Beginning with the End in Mind: Building an 18+ Program

1. Beginning with the End in Mind: Building an 18+ Program ATSAdult Transition ServicesPasadena Independent School District

2. What is ATS ? ATS allows students to begin transitioning into adult life activities in the community while having the support of the school system. ATS is a community based program that uses the community as an extension to facilitate the transition to adult life. The Pasadena ISD Adult Transition Services Program (ATS) is a researched based 18+ community transition program that assists students with disabilities in moving from high school to adult life. The main objective is to support students as they transition into the adult life they will be living after they leave the ATS program. The last day of ATS should mirror the first day of adult life.

3. What is ATS ?

4. ATS is a community based program that uses the community as an extension of the classroom which facilitates the transition to adult life. Locations include: Day Habilitation Recreation & Leisure sites Volunteer sites Employment sites Post secondary education The specific locations where the instruction occurs and the supports needed are based on the individual needs of the adult student’s IEP. ATS staff collaborate with adult students and their families to develop goals which is designed to implemented in the community. Where is ATS located?

5. ATSTransition Services Addressed • Employment • Education/Training • Independent Living • Community Education

6. ATSEmployment ATS students can enter independent employment or supported employment. Independent Employment - the traditional model in which a person obtains a job and requires minimal or no support. Supported Employment - when another person helps find and secure the job, and a job coach teaches on the job skills to the individual with disability. It is a process and the job coach will fade from the job site until the individual is independent or the support is replaced with a co-worker or agency support.

7. ATSEmployment • Job searching • Application • Interviewing • Work etiquette • Maintaining a residence • Self determination • Taking breaks - Task completion • Endurance • Dressing for work • Personal grooming • Hygiene • Social skills in work setting • Support system at work The ATS program focuses on the development of the student’s work related behaviors and skills.

8. ATSEducation/Training Education - ATS supports students participating in local community college enrollment and connection to the Office of Disabilities. Training - It is the goal of ATS to work with students and their families to acquire paid employment. If the desire of the student and family not to find paid employment then the ATS staff will help the family identify what they want their adult life to look like after graduation. While some students enter ATS program employed, others have participated in community based vocational instruction (CBVI) classes and have not been competitively employed or have lost or quit their job. ATS make every effort to work with the student and their parent/guardian to find competitive employment

9. ATSEducation/Training • Self advocacy • Organizational skills • Time management • Schedule changes • Applications for continuing education and community college courses • Applications for financial aide and scholarships • Developing support system • Adult agency connection • Interpersonal skills • Following directions • Assignment/task completion • Developing support system ATS teaches skills needed to succeed in post secondary education, career exploration, apprenticeship training, and service learning/volunteering in the community.

10. ATSIndependent Living • Preparing meals • Budgeting • Paying bills • Maintaining a residence • Raising a family • Caring for clothing • Personal grooming • Hygiene skills • Social skills within the community • Register to vote • Accessing medical services • Accessing adult services such as social security ATS prepares students for independent living skills that are needed daily or occasionally:

11. ATSRelated Services Related services are provided by Pasadena ISD Related Service staff in the community setting to ensure continuation of these services beyond high school. Related Services for ATS students have included: Visual Impaired Services Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy

12. ATSCommunity Education • Travel training • Pedestrian safety • Metro systems • Obtaining drivers license/state ID • Taxis • Carpool • Personal grooming • Hygiene skills • Social skills within the community • Register to vote • Accessing medical services • Accessing adult services such as social security ATS prepares students for community education skills that are needed daily or occasionally:

13. ATSFamily Partnership Parents and family members are a vital part of ATS School districts and parents work together to help students with disabilities transition into adult life. • Encouragement, support and guidance • Network for job leads • Financial support • Connection with community agencies • Monitoring of health and safety • Support of self-determination for the adult • Provide opportunities for students to explore interests and learning activities • Provide transportation

14. How do I start this program in my district?

15. Target Student -Criteria for Joining ATS • Must be between the ages of 18-21 • Currently attending a Pasadena ISD school • Have a current Individual Education Plan (IEP) • Have completed all high school credits • Seeking support in skills necessary for transitioning to adult life • Typically participates in functional and/or social skills curriculum

16. The ATSTeachers • Important qualities to look for when recruiting ATS candidates • Creativity • Problem solving • Compassion/Excitement • Classroom teacher is not always the best fit • 1stsemester research & development • Develop district guidelines and procedures • Develop/locate vocational assessment tools • Visit other 18+ programs

17. ATSOn Going Support • ATS Retreat • Beginning of each year • ATS Monthly Checklist • Bi Monthly Meetings with Supervisor • Fade to 1 meeting per month • Conferences, Seminars, & Region IV Trainings

24. ATS Growth in Staff and Students

25. A day in the life of an ATS student…

26. ATS Students • A typical ATS student participates 2-5 days per week for 2-6 hours each day • Transportation provided by natural supports • Public Transportation • Walking • Parent, family member or friend • Car pooling • Riding bicycle • Job coach is at job site to support student and gradually begins to fade his/her presence (on an individual basis) OR is replaced with natural/agency supports

27. ATSis Individualized!May include any combination of the following settings • Day Habilitation • Recreation & Leisure • Volunteer • Employment • Continuing Education Courses • Community College Prep • Technical or Associate’s Degree

28. ATS Schedule 1Day Hab – Rec & Leisure - Volunteer

29. ATS Schedule 2Rec & Leisure - Employment

30. ATS Schedule 3Continuing Education - Employment

31. Exiting ATS

32. ExitingATS *The last day of ATS should mirror the first day of adult life* • Aging Out • Student turns 22 prior to next school year • The last semester ATS fades support • Using indirect support, the final 6 weeks is spent ensuring student mastery of their schedule • Mastered ATS Goals & Objectives • Student is successfully participating in his/her adult life without ATS support

33. Exit by Mastering Goals & Objectives Student is successfully participating in his/her adult life without ATS support Participation includes one or a combination of the following: • Day Habilitation • Recreation & Leisure • Volunteer • Employment • Continuing Education Courses • Community College Prep • Technical or Associate’s Degree

34. Successful, SUSTAINABLE, Post-Secondary Transition

35. ATS Thanks…Dr. Vicki Mitchell with Mitchell-Panter Consulting, LLC for the collaboration, support and guidance in making our program a success!

36. adult transition specialists: Sara Williamssawilliams@pasadenaisd.org CHRISTINA Gushanascgushanas@pasadenaisd.org