A few helpful hints

Hi Everyone!

 I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break and that the black Friday sales treated you well! :-) 

Over the past few weeks, I have been going through transition plans at various high schools and found that there are a few common mistakes that are easily avoidable, so I thought I would put together a little post to address the most common ones. In addition, on the right hand side I posted a Transition Checklist, that will help you double check that your plan is legally compliant. So with out further ado, here is a list of the common mistakes:

1. On the first page of the transition plan, make sure your transition goals are MEASURABLE. In the area of instruction, they should read:

Upon High School graduation the student WILL ATTEND ____________ full time/part time.

The language "plans on", "might" and "thinks: is NOT measurable and is not legally compliant.

2. If you list an assessment in the Assessment section, make sure you address the results in the summary section. These results should be data driven and should not include opinions and or speculation.

3. In the student strengths preferences area, please list what you know about the student that will make them successful in their chosen career or instructional goals. This is where observations and opinions can be listed. Make sure you write relevant and specific data to that student.

4. On page two of the transition plan, make sure you restate the students instructional and employment goal in the student needs section. Basically, you are just stating WHY you are working on the linked goal in relation to their transition goal. (FOR EXAMPLE:  The student will need to improve their reading comprehension skills to be successful at Joliet Junior College)

5. Make sure you LINK YOUR GOALS!!!

6. The course of study now only has to include the REMAINING years of school, but it has to be SPECIFIC to the student and can not be a general course of study. 

7. Make sure you attach your your permission form to invite an agency and most importantly, make sure YOU INVITE AN AGENCY! :-)

As always, if you have any other questions, please contact me!!

I hope you all have an excellent start to your holiday season!

Take Care! 

Career Solutions

Spotlight on:

CORNERSTONE

Career Solutions

What do they do?!

Cornerstone career solutions is an agency that will help develop jobs for students once they graduate from our programs. They will help with resumes. finding jobs, filling out job applications, and ,when deemed appropriate, supply a job coach.

How do I qualify?

Most students with an IEP will qualify for some or all of their services. DHS decides whom and what to fund.

How do I get started?

To get started, you will need to speak with an intake coordinator at the Employment Service Center. Call 815-727-6667, and tell them that you would like to set up an intake meeting. They will then set up a date for you to go to the Cornerstone office in Joliet OR they can come meet with you in your home town if you arrange it. 

What happens then?

When you have your meeting with Cornerstone, you will need to have an IEP, your most recent eligibility testing, a school or state ID and your Social Security CARD (not just the number). They will ask you some questions about what you like and what you see yourself doing. Once you have your meeting with Cornerstone, they determine what services you may or may not be eligible for.

If you have any questions about Cornerstone and what they do, or if you need help contacting them, please do not hesitate to contact your friendly Transition Coordinator

815-942-5780.