Welcome to the USD #320 Special Services Transition website. My name is Suzette McGuire and I am the Transition Coordinator for the Special Education Cooperative. Many parents and students find themselves wondering what transition entails and what our program can offer to each individual student enrolled within the Special Education Cooperative. According to the vision of our cooperative, all youth and young adults with disabilities will successfully transition to the role of productive, participating, adult citizens. Youth will be empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice and have access to resources that promote participation in the communities of their choice.
The role of the transition coordinator is assisting students, teachers and families to develop a plan to meet the future post-secondary outcome goals of the student. Transition services begin in the I.E.P. the year in which a student turns fourteen years of age. Involvement may include student interest inventories, parent/guardian surveys, student interviews, and career assessments. Opportunities to explore possible educational and career fields as well as the requirements that accompany their desired post-secondary educational or career program will be considered. Some of the opportunities include college visits, work experiences, and job shadowing. The USD #320 transition program partners with several local businesses to provide our students with opportunities to gain real life experience prior to their transition to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.
Transition also assists in linking with local service providers including Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Developmental Disability Organizations and independent living centers that will help parents, guardians, and students utilize community resources to become adult citizens within our community.
I look forward to working with each of you as your student transitions from high school to post secondary education, employment, and independent living. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 785-456-2214 x5050 or email me at mcguires@usd320.com.