ESE Parent Resources

Secondary transition refers to the process a student with a disability goes through as they move from high school to whatever comes next, including postsecondary education, employment and independent living. In Florida this begins at age 14 or earlier and may not end until 22 for students with significant disabilities.

The term “transition services” or “transition planning” means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that:

• Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment); continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation
• Is based on the individual child’s needs, taking into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests
• Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation

Access Transition Resources

Partnership between Collier County Public Schools, NCH Healthcare System, Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Project SEARCH is a one-year internship program for students with disabilities between the ages of 18-21. It is targeted to students whose goal is competitive employment. The program takes place at NCH Baker Downtown Hospital, where students will participate in three unpaid internships to explore a variety of career paths. 

Students begin and end each day with classroom instruction on the NCH campus. The following topics will be covered throughout the program: Team Building, Workplace Safety, Financial Literacy, Health and Wellness, Technology, Self-Advocacy, Preparing for Employment, and Maintaining Employment.

The L.I.F.E Program is an internship program for students with disabilities between the ages of 18-21. The program provides authentic structured work-study opportunities in a community-based setting based on students’ interests and strengths.  The program takes place through a partnership with Royal Poinciana Golf Club.

Students begin and end each day with classroom instruction on the Barron Collier High School campus. The following topics will be covered throughout the program: Team Building, Banking Skills, Workplace Safety, Self-Advocacy, Preparing for Employment, Confidence Building, Work-related Vocabulary, Responsibility, and Maintaining Employment.