The District of Columbia’s Special Education Secondary Transition Community of Practice (CoP) consists of a group of stakeholders who are committed to improving transition services and outcomes for youth with disabilities within the District of Columbia. The group, made up of educators, parents, and representatives from various DC government agencies and community based organizations, meets regularly to coordinate efforts toward providing increased opportunities and support for transition-aged youth within the areas of postsecondary education/training, employment, and independent living.
Several subcommittees within the larger CoP are engaged in more targeted work in the areas of tool and resource development, youth leadership, family engagement, and data. In the past, these subcommittees have worked together to create resources and training opportunities for local schools and educators, offered trainings on the transition process to families and students, conducted outreach, and made policy recommendations.
In the fall of 2012, the CoP released a white paper entitled, Implementing Student-led Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in Washington, DC. In addition to showing the value of student participation in the IEP process, the paper connects educators and families to a variety of self-determination resources. In connection to this project, many CoP members are actively involved in partnering with OSSE and have launched a new Student-Led IEP Demonstration Project designed to build self-advocacy skills and increase student involvement in the transition planning process.
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Division of Specialized Education announced a public awareness campaign launch regarding Special Education Secondary Transition, to take place on Friday, June 20, 2014.
The campaign, entitled “Get Started Now,” will highlight and feature ways to support a successful transition for youth with disabilities. The kickoff will provide a general overview on secondary transition, highlight the District’s state secondary transition plan and the work that its Community of Practice (CoP) has accomplished this past year, and showcase new hard copy and electronic materials regarding the importance of secondary transition planning for city-wide use.
The kickoff event will be hosted at OSSE 810 First Street, NE – 3rd Floor Grand Hall on Friday, June 20, 2014 from 10:00am – 12:00 noon.
The DC Secondary Transition Community of Practice meets on a monthly basis, typically on the third Friday of each month at OSSE. If you are interested in attending a meeting or joining the CoP, please contact Ms. Naté Dearden at nate.dearden@dc.gov or (202) 741-0267.
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