Solano County Office of Education

Student Transitions

TRANSITIONING WITH SUCCESS

Children and young adults with disabilities require unique planning to create successful transitions from one life stage to another. Planning for transition is embedded in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.

What Parents Can Expect

IFSP/IEP meetings will occur prior to your child's transition to create an opportunity to:

discuss needed supports
meet your child's receiving team
request a tour of the determined program
invite agency representatives (i.e North Bay Regional Center, or Department of Rehab)

How do I prepare my child for a successful transition?

Communicating about your child and your goals is a helpful way to help your team get a clear understanding to start with. This Goal Setting Worksheet is a tools that can help communication.

DO YOU NEED SUPPORT FOR AN UPCOMING TRANSITION?

Newborn to 35 months

Ilah Feeney, Program Administrator for Special Education

Irene Larsen Center
1707 California Drive
Vacaville, CA 95687

Phone: (707) 646-7651

E-mail: ifeeney@solanocoe.net

Benicia Area

Pamela Brinkerhoff, Program Administrator for Special Education

T. C. McDaniel Center
1895 Woolner Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533

Phone: (707) 646-7620
Fax: (707) 422-4315

E-mail: pbrinkerhoff@solanocoe.net

Dixon Area

Deana Vanderhoof, Program Administrator for Special Education

Irene Larsen Center
1707 California Drive
Vacaville, CA 95687

Phone: (707) 646-7679
Fax: (707) 452-0836

E-mail: dvanderhoof@solanocoe.net

Fairfield Area

PreK- Middle SchoolHigh School- Age 22

Pamela Brinkerhoff, Program Administrator for Special Education

T. C. McDaniel Center
1895 Woolner Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533

Phone: (707) 646-7620
Fax: (707) 422-4315

E-mail: pbrinkerhoff@solanocoe.net

Sarah Zils, Program Administrator for Special Education

Golden Hills Education Center, Building 1
2460 Clay Bank Road
Fairfield, CA 94533

Phone: (707) 399-4859
Fax: (707) 428-7221

E-mail: szils@solanocoe.net

Travis Area

Vacaville BoundariesFairfield Boundaries

Ilah Feeney, Program Administrator for Special Education Irene Larsen Center 1707 California Drive Vacaville, CA 95687 Phone: (707) 646-7651 E-mail: ifeeney@solanocoe.net	Pamela Brinkerhoff, Program Administrator for Special Education T. C. McDaniel Center 1895 Woolner Avenue Fairfield, CA 94533 Phone: (707) 646-7620 Fax: (707) 422-4315 E-mail: pbrinkerhoff@solanocoe.net
Deana Vanderhoof, Program Administrator for Special Education Irene Larsen Center 1707 California Drive Vacaville, CA 95687 Phone: (707) 646-7679 Fax: (707) 452-0836 E-mail: dvanderhoof@solanocoe.net	Sarah Zils, Program Administrator for Special Education Golden Hills Education Center, Building 1 2460 Clay Bank Road Fairfield, CA 94533 Phone: (707) 399-4859 Fax: (707) 428-7221 E-mail: szils@solanocoe.net

Vacaville Area

PreK- Middle SchoolHigh School- Agee 22

Ilah Feeney, Program Administrator for Special Education

Irene Larsen Center
1707 California Drive
Vacaville, CA 95687

Phone: (707) 646-7651

E-mail: ifeeney@solanocoe.net

Deana Vanderhoof, Program Administrator for Special Education

Irene Larsen Center
1707 California Drive
Vacaville, CA 95687

Phone: (707) 646-7679
Fax: (707) 452-0836

E-mail: dvanderhoof@solanocoe.net

TRANSITIONING TIPS FOR PARENTS

For children age 0 months to 35 months

Create a file for important information
- Diagnosis
- Evaluations
Contact Early Intervention (EI) providers for intervention services, if your child qualifies for services they will write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
Join a parent support group
Prepare for and attend all IFSP/IEP (Individualized Education Plan) transition meetings
Ask questions and seek clarification on anything you don’t understand
Connect with North Bay Regional Center

Ages 3-5 years

Write a social story about going to school
Ask the teacher for pictures of them, the classroom, the school and the bus.
Take your child to visit the new program or school
Explore ways for your child to interact with peers.
Inquire about kindergarten transition
Create a file for important information
- Diagnosis
- Evaluations
Join a parent support group
Prepare for and attend all IEP (Individualized Education Program) transition meetings
Ask questions and seek clarification on anything you don’t understand
Connect with North Bay Regional Services

Age 6 to 12 years

Take your child to visit the new program or school
As the teacher for pictures of them, the classroom, the school and the bus.
Explore ways for your child to interact with peers.
Consider your child’s social skills, independent skills and communication system
Inquire about middle school transition

Ages 13-15 years

Consider having your child sit in on the IEP planning meetings
Consider your child’s social skills, independent skills and communication system
Inquire about high school transition

Resources:

Pacer Transition Planning

Age 16-20 years

Begin IEP Transition Planning
Connect with agency for supports North Bay Regional Center and Department of Rehabilitation
Identify job interests and abilities
Include activities such as career exploration, job sampling and some job training
Begin to identify community services that provide job training and placement
Prepare job placement file with references and skills that have been acquired
Begin application to adult agencies
Consider summer employment or participate in volunteer experiences
Explore future and financial planning options

Resources:

Transition Alliance

Pacer Transition Planning

Family Guide to Assistive Technology and Transition Planning

Secondary Transition Planning: The Basics

Age 20-22 years

Contact Adult Service Programs
- Colleges, Vocational, Technical
- Social Security Administration
- Residential and living services
- Recreational Groups
Connect with agency for supports North Bay Regional Center and Department of Rehabilitation
Begin to research guardianship options
Continue to review and update IEP Transition Planning