10A • November 25, 2016 • Seaside Signal • seasidesignal.com Teaching life skills for smooth adult transitions For Seaside Signal HOW IT WORKS By Katherine Lacaze For Seaside Signal Setting high expectations The statewide priorities for implementing post-secondary transition programs, accord- ing to Catt, are to decrease the number of students with developmental and intellectu- al disabilities who leave high school without a diploma and to increase employment train- ing and vocational experiences during school that lead to bet- ter post-school outcomes. “We need high expecta- tions; we know high expec- tations lead to greater out- comes,” he said. Currently, transition plan- ning is required to begin for each impacted student starting at age 16. Services are offered until the student turns 21, “with the end result that it’s a seamless transition to adult- hood,” Catt said. The initial process of devel- oping a transition plan explores the student’s post-secondary goals — whether they include JEREMY CATT the military, further education or entering the workforce — and what transition services and course study they need to meet those goals. “It’s a very comprehensive process, and we take this part of our IEPs very seriously,” Catt said at the September dis- trict board meeting. “It’s very individualized on what the student wants to do and what they’re able to do.” Measuring program success School districts are now required to annually com- plete interviews with all stu- dents who received special education services and left secondary school after the 2014-15 school year to gauge post-school outcomes. Survey questions asked if the indi- viduals are working and how many hours; if they are con- nected with outside agencies; if they have a driver’s license; if they are receiving appropri- ate government benefits; and more. “Post-school outcomes measure how effective our transition planning and ser- eomediagroup.com vices are in preparing students for life after high school” and “help us continue to build our transition program,” Catt said. The statewide priority for engagement is 73 percent of graduates; the district has a response rate of 82 percent. The state Department of Education has identified a variety of predictors of post- high school success, including work study experiences, paid employment, a high school diploma, occupational cours- es, family expectations and involvement, career aware- ness, interagency collabora- tion and self-determination. “The question is, are we doing these things and are we doing them well?” Catt said. Feedback from surveys conducted in the spring showed Seaside students with intellectual and developmen- tal disabilities who graduated in 2015 were working and generally had the services they need. The district found, however, a need to increase the paid employment for those students and “we are always looking at ways to improve” access to resources, Catt said. OREGON CAPITAL INSIDER The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. EARN UP TO A $ 500 R E B A T E on Sigature Series window coverings and motorized control.* NOVEMBER 1 thru DECEMBER 31, 2016 * SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY. SEE YOUR BUDGET BLINDS DEALER FOR MORE DETAILS Oregon Coast 503-738-5242 Lincoln City 541-994-9954 SW Washington 503-738-5242 www.budgetblinds.com of the natural (biological) parents are permitted to attend,” Arnoth said. “We What says “Christmas” always have some form of more than gifts and a tur- entertainment. This year the key dinner? Plus a visit Astoria High School Choir from Santa to boot? That’s will be singing carols. And why the Foster Children’s of course Santa will make Christmas Party to be held an appearance, and then we in December in Seaside is so hand out gifts. Last year we served 210 people turkey, important. Dan Arnoth, the chair- mashed potatoes with gravy, man of the committee, a green vegetable, cake. It’s sponsored by the Astoria Ki- a fun, happy, upbeat event. The kids are always wanis Club, has been excited. Many of involved with the them are getting gifts party for a long time. they would otherwise “Eighteen years ago not receive. I have I was asked to par- four volunteers who ticipate in a pot luck will do the actual gift dinner with the foster children and the fos- Dan shopping. The wrap- ter parents of Clat- ping is done by the Arnoth sop County,” Arnoth Astoria High School said. “At the time there were Key Club and Seaside and about 40 foster children in Napa Key Clubs, who all the system and the event was serve as volunteers.” held at the Seaside Ameri- Arnoth explained that the can Legion.” Since then, the bulk of the funds collect- number of children in foster ed to make the dinner hap- care have swelled. pen comes from the sale of “Over the years, it’s Christmas trees. “The big- turned into a full-blown gest money comes from the Christmas dinner, the kids Safeway in Astoria which receive gifts, Santa shows begins selling Christmas up,” Arnoth said. “We serve trees starting the day after from anywhere to 117 to 125 Thanksgiving,” he said. The kids, aged newborn to 18 tree sale is sponsored and years. It’s a cooperative ef- undertaken by the Astoria fort. We have sponsors from Kiwanis.” He said it costs the Seaside and Warrenton over $5,000 to make the din- Rotaries, the Warrenton Ki- ner happen. Donations are wanis, and the Astoria Ki- always welcome. Donations wanis. The Astoria Kiwanis can be made to the Asto- Club is the major sponsor ria Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box this year, but we also get 209, Astoria OR 97103. donations from all the area “I invite the principals of Lions Clubs and Kiwanis all the schools to come and Clubs in the area. And the see what we are doing,” Ar- local high school Key Club noth said. “I want them to members really help out.” see how much the kids enjoy This year the annual it and what a worthy project event takes place Dec. 12 this is.” He said it’s the kids in Seaside. Due to the confi- who keep him going. “When dentiality and security of the you see the look on these children in the foster system, kids’ faces and what they say the exact location is not dis- when they sit on Santa’s knee closed. … well, that’s everything.” “The party is for the kids, Dan Arnoth can be but their foster families are reached at danarnoth@ also invited. Also some chart.net. By Eve Marx Partnerships aid student transition New community partner- ships will help the Seaside School District better provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities the life skills to support a smooth transition to adulthood. For many years, the school district has offered post-sec- ondary transition services that include individual educational plans outlining the special ed- ucation services a child iden- tified with a disability will re- ceive as part of his or her free and appropriate education, ac- cording to Jeremy Catt, direc- tor of special services. “Our focus is on college and career readiness for all stu- dents, including students with disabilities,” he said. “The goal is to have a plan for their future as they leave school.” This year, a main focus for the post-secondary transition program — which prepares students to move from high school to adult life utilizing comprehensive planning and coordinated activities — is to include more collaboration with outside agencies and community participation, Catt said. “We want to continue this development of partnerships,” which provide for integrated employment and job skills de- velopment opportunities, he added. Those partnerships include agencies such as Vocational Rehabilitation, Youth Tran- sition Program, Employment First, Disability Rights Ore- gon, Families and Commu- nities Together and the local transition network facilitator. Making Christmas more jolly for local foster kids Jeremy Catt believes strengthening the collaboration and communication among the network that includes students, their families, community partners and district staff will result in better outcomes. A snapshot of what this collaboration looks like is: • Students with disabilities participating in paid employment opportunities with coaching, modeling and support from school staff or representatives from partnering agencies • Working on job and life skills development at local businesses and organizations based on an assessment of the students’ preferences, interests and needs; and receiving direct instructions in the community setting in areas of social communication, resume development, interviewing skills, safety skill, independent living and recreation and leisure, to name a few. • The intended mission of the transition program, Catt said, is that “every student with a disability will graduate with the individual skills needed to gain competitive employment and develop appropriate independent living skills in preparation for a full life.” Top Brands. Factory-Direct Prices. Free Coupon Book at Wine & Beer Haus or online, www.seasideoutlets.com kiwanis trees will be For sale Nov. 29th when you Get Your Christmas Tree Here, the Proceeds go to Kiwanis Club, which puts kids fi rst! REGULAR HOURS: Monday-Saturday 10-8, Sunday 10-6 12 TH AVE. & HWY. 101, SEASIDE, OR • 503.717.1603