What are Employment and Transition Services?

Transition services are mandated through Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to address all areas related to successful entry and participation in adult life. Transition services includes a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities. Transition services are defined as instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation. [34 CFR 300.43 (a)] [20 U.S.C. 1401(34)]

Employment and Transition Representatives (ETRs) offer instruction, community experiences, employment supports, and transition assessment to promote career and college readiness in accordance with IDEA and the district’s Portrait of a Graduate initiative. ETRs are assigned to all FCPS high schools, secondary special education centers and some of the nontraditional school programs. ETR support is given to students who have been found eligible for special education services and whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) team has determined that this level of support would benefit the student either on an intermittent basis or a more intensive, ongoing basis. Identifying employment and transition service needs often begins with a conversation with the student, the student’s parents, and school personnel about the student’s education, career and adult living goals. Services and support are then determined by the IEP team and are individualized based upon those needs. Although emphasis is given to juniors and seniors, freshman and sophomores may also receive this support.

Transition services may include:

• developing business partnerships for work-based learning
• monitoring students on community worksites
• providing instruction on self-advocacy, goal setting, understanding disability and accommodations, course options, postsecondary services and accommodations, career pathways, information about IDEA and the Americans with Disabilities Act
• providing training to teachers and parents on transition topics and the transition IEP process
• completing referrals to FCPS classes and programs including academies and career assessment
• completing referrals to adult agencies for postsecondary support

Employment Services include:

• resume development
• providing job leads
• job application assistance
• interview preparation
• job site development, placement, and maintenance for students participating in specific course electives
• coordinating transportation to work sites; assistance with public transportation route information
• submitting job coach referrals

For more information about employment and transition services, contact Career and Transition Services at 571-423-4150.