1. Beginning with the End in Mind: Building an 18+ Program ATS Adult Transition Services Pasadena Independent School District

2. What is ATS ? 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. 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 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. Where is ATS Located? 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.

5. ATS Transition Services Addressed Employment Education/Training Independent Living Community Education

6. ATS Employment 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. ATS Employment The ATS program focuses on the development of the student’s work related behaviors and skills. – 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

8. ATS Education/Training 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 Education - ATS supports students participating in local community college enrollment and connection to the Office of Disabilities.

9. ATS Education/Training ATS teaches skills needed to succeed in post secondary education, career exploration, apprenticeship training, and service learning/volunteering in the community. – 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

10. ATS Independent 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. ATS Related 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. ATS Community 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. 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 ATS Family Partnership

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

17. ATS On 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. ATS is 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 1 Day Hab – Rec & Leisure - Volunteer MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday OFFGoodwill 9am – 1pm Multipurpose Recreation Center 9am – 12pm Day Hab 9am – 3pm

29. ATS Schedule 2 Rec & Leisure - Employment MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday OFFChick-Fil-A 8:30am – 1pm Multipurpose Recreation Center 9am – 12pm Chick-Fil-A 8:30am – 1pm OFF

30. ATS Schedule 3 Continuing Education - Employment MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday Driver’s Ed Prep Pasadena Library 1pm – 3pm IT’z Pizza 11am-4pm OFFIT’z Pizza 11am-4pm

31. Exiting ATS

32. *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 WILLIAMS sawilliams@pasadenaisd.org CHRISTINA GUSHANAS cgushanas@pasadenaisd.org