and full or part time work. Job coaching varying from full support to check-ins.
  • Personal Support - 1:1 mentor, referrals to clinicians if needed, assist with accessing state services if applicable.
  • Transportation – Travel training, DMV permit tutoring, pick up and drop off service available.
  • Health and Wellness – Nutrition, mindfulness technique training, personal hygiene, laundry, food shopping.
  • Recreation and Leisure Activities – Sports and recreational activities, book club, art classes, field trips to sports and art events.
  • Post-Secondary Education - Staff will assist in exploring Community Colleges, Vocational Technical Schools, and Universities.
  • Eligible students may take advantage of TransitionCT's partnership with Sacred Heart University and earn college credits. College courses will be held at the SHU campus and TransitionCT staff will assist in acclimatizing to campus resources. (Library, learning center resources, etc.). 

Post Graduate/Gap Year Internship Programs

The Internship Program is available for students who have completed their senior year of high school and want to explore and evaluate various career fields or academic programs to assist in decision making towards next steps in planning their futures. The program is vocationally based and components include: Career exploration, Prevocational Skills, Interview Preparedness/Resume, Community Work Experiences with a 1:1 Vocational Coach working towards independent employment, as well as Post Graduate Academic or Trade program exploration along with individualized life skills and/or a college readiness component.

 

Extended School Year (ESY):

School district goals will be incorporated in planning each student’s individualized program. Vocational, daily living skills and social activities will take place in the community at work sites, at the TransitionCT campus and other locations. The summer program components include: Career exploration, Prevocational Skills, Interview Preparedness/Resume, Community Work Experiences with a 1:1 Vocational Coach, life skills and social skills, Time Management, Money Management, Self-Advocacy skills, Social and recreation skills, Problem solving and Transportation.  All transition, academic, and social activities are interconnected and delivered through collaboration of experienced facilitators so that real-life, hands-on experiences are meaningful across all settings.

 

The smallest change in perspective can transform a life. What tiny attitude adjustment might turn your world around?

Oprah