Upcoming Events
Adult Services Night
Wednesday, October 25
Richard Montgomery High School Cafeteria
IN-PERSON EVENT
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Transition Services
The transition services unit provides stakeholders with the necessary resources, tools, supports and professional development needed to ensure students a successful transition into further education, employment, and full participation in their community
Office Location:
11721 Kemp Mill Road
Silver Spring, Maryland 20902
Phone: 240-740-5900
Fax: 301-649-8018
Transition Planning Process and Resources
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College and Career Readiness
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Transition Information for Parents and Students (TIPS) Meetings
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Transitioning Youth (TY) Information
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MD Agency Linkages
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Additional Resources Families and Caregivers
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Exploring Careers Internship Program
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Community and Career Connections (CCC)/Transition Training for Independence (TTI)
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Summer Opportunities
Learn More »Transition Planning Process and Resources
Transition services are a student centered planning process designed to meet students' educational, employment and independent living outcomes. These outcomes may include:
- Post-secondary education
- Job training
- Employment (supported)
- Continuing and Adult education
- Adult services
- Independent living
- Community participation
A student's transition plan becomes a part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process beginning at age 14 or younger, if appropriate. Transition planning is a process that should include the following:
- Identifying the student's post-high school goals
- Assessing the student's interests and abilities in relation to identified goals
- Determining courses, experiences, and programs that will prepare the student to reach his/her goals
- Supporting the student in transition-related activities
- Determining the student's anticipated adult service needs
- Linking the student and parent with potential adult services
Students receive an array of services to help them attain their identified post-secondary outcomes and to prepare them to be college, career and community ready. These services may include, but are not limited to; career education, career exploration, social skills and self-advocacy instruction, career technology education, in-school and community work-based learning experiences, independent living skills instruction, and linkage to community agencies.
Secondary Transition Planning Guide
Secondary Transition Planning Guide (Spanish)
College and Career Readiness
- MCPS Career Readiness Explore MCPS programs to support career readiness
- Dual Enrollment: Information for Montgomery College and Information for MCPS Learn more about opportunities to earn college credit in high school
- Exploring Careers Internship Program MCPS program for eligible students
- Montgomery College & Disability Support Services Degree, certificate & continuing ed. Disability Support Services link describes supports & eligibility requirements.
- WorkSource Montgomery Provides a One-Stop Online delivery system that simplifies access to workforce-related services.
- Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) Provides short term funding for eligible individuals to meet employment and independence goals.
- Think College College Options for People with Intellectual Disabilities Provides resources about college options for people with intellectual disabilities.
- Maryland Higher Education Commission A guide to help families find college courses, information on scholarships, and other forms of financial aid.
Transition Information for Parents and Students (TIPS) Meetings
MCPS Transition Information for Parents and Students, Families of students with an IEP for Ages 14 to 21 Sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools Transition Services Unit - Interpreters available upon request.
Questions? Please call MCPS Transition Services at (240) 740-5900
Below are the registration links, documents, and recordings for Transition Planning Parent Workshops from the 23-24 school year. Subtitles can be accessed for each recording in any language by clicking on the settings icon on the video, selecting Subtitles > Auto-translate and choosing the language you need.
CLICK HERE to register for the TIPS workshops for the 23-24 school year
Registration flyers are also available in Spanish, French, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Vietnamese.
| Workshop | Date/Time | Location | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Services |
October 25, 2023 6:30-8:30 PM |
Richard Montgomery High School Cafeteria 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville, MD |
No registration required Materials will be posted after the meeting |
| College |
December 7, 2023
|
Virtual via Zoom |
Registration Link HERE Materials will be posted after the meeting |
| Guardianship & Supported Decision Making | February 6, 2024 | Virtual via Zoom |
Registration Link HERE Materials will be posted after the meeting |
| Financial Planning |
February 8, 2024 | Virtual via Zoom |
Registration Link HERE Materials will be posted after the meeting |
| DORS & Social Security | April 24, 2024 | Virtual via Zoom |
Registration Link HERE Materials will be posted after the meeting |
Transitioning Youth (TY) Information
- Transition Planning Guide for Individuals with Disabilities Provides information to students, parents/guardians, educators, and community agencies about the transition process. Although every student will have individualized transition goals and outcomes, this guide provides “preliminary” information about the requirements of the transition process under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) as well as recommended strategies and resources to acquire a positive outcome.
- Are you Ready Checklist A checklist for families to support students preparing to transition out of high school
- Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) Brochure Provides short term funding to programs for individuals with disabilities found eligible to meet employment and independence goals. To learn more:
- Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Provides long term funding for individuals eligible for adult day, residential, or support services for individuals with developmental disabilities to work and live as independently as possible in the community. Eligibility is based on priority, availability of needed services and funding, and acceptance by the agency of the client’s application.
- Step-by-Step Guide to DDA Process Videos from PCR PCR, in collaboration with the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), has produced five short videos to help families and DD professionals throughout the State of Maryland learn about the services and supports offered by DDA and how to access them. All videos include ASL simultaneous interpretation.
MD Agency Linkages
- Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
The Department of Rehabilitation Services provides short term funding to programs for individuals with disabilities found eligible to meet employment and independence goals. To learn more: - Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
Provides long term funding for individuals eligible for adult day, residential, or support services for individuals with developmental disabilities to work and live as independently as possible in the community. Eligibility is based on priority, availability of needed services and funding, and acceptance by the agency of the client’s application. - Maryland Department of Labor (MDL)
The Youth Employment Program provides tools for Maryland youth between the ages of 16 and 24 to fulfill their educational goals and explore the world of work by providing educational support, leadership development, and work training. - Behavioral Health Administration (BHA)
BHA is part of the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) that serves people with mental illness and/or problems with alcohol and drug use. BHA funds and administers programs including but not limited to: psychiatric inpatient care, residential treatment, routine and intensive outpatient care, crisis services, rehabilitation services, family support, supported housing and supported employment for people with mental illness.
Additional Resources for Families and Caregivers
- Transition Connection 2020-2021 Guide
- Disability network directory for people with disabilities and adults 50+
- Transportation options for people with disabilities
- Are you Ready Checklist
- Montgomery County Disability Services
- Montgomery County Department of Recreation
- Summer Camps Brochure: English / Spanish / Amharic / French / Portuguese / Vietnamese / Chinese
- Recreation & Leisure Guide: English / Spanish / Amharic / French / Portuguese / Vietnamese / Chinese
- Behavior Health Brochure
- Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
- WMATA Accessibility
- Maryland Parents’ Place
- Social Security Administration
- Medicaid Application
- Planning Now: A Futures and Estate Planning Guide for Families of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities
- MCPS Special Education Parent Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Transition planning is the process of implementing a coordinated set of activities that is designed to help a student with disabilities reach his/her/their identified outcomes.
Outcomes are the post-school activities toward which the student is working. The IEP team may identify more than one outcome for a student. There are four identified outcomes in the transition section of the Individualized Education Program:
- Employment
- Training
- Education
- Independent Living
Transition planning first becomes a formal part of the IEP during the school year in which the student turns 14, or younger, if appropriate.
Students may receive an array of services including, but not limited to the following:
- Transition planning
- Instruction geared to post-secondary school outcomes
- Career education and career exploration
- Social skills and self-advocacy instruction
- Career Technology Education courses
- In-school and community work-based learning experiences
- Independent living skills instruction (activities of daily living and transportation training)
- Linkages to community agencies
All staff members involved in the student's educational program are responsible for preparing students to achieve their post-secondary and employment goals. Special responsibility is assigned to the Transition Support Teacher (TST) who coordinates the transition planning process.
Parents and guardians are important and valued partners with students and school staff in identifying their child’s post-secondary outcomes, planning the school program, and determining the adult service needs. Parents obtain information on available services through parent meetings and participating in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning process.
View page 6 of this document for "Roles and Involvement of Partners".
Each year, as part of the transition plan, the IEP team identifies the services the student may need during the first year following their exit from school. Students must meet eligibility criteria in order to receive services.
Starting at age 14, or earlier if appropriate, the IEP team should discuss and plan linkages to post-school services as part of the transition planning process.
A free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for individuals with disabilities is an entitlement from birth until the end of the school year in which the student earns their diploma or turns 21 years old. In order to receive post-secondary services and support, a student must apply and be found eligible based on the providing agency's referral protocol.
All High School students can receive a Maryland High School diploma based upon successful fulfillment of four categories of requirements: enrollment, course credit, student service learning (SSL) and Maryland assessments. Read more about MCPS Graduation Requirements
The Maryland High School Certificate is awarded to students with disabilities who cannot meet the requirements for a diploma, but who meet one of the following standards:
- The student is enrolled in an education program for at least 4 years beyond grade 8, or its age equivalent, and is determined by an IEP team, with the agreement of the parents of the student with disabilities, to have developed appropriate skills for the individual to enter the world of work, act responsibly as a citizen, and enjoy a fulfilling life; including but not limited to: gainful employment, post-secondary education and training, supported employment, and other services integrated in the community or...
- The student has been enrolled in an education program for 4 years beyond grade 8, or its age equivalent, and will have reached age 21 by the end of the student's current school year.
The final decision to award a student with disabilities a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion will not be made until after the beginning of the student's last year in high school.
Yes. IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) allows for continuation of educational services to student with disabilities up to age 21.
Yes. Students who graduate with a certificate may apply for admissions to any Maryland community college, such as Montgomery College. Students should contact the admissions office of the college for specific school requirements.
Summer Opportunities 2024
Information Coming Spring Semester 2024