East Ridge High School to Host ‘Transition Fair’ for Seniors With Special Needs

There are more than 200 students at East Ridge High School enrolled in special-needs programs.

And the decisions facing those who are graduating this spring are as varied as the students themselves.

East Ridge High School for the first time this year will hold a “Transition Fair,” giving students and their parents the chance to hear from more than 40 vendors on everything from post-secondary education to housing options and job opportunities, said Rob Weberg, special education teacher at the Woodbury school.

“There’s been a real need for it,” he said.

The idea is to help connect special-needs students with community resources as they prepare for life after high school, Weberg said.

The event is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at East Ridge.

There will be booths and presentations available for attendees. The Special Education Advisory Committee for South Washington County Schools is sponsoring the fair. The majority of vendors will be from the east metro.

According to a flyer:

• Learn what a guardianship is and does your child need one?
• What resources are available to find housing? What are you housing options?
• Can your child go to college? What kind of supports are there?
• What about employment?
• Can your child keep their SSI benefits and find employment?

Presentations—one on guardianship and another featuring a post-secondary education panel—will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Officials are hoping the Transition Fair aids students as they move on to the next phase of life, Weberg said.

Advocacy Organizations

• ARC
• CCP Foundation
• MN Brain Injury Alliance
• NAMI  - National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
  

Community Resources

• 9th Planet - products and training that support sensory needs
• Cadan Computers – products and services for computers/sensory needs
• MN Disability Law Center – legal agency for disability related services (waiver appeals,etc)
• Quilted Illusions – quilted lap blankets for sensory needs
• Valley Friendship Club – recreational opportunities for individuals with and without disabilities
• YMCA- SE (Woodbury) - recreational adaptive programs
• The Yoga Bridge – recreational yoga for individuals with special needs
• Deb Larson – Living Young Essential Oils

Education

• Century College – secondary two year college
• IEIC
• Next Step Program – District 833’s transition team/program
• MTS – Minnesota Transition School – Charter school

Employment Organizations/Waivered Service Providers

• BLIND Inc. – Teach living skills to visually impaired to become independent/employed
• BrightStar Care – provide nursing, PCA care and staff
• CCP- Supported employment, and other waiver service options
• Chrestomathy – Supported employment and day, training and habilitation provider
• DEED – Woodbury office of Vocational Rehab services
• Goodwill Industries – provides supported employment options
• Lifeworks – supported employment and transition services
• MAINSL – Supported employment
• MDM Rubicom – supported employment
• Midwest Special Services – supported employment
• Opportunity Services - personalized education, housing and employment opportunities to more than 1,200 clients with developmental disabilities, brain injury, autism, and other special needs
• PAI – Phoenix Alternative – adult recreational and leisure opportunities in Oakdale
• Partnerships for Minnesota Futures, Inc. – Supported Housing Options

Living Options

• ACR Homes
• Partnerships for Minnesota Futures, Inc.
• New Challenges Inc.

Medical Providers

• Anondyne Inc. – Medical equipment and supplies
• Family Achievement Center – provide PT/OT to special needs populations
• Dr. Nancy Foster – Behavioral health provider
• Mary McGrath, Ph.D; Reflections Resources, Burnsville – mental/behavior health provider
• Nystrom and Associates – mental health
• Portico Health Net – providers of medical insurance coverage

State and County Resources

• Metro Transit – transportation services
• State Services for the Blind
• Washington County DD Office – office of developmental disabilities staff can explain waivers
• Washington County Library – Get a library card, find out about community events, hours

Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter