Workshop for Parents with Special Needs Children

District 214 will host 'Transition Night," an informative workshop for parents of special needs students. Presented by the Parent Advisory Council of District 214 and Student Services, attendees may choose two of the following three sessions: "Accessing Disability Services at the College Level," "Transitional Needs Beyond High School" and "Education and Training Seminar."

Accessing Disability Services at the College Level, presented by Debra Franzen, Learning Disabilities Advocate/CAP Coordinator at Harper Community College, will cover the basics of what information is needed to access disability services at the high school level.

Transitional Needs Beyond High School, presented by Greg Hill, Transition Specialist from Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO), and Craig Ameel, Career and Life Skills Coordinator at John Hersey High School, will explore the basics of what must be done now and over the next few years to prepare for special-needs students' post-secondary "real world." Topics included in this session are Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, residential options, vocational assistance, Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services, Community Alternatives Unlimited, Division of Rehabilitation Services, recreation and leisure opportunities, State IDs for those with a disability, guardianship and more.

Education and Training Seminar, conducted by Krista Paul, District Internship Coordinator, District 214, and Ken Kozin, Technical Assistant Coordinator, NSSEO, will offer ways to promote effective, person-centered transition planning to address all aspects of adult life for youth with disabilities. Practical strategies covered will include:

• The use of data to guide the IEP team in the decision-making process in developing transition and career plans.
• The sequence of pre-employment training opportunities.
• The development of Career Pathways based upon career interest inventories and four-year course plan.
• An overview of District 214’s Internship Program.
• Options to obtain information on post-secondary opportunities, such as education, training, employment, residential and interagency collaboration.

 To RSVP or for questions/concerns, call or Laura Faber at 847- 718-7550 or email her at Laura.Faber@d214.org.