Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

Who PlansThe EducationTransition?Who plans thetransition? Thestudent’s team,composed of thestudent, his orher main advocate(a family memberor other determinedadvocate) andall professionalsnecessary to provideeducational andother services.The Student andhis or her TeamInclude the StudentFederal law requires a public agency (such as a school)that is planning for a student with a disability to invitehim or her to the IEP meeting if transition will bediscussed.If the student does not attend the meeting, the publicagency must take other steps to ensure that thestudent’s preferences and interests are considered.The IEP teamUnder IDEA, the IEP transition team should includethe student, parents (or persons acting as the parent),and school staff who know the student, as well asrepresentatives of every agency that might play a rolein meeting the student’s needs. These agencies caninclude:• developmental services agencies• alcohol, drug abuse and mental health programs• community colleges• the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS)• the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation(DVR)• deaf service centers• children’s medical services• children and family services• community mental health services• the Centers for Independent Living (CIL)• Social Security programs• speech-language programs• any other agency with services or programs thatmight contribute to the student’s successfultransition to adult life.16The 504 teamThe composition of the 504 team is less formallydictated by law than the IDEA team, but it’s a good ideato have the same sort of mix, to cover all the servicesand opportunities the student might need and want.The student or anyone responsible for that person canrequest the participation of experts.The Transition TeamThe transition can be planned by the members of theIEP or 504 team, plus additional contributors such asprofessionals in the fields of higher education, adultliving arrangements and employment.IPE (an employment plan)The IPE plan is written by the student and his or hervocational rehabilitation counselor, who enters thepicture when the student is determined eligible forservices from DVR or DBS.The counselor will be more valuable, however,if he or she has been involved in the student’seducation planning from early on.Any involved family members and other membersof the student’s IEP (or 504) team should contributeto drafting the plan, but it’s the student and VRcounselor who must agree on the final version.Preparing for your IEP MeetingIDEA states if the purpose of the IEP meeting is toconsider your post secondary goals and transitionservices you should be invited to the meeting. Sincethese meetings are so important to your future, themore you can be part of them, the better the teamwill work together. Everyone wants you to besuccessful.