James Glidewell

Waco ISD Transition Specialist

email: james.glidewell@wacoisd.org

office: 254-981-5839

cell: 512-577-8615

Transition services are a coordinated set of activities based on each individual student’s strengths, preferences, interests and needs.  Transition activities include assessment, instruction, training, experiences, agency connections and related services.  These activities are coordinated between the school, student, parents and agencies so that everyone is working together to empower students with the skills, independence and services needed to succeed in life after high school. 

Important:

If your child qualifies for special education with an intellectual disability or autism, it is extremely important to call Heart of Texas MHMR to place your child on the Medicaid Waiver waiting lists for home and community support services.  Even if your child does not need services now, these services may be critical for your child later and in adult life.  Some of these waiting lists are 2-15 years long, so you will want to call the following number today to put your child on the list immediately:    

Alex Canterbury
MHMR Intake social Worker
254-297-8923

• Sign your child up for wait lists and begin the intake process for outside agencies.
• Contact the Social Security office for possible benefits (MHMR will assist with this process).
• Review community resources outside of the school (see resource links).
• Participate in ARD IEP development for appropriate accommodations and services.
• Provide opportunities in the home and community for your child to practice the self-determination, self-advocacy and self-awareness skills taught in the school.
• Create a schedule of chores in and around the home to build skills, independence, responsibility and work ethic.
• Enroll your child in Special Olympics as early as 4th grade.
• Contact the WISD Transition Specialist if you are new to the Waco community or for any questions, agency connection assistance or guidance.

• Transition assessments conducted by the school that includes student, families and school staff input to determine appropriate adult life goals based on strengths, preferences, interests and needs.
• Annual IEP Transition Plan developed with the student, family and agencies to create a plan that prepares the student for their adult life in the areas of education, employment and adult living goals.
• A coordinated set of activities created to assign activities to school staff, students, agencies and families.
• Student chooses endorsement plan with high school counselor (8th grade), based on strengths and interests, as part of the transition plan. 
• Continue a schedule of chores in and around the home to build skills, responsibility and work ethic.
• Contact the WISD Transition Specialist for Person Centered Life Planning if your child or family needs assistance or more intensive planning.

• Participate each year in ARD meeting to update Transition planning. Each year the coordinated set of activities will evolve to focus on the next set of activities leading to your child’s adult plans. 
• Complete parent input questionnaire for the ARD each year.  This is an assessment to help identify the needs and coordinated activities. 
• Person-Centered Life Planning facilitated by the WISD Transition Specialist with the student, family and other appropriate individuals.  Life planning automatically scheduled for FA students with higher needs, and conducted for any student upon need or request. 
• Community based job skills training provided for students in 11th and 12th grades, based on needs, to meet graduation requirements for employment.
• Transition Specialist coordinates student/family meetings with Texas Workforce Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (TWS-VR) for services leading to adult employment and education.
• Summer work experiences (ages 16+), with job coaching/supervision is coordinated between WISD and TWS-VR for students enrolled in TWS-VR to develop employment skills. 
• Waco Transit training to access the community and work independently. 
• Increase a schedule of chores in and around the home to build skills, responsibility and work ethic.
• Students attending a college or trade school after graduation can get a copy of their Special Education Evaluation (FIE) to submit to their college disabilities for accommodations. Contact the Transition Specialist if any assistance is needed in this process. 

• The school system’s goal is to prepare students to graduate after four years of high school and proceed with adult life plans; however, some students may need more time to accomplish their IEP goals and qualify to receive instruction beyond the 12th grade with our 18+ Access program. 
• The Access program is for students who have met course and testing HS graduation requirements, but require more time to accomplish the IEP transition goals needed to access postsecondary life. The Access program addresses:
  
  
  • Self-advocacy and determination
  • Employment
  • Daily and independent living
  • Postsecondary education options 
    
    

• The Access program serves as a stepping-stone from high school to the most independent and fulfilling adult life schedule possible.
• The Access program works closely with families and outside agencies to facilitate any services needed to replace school supports after graduation.  
• The Access program is a highly individualized community-based program that provides instruction in authentic real-life community sites.
• Employment skills instruction provided in collaboration with Texas Workforce-Vocational Rehabilitation services, with a seamless continuation of TWS-VR services after the student graduates.
• Baylor Best Buddies Program Host for fostering the inclusion of students in the schools and in the community. 
• Once the student has accomplished their IEP goals, they graduate and receive their high school diploma.