Transition Center
Address
407 W. St. Charles Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Attendance Line
(630) 617-8303
Staff Contacts
Justin Olson - Vocational Coordinator
jolson@elmhurst205.org
(630)-617-8001
Jason Vanderplow - College of DuPage Case Manager
jvanderplow@elmhurst205.org
(630) 617-2496
Amy Brown
Resource Teacher
amybrown@elmhurst205.org
Alice Townsend - Speech -Language Pathologist
atownsend@elmhurst205.org
6(30)-617-2400 ext. 5102
Kristi Stone - Social Worker
kstone@elmhurst205.org
(630) 617-2428
Tyler King - Case Manager
tking@elmhurst205.org
(630) 617-2506
Tim Wealton - Transition Specialist
twealton@elmhurst205.org
(630) 617-2504
Steve Westendorf - Case Manager
swestendorf@elmhurst205.org
(630) 617-8000
What is the Transition Center?
The passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) mandates school districts to provide transition services for students with disabilities in order to improve post-school outcomes for these youth. To help meet the requirements for transition, District 205 has developed a community-based transition program. This program is called the 18-21 program because of the age-range of students involved, and is designated to support students with disabilities who may have met the requirements for graduation, but who may need to continue to work on their transition goals. IDEA defines transition services as:
A coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process, which promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation. The coordinated set of activities shall be based upon the individual student's needs taking into account the student's preference and interests, and shall include instruction, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.
Providing transition services and supports in community settings to students ages 18-21 with intellectual disabilities allows students to expand their independence, self-advocacy, employment, and social and community integration during their final years of mandated public schooling.