Benedictine Transition Services
Benedictine's Transition Services are designed to ensure that our students are able to move successfully from school to adult life. Beginning at age 14, all of our students have a "Transition Plan" component added to their IEP, which addresses the services that each child will need in order to attain their greatest level of independence upon completion of their schooling. Benedictine's Transition Coordinators work with the student, his/her parents or guardians, teachers, counselors, vocational supervisors and public and private agencies.
Students are involved, as much as they are able, in the development of their IEP and Transitioning Planning. Their program is designed to assure training and education in vocational skills, social and emotional needs, independent living skills, communication, recreation and leisure, community integration medical needs, self advocacy and financial planning. Again, each student is involved to the degree of which s/he is able.
We work with students who are transitioning back to their home county/school to ensure that the home school is fully aware of the student's unique needs and support services s/he will require. The Transition Coordinator works with the student's current teachers, counselors and therapists and with personnel from the home county to help ensure a smooth transition.
A critical part of our Transition Services involves linkage with adult funding agencies and adult service providers. The vast majority of our students will require continued supports after their graduation from school. The Transition Coordinator works to ensure that the student and/or their parents/guardians are aware of the various support options, and to assist families with accessing these options.
For those students graduating from The Benedictine School, the Transition Department works closely with parents/guardians and the student to help identify and secure placement with appropriate adult service providers.
A very high percentage of our graduates are successful at accessing the adult support services that they will require in order to continue their journey of becoming as happy, self-sufficient and gainfully employed as they are able to be.
Benedictine's Transition-Vocational Department strives to educate parents regarding all of the issues and decision -making that needs to go into planning for their child's future. Our staff provides mini-in-services/meetings with parents regarding current issues in transitioning. In addition, we access experts in certain areas and host seminars/workshops for parents who need information and guidance in preparing for their child's future.
Finally, collaboration with all staff is an essential part of our transition planning, Team planning and implementation of all aspects of each child's program is critical in helping each child become prepared for a successful transition to adulthood.