Post-Secondary Transition at Menta Employment First

Team Transition: A Transitional Education Program for Students with Disabilities

The Menta Group has designed a program to assist districts with improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities. Team Transition is an inclusive, comprehensive, transition focused educational program that consists of college, career, and citizenship readiness for young adults, ages 18 to 22, who have not met the transition outcomes of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

The mission of the Team Transition Program is to assist young people in making a successful transition to adulthood with all youth achieving, within their potential, their goals in the transition domains of education, employment, living situation, and community life. The program serves ALL applicants with unique learning needs by providing career exploration, customized employment, specialized vocational and academic instruction, and comprehensive support services. The program length is dependent on the young adult’s transition plan.

Instructors work with transitioning high school students who are entering college, employment, or other postsecondary settings, through individualized assistance and mentoring including: self-advocacy, independent living, socialization, study skills, organizational skills, recreation and community activities. In addition, eligible students work with a post-secondary transition specialist who helps the student with goal setting, career exploration, job-seeking and job placement.

The Team Transition Program provides:

• Comprehensive assessment of needs by engaging young people through relationship development and person-centered planning,
• Individualized youth driven transition using strength-based planning,
• Case management,
• Identification and linkage to natural and formal community supports,
• Enriching collegiate experiences,
• Job development and placement,
• Interactive and inclusive environments, and
• Learning opportunities transferable to lifelong independent living skills.

Referrals are made primarily by school districts seeking assistance with meeting transition needs for students with disabilities. Applicants entering the program go through a person-centered plan and interviewing process, which identifies their individual needs and desires as well as readiness for the program. Subsequently, a schedule is developed in collaboration with the youth’s transition team.

For further information, contact: Sharon Slover, Executive Director of Education & Careers The Menta Group.