Parental involvement is an evidence-based predictor of post-school employment (Test et al., 2009). Furthermore, the school system will fade out of picture at the age of 21, if not before. Depending on the services available, eligibility requirements, and waiting lists, adult service agencies might or might not be able to fill the role that the school once played.
“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.”
-Kofi Annan
Points of Connection
- Begin the transition discussion early with parents. If the conversation begins at age 16, valuable time and opportunities have been lost!
- Provide parents with a timeline of the transition process, highlighting when certain events will take place and who will be involved in the process.
- Help families to identify the ways in which they can be involved and invite them to contribute to the process.
- Provide training and learning opportunities that highlight transition-relevant state and federal laws and guidelines, as well as available parent-friendly resources.
- Alert families to available community resources given the student’s specific needs and employment goals (e.g., DDSN, Vocational Rehabilitation, LIFE Programs, REACH Program, Community Colleges)
- Emphasize the benefits of integrated, community employment (e.g., self-esteem, independence, socialization, and economic self-sufficiency).
Did you know?
Adults with moderate to severe disabilities worked more hours, earned higher wages, and lived more independently when their parents were moderately to highly involved in their transition planning process (Landmark et al., 2010).
SC Family Engagement Resource Highlight:
Get to Know Family Connection of South Carolina
Get to Know Family Connection of South Carolina
Family Engagement Resources
NTACT Transition Fair Toolkit
NTACT Transition Fair Toolkit
Transition Fair Webinar
Transition Fair Webinar
Family Engagement Work Group
Family Engagement Work Group
*Materials presented on this site are not intended in any way to be all-inclusive. It is intended to represent only a sampling of what is currently available. Reference to or use of any assessment product, service, or process does not imply recommendation, approval, affiliation, or sponsorship of that product, service, or process by the Center for Disability Resources, the Transition Alliance of SC, or our partnering agencies.