Unit 2/Phase 4: Transition

Application Station:
The Transition Process

The following activities are designed to assist you in reflecting upon the information that is contained in this learning module and applying it to your practice. Below are a variety of activities to allow you to choose those that fit your needs, learning styles, and time commitments. If you like an activity, or find it particularly helpful, please feel free to share the information with your colleagues.

Choose one of the following activities.

1. Read the Amy and Sam Chen Story  which highlights transition issues. The service coordinator and the family thought they were prepared for the meeting, but the family was still overwhelmed. Reflect on the discussion questions.

2. Interview one family and one provider who are in the midst of a transition. They may or may not be involved in the same transition. Ask about their personal experience with referral and transition. After the interview, answer the following questions to help you reflect upon what you learned.

What is going well in the process?

Are there issues that they feel are not yet resolved?

Summarize the results of your interviews. Identify what was told to you by the family and by the provider.

How were their perspectives the same?

How were their perspectives different?

What have you learned that may help you in working through transitions?

3.    Research the options at transition in your community. Make a list of potential preschool options for children with disabilities.

4.    Read the interagency agreements your Birth to 3 Program has with local school districts. If you like, read examples of other agreements available on the Collaborating Partners website. How do these agreements compare? How might your inter-agency agreements improve?

5.    Think about a child who may meet their IFSP outcomes prior to age 3. How can Birth to 3 coordinate a successful transition into the community? What local resources might you refer this family to?

NOTE: This would be a good time to sit down with your supervisor or mentor to discuss what you have read and address any questions you may have. Use your Browser’s back button to return to the table of contents and move on to Unit 3.

 These modules were developed from a combination of materials, including:

1)    Pathways Service Coordination Project, Waisman Center-University of Wisconsin-Madison, funded by a number of grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. These materials were developed and field tested for several years within Wisconsin and several other states throughout the nation, leading to these publications: Pathways Trail Mix: A Collection of Ideas and Training Activities in Early Intervention Service Coordination (1999); Pathways in Early Intervention Service Coordination: A Video & Companion Guide (1996); and Pathways: A Training and Resource Guide for Enhancing Skills in Early Intervention Service Coordination (1996)

2)    Wisconsin Personnel Development Project/Birth to 3 RESource Training materials posted on the Birth to 3 Training and Technical Assistance Website

3)    Portage Project, CESA 5 Training Materials

4)    Materials and forms created by Wisconsin County Birth to 3 Programs

5)    Resources available on the Internet that have been developed by other programs throughout the country.