Unit VI:

Common Terms-Resources-Websites

Common Terms

• Age of Majority: In California the age is 18. It gives students the right to make their own decisions without parental consent or involvement. Under IDEIA 2004(P.L. 108-446) Section 614.(d)(1)(A)(i)(VIIIi)(cc) :

(cc) beginning at least one year before the child reaches the age of majority under State law, a statement that the child has been informed of his or her rights under this title, in any, that will transfer to the child on reaching the age of majority under section 615(m); ...

Section 615. Procedural Safeguards (m) Transfer of Parental Rights At Age of Majority-

(1) In General-- A State that receives amounts from a grant under this part may provide that, when a child with a disability reaches the age of majority under State law (except for a child with a disability who has been determined to be incompetent under State law)--

(A) the public agency shall provide any notice required by this section to both the individual and the parents;...

• Americans with Disability Act: A landmark civil rights bill that protects against discrimination to people with disabilities. ADA defines disability as a mental or physical condition that limits a "major life activity" such as walking, hearing, seeing or working. This bill addresses four main areas: employment, public facilities, transportation, and communication.

• Course of Study: In California this is your child's academic or functional curriculum. Under IDEIA 2004(P.L. 108-446) Section 614.(d)(1)(A)(VIII) Individualized Education Programs states:

beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16, and updated annually thereafter--...

(bb) the transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals;...

• IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Act: Formally known as P.L. 94-142, was signed in 1990 and defined Transition services as an outcome oriented process. Transition language was to be written into IEPs in the following areas:

  Instruction

  Community experiences

  Employment and other post-school adult living objectives

  Daily living skills

  Functional vocational evaluation
  

• IDEIA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (aka IDEA '04) continues to require Transition services language be written in each student's IEP. The goal of IDEA '04 is to improve post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities.

  Transition services, under IDEA '04 reinforces student-centered planning by focusing on the student's "...strengths, preferences, and interests..." when planning for the student's future.
  

• IEP: INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM- IDEIA 2004, Part A, Section 602 (14)The term 'individualized education program' or 'IEP' means a written statement for each child with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with...
  
  
• IEP Team: Education Code Section 56341(b) states, the individualized education program team shall include all of the following:

  (1) A representative other than the pupil's teacher designated by administration who may be an administrator, program specialist, or other specialist who is knowledgeable of program options...

  (2) The pupil's present teacher...

  (3) One or both of the pupil's parents, a representative selected by the parent, or both...

  (c) When appropriate, the team shall also include the following persons:

  (1) The individual with exceptional needs.

  (2) Other individuals, at the discretion of the parent, district, ...

  
  
• Interagencies: Agencies that provide services to children and adults with disabilities. Such agencies may include but are not limited to: Regional Centers, Social Security Administration, Regional Occupational Programs, Employment Development Department, Department of Rehabilitation, County Mental Health and Community Colleges.
  
  
• ITP: Individualized Transition Plan is a separate document from the IEP. Although Transition services language is required to be written in the IEP, an ITP is not mandated by law. Some districts write Transition goals within the existing IEP under a section called Transition Services. Other districts use an ITP that focuses only on Transition activities and attach this document to the IEP.
  
  
• Natural Supports: Mentoring systems/individuals within the child's community. These systems may be other family members, church, friends, teachers, etc.
  
  
• Post Secondary : Life after high school, that could mean employment, school, living arrangements, etc.
  
  
• P.L. 94-142 : The Education of all Handicapped Children mandated a free and appropriate education designed to meet the individual needs of all children with disabilities.
  
  
• Reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act: This is the reauthorization of IDEA and added related services to the coordinated set of activities as defined under Transition (IDEA 1990) and added additional requirements to Transition.
  
  
• Related Services:IDEIA 2004, Part A, Sec. 602(22)(A)- ...The term 'related services' means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services (including speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, social work services, school nurse services designed to enable a child with a disability to receive a free appropriate public education as described in the individualized education program of the child, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services, except that such medical services shall be for diagnostic and evaluation purposes only) as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling conditions in children.
  
  
• School to Work: Legislation that promoted development of Transition programs for all students. Funding was provided to promote statewide systems for school-to-work opportunities for all students.
  
  
• Self Determination: The ability to know one's own strengths and weaknesses and be able to advocate for one's own self.
  
  
• Transition Services: as defined in IDEIA 2004, Part A, Section 602 (34)(A)(B)(C)
  • (A) is designed to be within a results-oriented process, 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, including post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation:
  • (B) is based on the individual child's needs, taking into account the child's strengths, preferences, and interests; and
  • (C) includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and when appropriate, acquision of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

Resources

Publications

• Transition to Adult Living: An information and resource guide. To order a free copy mail your request to:

  CalSTAT
  California Institute on Human Services
  Attn: Transition Guide Request
  311 Professional Center Drive
  Rohnert Park, CA 94928

You, your child, and special education: A guide to making the system work. - Culter, B.C.(1993), Brookes

The Pro-Ed Series on Transition- Patton (1998), Pro-ed

Reach out and teach: Parent Handbook-Farrell (1985), American Foundation for the Blind

 

State Program Contacts

California Department of Education-Special Education Division 515 L Street, Suite 270 Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 327-3516

WorkAbility I

Bob Snowden, Consultant (916) 327-4221 e-mail: Rsnowden@cde.ca.gov

Dan Boomer, Consultant (916) 322-1852 e-mail: Dboomer@cde.ca.gov

WorkAbility II and the Transition Partnership Program

Linda Wyatt, Consultant (916) 327-0844 e-mail: LWyatt@cde.ca.gov

The Transition Partnership Program(TTP)

Department of Rehabilitation (916) 263-7495

Manager, Cooperative Programs Section Department of Rehabilitation (916) 263-8745

School to Career

California School to Career (STC) (916) 654-6138

School to Work Interagency Contacts:

California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office (916) 324-2348

Department of Developmental Services
(916) 654-1897

Department of Mental Health (916) 654-2309

Department of Rehabilitation (916) 263-8987

Department of Education, Special Education Division (916) 445-4729

Employment Development Department (916) 654-8210

School to Career Interagency Staff (916) 653-5512

California Governor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons (916) 654-8055

Social Security Administration 1(800) 772-1213

State Job Training Coordinating Council (JTPA) (916) 654-6836

 

STATE ORGANIZATIONS

Consumer/Parent/Family Coalition, Joan Kilburn (415) 388-6292

Parent Information Line Department of Education, Special Education Division 1(800) 434-2465

Association of Retarded Citizens-ARC: California
1-(800) 698-6619

Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) (916) 446-7961

California Alliance for the Mentally Ill (916) 567-0163

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (C.H.A.A.D.) (818) 339-2526

Epilepsy League (510) 893-6272

Family Support Network, California Chapter-Federation of Families - Mental Health (800) 934-9134

IMPACT (Deaf, Hard of Hearing) Gallaudet Regional Outreach Office (510) 659-6268

Learning Disabilities Association State Office (650) 341-6767

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. 1-(800) 776-5746 or (916) 488-9950

State Council of Developmental Disabilities (916) 322-8481 or (916) 324-8420 TDD

United Cerebral Palsy Association (916) 565-7700

Parent Training and Information Centers:

Disability Rights Education Defense Fund (DREDF) (510) 644-2555or (209) 229-2000

Matrix, A Parent Network and Resource Center (415) 499-3877


Parents Helping Parents (PHP) (408) 727-5775

Parents Helping Parents of San Francisco (415) 564-0722

Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) (714) 533-8275

Websites

Autism Society
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities: http://www.nichcy.org

National Center for Research in Vocational Education-UC Berkeley
http://ncrve.berkeley.edu

Parents Helping Parents
http://www.php.com

Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
http://www.pacer.org

LD Online: Transition Services in the IEP
http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/iep/ieppub.html

 

Student Centered Websites

http://www.jobsmart.org

http://www.cacareerzone.org/flash/index.html


 

Table of Contents- Overview- What Does Transition Mean?- What Do I Need to Know?- What Does my Child Need to Know?- Putting it All Together- Common Terms, Resources & Websites- DCN Home Page