Involving Parents in Transition Planning

Involving Parents in Transition Planning What Parents of Elementary Students Need to Know

Transition Issues for Parents Assumption of Time to Plan Later Lack of information about what is available Belief that the child will improve (no need for transition planning) Little or no participation in secondary IEP meetings Believe that services under IDEA will continue after high school

Transition Realities IDEA covers common education only ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) takes over ADA is a Civil Rights law rather than entitlement Individuals become their own guardian at age 18 Individuals must advocate for themselves

Transition Realities cont. If appropriate, parents must legally secure guardianship for adult child Career Tech schools and Colleges don’t accept individuals due to a disability Waiting list to receive services from state agencies Parents and Individuals must be pro active to choose and secure services

Getting Parents Involved from the Beginning Discussion of transition issues should begin in early elementary years The focus should be on DDSD services, In-Home Waivers, etc. Parents need to be informed about state services, etc. The IEP should be introduced to the child as early as possible (primary grades) Students should be taught early on that the IEP is a tool to assist in their success

Ideas for Encouraging Parent Involvement Information cards concerning DDSD Services Discuss with parents in the IEP meetings about the waiting list for services Hold community agency information nights during each school year Invite community agency reps to the IEP meetings Agency reps will become IEP team member Parents will become comfortable with the agency Encourage parent participation in the regional transition teams

Broken Arrow’s Process for Parent Involvement DDSD Information Cards printed and distributed to parents (IEP meetings, back to school nights, etc.) Community Agency Info Nights held twice per year (elementary students and parents) Parents are encouraged to get on waiting lists Focus on meetings: Community Services

BA Process ….cont. Meetings give opportunities for parents to develop working relationships with agency reps With involvement early on, parents will have a smoother transition process into post secondary training.

Community Agency Information Night Held in the fall and spring of the school year Focus on Community Services, waiting lists for In –Home Waivers, etc Teachers are involved in organizing the meetings Focus on parents of Elementary students

Community Agency Night cont. Parents are encouraged to bring their children Activities are available for the students during the meetings Refreshments are served Informal presentation with opportunity for question / answer session

Feedback from Parents Encouraged by the opportunity Many found it helpful Many discussed information with the agency reps after the meeting Parents asked if there would be additional follow up meetings in the future

Conclusion This will be offered two times in the coming school year Parents have become more open to plan ahead Parent participants have shown enthusiasm in having these meetings more often. Some have asked if they could attend the transition fair for secondary students

Involving Parents in Transition Planning