Life After High School: What Happens Next?

A Transition Fair for Special Needs Students and Parents

in the School District of Waukesha

Liana Dombrowski

EDU 619 Collaboration and Transition-The School and Community

Viterbo University

What is the next step in my daughter or sons life? This is a question many parents of
students with disabilities and special needs dont have a simple answer for and in many
cases dont know where to go for help or never really knew it was available for them. In
an effort to create an awareness of the many resources available and provide parents
with the avenues of support so their son or daughter can reach their postsecondary
goals, I believe its in the best interest of the School District of Waukesha to create a
transition fair. This event will help students with disabilities, ages birth to 21, and their
families make connections to state, county, community resources and services that
assist with transition planning. This event will unite all students with disabilities, their
families, school staff, service providers, community members, and families within the
Waukesha School District to provide a continuity of services from birth to adulthood.
Parents and students need to be informed about the programs and services that are
available for them and need guidance with planning for transition from high school to the
adult world of work, post-secondary education and training, and independent living.
Currently, we dont have a resource of this mode in the Waukesha School District. There
are Transition Resource Fairs in the area within 15-25 miles; however, many parents
cannot find travel arrangements to those sites.
In efforts to fulfill the need in the area, I will create a proposal to the Waukesha School
District in support of sponsoring a Transition Fair within the city of Waukesha at a local
district school. I will gather resource ideas from attending the Transition Resource Fair
in the School District of Menomonee Falls on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 and
attending the Transition Resource Fair with CESA 1 in Pewaukee, WI on Tuesday, April
23, 2013. In addition, I will seek out informational support from a fellow colleague.

I will need to coordinate the following components.

1. Seek out school members who can assist with collaborating their skills and
Knowledge such as Special Education Teachers, School Counselor, School
Psychologist, School Social Worker, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services,
Student Services Coordinator, Visually Impaired Coordinator, and Special Education
Assistants.
2. Contact local and state-wide organizations and agencies to participate in the
Transition Fair.
3. Seek out speakers for each topic area of 20 minute Mini-seminars.
4. Gather volunteers for set-up and clean-up of the fair site.
5. Find High School Students (with references) who need volunteer hours to work in the
Free Child Care area.
6. Seek out Special Education Teachers to volunteer to assist students with special
needs that require extra supervision while their parents attend the transition fair and
mini-seminars.
7. Seek out teachers support to provide a resource so parents can sign up with their
students teacher or by contacting a Fair coordinator by phone or e-mail.
Preparations Prior to Attending the Transition Fair:
Prior to having parents and students attend the fair, students will be completing future
planning inventories/surveys to help discover their strengths, to find out what their
interests are, and to find out what their expectations and needs are for after high school.
Teachers can use WISCareers assessments of Quick Skills Search, Work Skills
Inventory, Work Values Checklist, Work Values Inventory, and Study Skills Inventories.
In addition, the Enderle-Severson Transition Rating Scale Form J-Revised, Casey Life
Skills Assessment, and BRIGANCE Transition Skills Inventory (TSI) are some other
options. These surveys will be completed in class by the students with the help of their
Special Education Teacher. Surveys for parents to complete will be sent home. Extra
resources can be found at the Transition Fair for parents who were unable to complete
surveys on their own.

Sample Flyer:

Life After High School: What Happens Next?

As graduation approaches for students with disabilities many parents begin worry about
what the future holds for their son or daughter. What is the next step after high school?
What financial support services can we receive? Where do I go for help? These
questions and many more can be answered by attending the School District of
Waukeshas FREE Transition Fair for Parents and their Students with Special Needs
held at North High School in the gymnasium on Saturday, April 13, 2013, from 8:30
a.m. to 3:00pm.
This FREE FAIR for students in MIDDLE SCHOOL and HIGH SCHOOL will provide
information on transition services at local and statewide levels and will include:
-Gain information from over 20 exhibitors
-Meet representatives from local and state-wide organizations and agencies
-Learn about school, employment options, recreation and leisure, community, and
independent living.
-Learn about post-secondary education and training opportunities
-Open computer lab to review the PTP (Postsecondary Transition plan) with staff
assistance
-Interpreter support for Hearing Impaired parents and students will be available
-Interpreters for Spanish-speaking parents and students will be available
-FREE lunch provided for parents who attend mini-seminars
-FREE child care or care for students with special needs that require extra
supervision to allow parents to attend
The Fair will be offering 20 minute mini-seminars to learn more about:

Transitioning from pediatric to adult

medical care
Health care insurance
Joining a 18-21 yr. old program
Going to college/technical school
Employment
Independent living needs
Recreation and socialization
Decision-making supports such as
signed releases or guardianship

SSI eligibility
Self-determination & Self-advocacy
DVR (Department of Vocational
Rehabilitation)
Employer Panel- discussion of the
skills/traits they seek in employees
YIPPE representative- Youth in
Partnership with Parents for
Empowerment

For more information or to sign-up contact: Max Schnell, Learning Disabilities Coordinator for the
Waukesha School District by calling 262-555-1818 or emailing at mschnell@waukesha.k12.wi.us
North High School Gymnasium on Saturday, April 13, 2013, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00pm

Bibliography
Kirsch, Marianne. (2013, February 25). Personal interview and Peer Review.
Transition Resource Fair, Making Connections For Now & The Future.
Retrieved February 23, 2013 from Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) #1
Website: http://www.cesa1.k12.wi.us/programs/transitionresourcefair/
Transition Resource Fair. Retrieved February 16, 2013 from
Menomonee Falls School District Website: http://www.sdmf.k12.wi.us/
WISCareers. (n.d.). WISCareers. Retrieved February 26, 2013 from
http://wiscareers.wisc.edu/C_ClientHome/home.asp
"Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.