Transition Sliver Grant Profiles

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District: Farmington Public Schools

Project Title:    Challenging Adventures

Description of Project: 

Challenging Adventures is a program designed to help at-risk students meet with success in the Farmington High School Community.  Students were selected through teacher recommendations, grades, attendance, and discipline records.  Those selected are involved in a yearlong project, which includes outdoor education (Adventure Challenge), mentoring, web designing, and a final project where they will design their own outdoor education activity.

Our goals for this program are to help students improve their academic performance, and behavior, attendance, establish and maintain positive social connections within the community and see significant changes in their self-image

Mentors will be involved in selecting courses that will align with their career or post-secondary interests.

Targeted student population: At-risk & IDEA students

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• □            Vocational Assessments
• □            Situational Assessments
• □          Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• X            Mentoring
• □            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• □          In-School Transition Curricula –
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• □            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• X            Connecting to School to Career
• X            Extracurricular Activities
• □            Interagency Collaboration
• □          Parent Training
• □          Other –                       

Project Contact:            Nancy Furniss, Beth Nigro              

Address:                     Farmington High School

                                    10 Monteith Drive,

Farmington, CT 06010                                   

Phone Number:            860-673-2514

Email Address:            furnissn@fpsct.org, nigrob@fpsct.org

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District:                East Granby, Suffield, and Granby Public Schools

Project Title:  Enhancing Transition Programs for Secondary Students with Disabilities

Description of Project:

1.   The grant provides for a part-time intra-district Transition Services Coordinator.  This      position is responsible for assisting in the establishment of work sites; creating student       career portfolios; and establishing consistent, streamlined steps for the transition process       within the districts.

2.   In addition, this position is responsible for developing a mentorship program for high school students with disabilities and successful college students with disabilities through partnerships with local universities/colleges.  This mentorship program focuses on self-advocacy, transition process and experience, accessing campus resources and support, as well as accessing available community support.

3.   The last component involves parent networking and informational workshops for both     parents and students.  The workshops/meetings are aimed at providing information on the transition process; available services and supports/state and local agencies; as well as provide networking opportunities for parents. 

Targeted student population: Special education & “at risk” grades 9-12       

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• □            Vocational Assessments
• □            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X            Mentoring
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• □            Extracurricular Activities
• □            Interagency Collaboration
• X         Parent Training

Project Contact:            Carrie Hannon            (Transition Services Coordinator)                           

Address:                     33 Turkey Hills Rd.  PO Box 674 East Granby, CT 06026      

Attn: Pupil Services        *OR*       

Suffield Board of Education, 350 Mountain Rd Suffield, CT 06078 attn: Pupil Services                                                       

Phone Number:        (860) 930-0381

East Granby: (860) 413-9079

Suffield:(860) 668-3806

Email Address:            JPH357@attbi.com

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District:            Madison Public Schools

Project Title:            Enhancing Transition Programs for Secondary Students with

                        Disabilities

Description of Project:

A transition specialist was hired to begin a comprehensive transition program for high school special education students. Included in this program are: transition curriculum; family/business/school advisory board; job shadowing opportunities; field trips; and internships.

Targeted student population:             All special education high school students

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• X            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• □            Mentoring
• □            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• X         In-School Transition Curricula - Please specify areas: Building a Bridge
• □          Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• □            Connecting to School to Career
• □            Extracurricular Activities
• X            Interagency Collaboration
• X         Parent Training
• □          Other -

Project Contact:               Pam Rottier

Address:                     Daniel Hand High School

                                    302 Green Hill Rd.

                                    Madison, CT 06443

Phone Number:             203-453-1215

Email Address:            rottierp@madison.k12.ct.us

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District:            Monroe Public Schools

Project Title:            Enhancing Transition Programs for Secondary Students with Disabilities

Description of Project:

A Transition Counselor was hired to revise/develop/carry out baseline, assessment procedures of skills, abilities, and interests of the targeted students, collaborate with special education department to promote student independence and self advocacy, encourage family participation and enhance transition services for high school students identified. Transition Counselor will serve as the key person linking students to post secondary education, employment opportunities, and to community resources.

Targeted student population: Students identified by Planning and Placement Team as having learning difficulties, emotional/social issues, or attention problems who require special education services and needing assistance in transitioning to post secondary education, employment, and/or school to community.

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• □            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• □          Career Planning
• □            Mentoring
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• □          In-School Transition Curricula –
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• X            Connecting to School to Career
• □            Extracurricular Activities
• □            Interagency Collaboration
• X         Parent Training
• □          Other –

Project Contact:            Oneita Alarcon

Address:                     375 Monroe Turnpike

                                    Monroe, CT  06468

Phone Number:            (203) 452-6509

Email Address:            alarco@monroe.k12.ct.us

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District:              Naugatuck Public Schools

Project Title:     Transition for Secondary Students

Description of Project: 

This grant enabled Naugatuck to hire one FTE special education teacher to teach 2 courses at the high school.  The courses are titled “Career Portfolio I” and “Career Portfolio II” and are open to students with a diagnosis Intellectual Disability, Emotional Disturbance, and Learning Disability.  The intent of these courses is to focus on School to Career/Post Secondary Education and Personal/Community Skills.  Students are experiencing the opportunity to explore the available resources within the community.  To do this, the teacher reserves one day a week for field trips and related community/parent outreach.  Each section of the course is leveled to meet the specific skills and needs of the students involved.  Students are creating a portfolio to showcase their community and career learning, experiences and successes, as well as learning skills to be successful at work or school.  Students are learning how to advocate for their needs in both a career and post-secondary educational setting.  A series of evening workshops will be held to disseminate information about resources available to assist parents in the transition process.

The following objectives are being addressed:

• Increasing self-advocacy skills
• Completion of two school courses
• Developing a career portfolio
• Accessing community recreation/leisure, independent living, employment or post-secondary activities
• Parent workshops

Targeted student population:             High School juniors and seniors or those between the ages of 18-21 identified as special needs students

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• □            Vocational Assessments
• □            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• □            Mentoring
• □            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• X         In-School Transition Curricula – Please specify areas: job ethics, resume writing, interviewing skills, banking, leisure activities, etc.
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• X            Connecting to School to Career
• □            Extracurricular Activities
• X            Interagency Collaboration
• X         Parent Training

Project Contact:            Janice Saam, Director of Special Services

Address:                     380 Church Street

                                    Naugatuck, CT 06770

Phone Number:            (203) 720-5265

Email Address:            saamj@naugy.net

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District:            New Fairfield Public Schools

Project Title:            Enhancing Transition Programs for Secondary Students with Disabilities

Description of Project:

A community worksite has been established where secondary students with disabilities can be trained to work with typical peers.  They receive on site training and follow up skills training in their classrooms. Students are transported to Super Food Mart in Danbury three times per week, assisted by special education staff and supervised by store and school personnel.

Targeted student population: All secondary students with disabilities

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• □            Situational Assessments
• □          Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• □            Mentoring
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• □          In-School Transition Curricula –
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• X            Connecting to School to Career
• □            Extracurricular Activities
• X            Interagency Collaboration
• □          Parent Training
• □          Other –

Project Contact:            Daria Rockholz

Address:                     New Fairfield Public Schools

                                    3 Brush Hill Rd.

                                    New Fairfield, CT  06812

Phone Number:            (203) 312-5964

Email Address:            DRockholz@aol.com

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District:            Newington Public Schools

Project Title:            Transition Learning Center Program

Description of Project: 

The Transition Learning Center (TLC) Program is designed to enroll seven to nine students ages 16 and older with severe learning and intellectual disabilities. These students will be enrolled in an eight period day. TLC is designed to take place during four of the eight periods. Periods one, two and three will enroll students in special education and regular education courses. Period five is lunch. The TLC Program is offered periods four, six, seven and eight. Each student will have the opportunity to earn three credits towards their diploma/certificate. Academic (2 credits), transition (1 credit) with the possibility of a work-study credit related to job placement.  The TLC consists of an academic classroom and a transition-learning laboratory. The TLC lab offers a fully equipped/furnished apartment-like setting.

Targeted student population: Students with severe learning, intellectual and physical disabilities, ages 16-21.

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• X            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• X            Mentoring
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• X         In-School Transition Curricula – Please specify areas: reading, math, written language, daily living skills, personal finance management, social etiquette, career exploration, vocational preparation.
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• □            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• X            Connecting to School to Career
• X            Extracurricular Activities
• X            Interagency Collaboration
• X         Parent Training

Project Contact:            Dena Tompkins

Address:                     Newington High School

                                    605 Willard Ave.

                                    Newington, CT  06111           

Phone Number:            (860) 666-5611, Ext. 259

Email Address:            dtompkins@newington-schools.org

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District:            Norwich Public Schools/Norwich Free Academy

Project Title:            Enhancing Transition Programs for Secondary Students with Disabilities

Description of Project:

The project is designed to enhance the Alternative Curriculum for Educational Success (ACES) program, a self-contained SED unit. In conjunction with Reliance House, a community mental health services provider, and BRS, NFA faculty and staff will learn how to perform situational assessments and will complete situational assessments with 10 ACES students. Increasing the amount of data collected on potential interventions needed in the work place will aid in successful transition to adult services and adult life. This information will be used when a cross-trained instructional assistant/job coach goes into the work place to implement interventions to assist students to achieve a higher rate of employment success. Finally, career portfolios will be created with students in the ACES Career Education and Life Skills classes.  Another tandem activity with Reliance House and BRS is continuing education for NFA faculty/staff on topics relating to better understanding the expectations of adult services and rehabilitation goals.

Targeted student population:  Students with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED)

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• X            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• □            Mentoring
• □            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• X         In-School Transition Curricula – Please specify areas: Career Development
• □          Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• □            Connecting to School to Career
• □            Extracurricular Activities
• X            Interagency Collaboration
• □          Parent Training
• X         Other – Please specify: Special ed faculty/staff training to increase understanding of adult mental health services and look at ways to build a more effective transition from secondary education to adult services.

Project Contact:            Connie J. Laurinat, Transition Coordinator

Address:                     Norwich Free Academy, 305 Broadway, Norwich, CT  06360

Phone:                         (860) 887-2505 ext. 276 

Email Address:            laurinatc@norwichfreeacademy.com

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District:                      Putnam Public Schools 

Project Title:              Enhancing Transition Programs for Students with Disabilities

Description of Project:

Develop and implement community vocational and situational assessments to prepare students with disabilities for comprehensive training programs with business and industry, as is individually appropriate to the ID, SED or LD of the students.

Targeted student population:     Student with ID,SED,LD

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• X            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• X            Mentoring
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• □          In-School Transition Curricula –
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• X            Connecting to School to Career
• X            Extracurricular Activities
• X            Interagency Collaboration
• □          Parent Training
• □          Other –

Project Contact:            Brenda J. Verdone – School-to-Career Coordinator

Address:                     Putnam High School

152 Woodstock Avenue

                                    Putnam, CT  06260

Phone Number:            (860) 963-6905

Email Address:            verdoneb@putnam.k12.ct.us

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District:                      Shelton Public Schools

Project Title:              High School – High Tech

Description of Project: 

High School-High Tech is a community-based partnership of parents, educators, rehabilitation professionals and business representatives. The purpose of High School-High Tech is to encourage students with disabilities to explore career opportunities in the fields of science, engineering and technology. Job Internships and Mentoring are a vital part of the program.

Targeted student population: Students with disabilities, Grades 9-12

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• □            Vocational Assessments
• □            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• X            Mentoring
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• □          In-School Transition Curricula –
• □          Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• X            Connecting to School to Career
• X            Extracurricular Activities
• X            Interagency Collaboration
• □          Parent Training
• □          Other – Please specify:  Interest Inventories

Project Contact:            Mary Bruno, Director of Special Education

Address:                     Shelton Public Schools

                                    124 Meadow St.

                        Shelton, CT  06484

Phone Number:            (203) 924-1023, Ext. 318

Email Address:            mbruno@sheltonpublicschools.org

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District:                      South Windsor Public Schools

Project Title:              Career Planning Seminar

Description of Project: 

Special Education students, sophomores/juniors who have given very little thought to life after high school. These are students with low average abilities. These students will complete the career planning process by participating in classroom instruction and community-based internships.

Targeted student population: Special Education students, grades 10 and 11 with low average abilities

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• X            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• □            Mentoring
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• □          In-School Transition Curricula –
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• □            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• X            Connecting to School to Career
• □            Extracurricular Activities
• □            Interagency Collaboration
• □          Parent Training
• □          Other – Please specify:  Goal Writing

Project Contact:            Carol Stocks Prandy

Address:                     South Windsor High School

                                    161 Nevers Rd.

                                    South Windsor, CT  06074

Phone Number:            (860) 648-5000

Email Address:            csp@swindsor.k12.ct.us

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District:            Regional School District #1

Project Title:            Enhancing Transition Programs for Secondary Students with Disabilities

Description of Project: 

This project is to enhance our existing transition program at Housatonic Valley Regional High school by providing an additional person to provide increased opportunities for students with disabilities to experience jobs, postsecondary education, and activities within the community.

Targeted student population: Students in grades 9 - 12

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• □            Situational Assessments
• □          Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning 
• X            Mentoring 
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities 
• X         In-School Transition Curricula – Please specify areas: study skills, time management, organization skills
• X         Self-Advocacy Training 
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education 
• X            Connecting to School to Career 
• X            Extracurricular Activities 
• X            Interagency Collaboration 
• X         Parent Training 
• □          Other –

Project Contact:            Theresa Terry and Eve Schatz

Address:                     RSD #1

236 Warren Turnpike Rd.

                                    Falls Village, CT  06031

Phone Number:            860-824-5639

Email Address:            tmterry2002@yahoo.com

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District:                      Cromwell Public Schools and Regional School District #13

Project Title:              Enhancing Transition Programs for Students with Disabilities

Description of Project:

This project is designed to provide students with moderate to severe disabilities work experiences in an environment with age appropriate peers.  The Region #13 and Cromwell school districts requested funds to expand the transition program to develop a partnership with Wesleyan University to design work experiences on campus and offer peer mentors to help students develop the social skills needed for employment.  The project also teaches students to use public transportation to travel from their home to school and to work.  Project activities enable parents and students to gain information about adult services and design an appropriate transition plan.  As a result of this project, students demonstrate the ability to express their personal strengths, challenges and interests and ability to make informed life choices regarding career options.  This information is incorporated into the Individual Education Plan.

Targeted student population: High School students with moderate to severe disabilities

Transition Components included in this project (Check all that apply):

• X            Vocational Assessments
• X            Situational Assessments
• X         Career Portfolios
• X         Career Planning
• X            Mentoring
• X            Continuum of Community-Based Training Opportunities
• X         In-School Transition Curricula – Please specify areas: Self Advocacy
• X         Self-Advocacy Training
• X            Planning for the Transition to Postsecondary Education
• □            Connecting to School to Career
• X            Extracurricular Activities
• X            Interagency Collaboration
• X         Parent Training

Project Contact:            Ann Mallin

Address:                     Coginchaug High School             

135 Pickett Lane

Durham, CT 06422

Phone Number:            860-349-7110

Email Address:            ANNMWCT@aol.com

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