The Transition Center serves students with disabilities ages 18 to 22. The program is designed to bridge the gap between high school and adult life. The focus is placed on self-advocacy and developing independence in areas of education/training, employment and community living.
The transition program is for students who have completed graduation requirements and need intense transitional supports to develop vocational, community, and independent living skills. Participation in the program is an IEP team decision and each students’ program is designed to meet their individual needs as identified by the team. The primary focus of the program is to provide vocational and independent living instruction along with hands-on opportunities in the classroom, in the community and at vocational sites.
The Transition Center provides education and training in the following areas:
Daily Living Skills including self-advocacy/self-care, money management, adult/home living, life skills cooking/menu planning/grocery shopping, and computers
Social & Community Living including social skills, community connections, transportation training, current events, and Aktion Club - a branch of Kiwanis
Vocational Services including vocational skills, Project Discovery curriculum, USF Work Enclave, JJC Food Service Partnership, and many other sites
Recreation/Leisure including home fitness, community leisure/fitness, fitness center, and Special Olympics of Illinois team participation
Each student has his/her own plan and schedule to best meet their individual needs. These plans may include internal job development opportunities, paid job sites, the Joliet Junior College Vocational Food Service Program, the USF Career Cluster Program, and a variety of community experiences that prepare them for the adult world.
Independent living skills development are hands on, and students are responsible for: grocery shopping, budgeting for shopping, making their own lunches, cleaning, and personal care. In addition, students will gain a better understanding of time management, access to community resources, and public transportation.
Students learn how to become their own self-advocates during their time at the Transition Center. Students are an integral part of their IEP meetings and evaluating their goals at the Transition Center. As a part of their transition programming, students learn to identify their strengths, interests, skills, and areas of improvement and present to their team during the annual review process.
