1. Lake Washington School District Transition Academy Mark Tornquist, Co-Coordinator mtornquist@lwsd.org Richard Haines, Co-Coordinator rihaines@lwsd.org rihaines@lwsd.org Located at the “Together Center” near Bella Botega 425-861-3452 www.lwsd.org/school/ta

2. Academy at a Glance Community based transition program Students: 18 - 21 years old with developmental disabilities – Currently 21; next fall 24-25 and growing Staff – 2 teachers – 5 para educators Focus: Preparation for life after the little yellow school bus stops coming – Functional application of academic, communication, social and other skills in work and other community activities

3. Some of our faces

4. History Prior to the Academy, kids either graduated or stayed in high school through 21 – Type and quality of program varied across district Task force 1999-2000: Mission, goals, and specifics Doors opened in September 2004 with 12 students and 3 staff Location: In the heart of the community – Originally on Cleveland, – now at the Together Center in Redmond; just South of the Bella Botega Shopping Center

5. Mission “Places to go, people to see, things to do” Values Individualized and student centered Parent (family) sensitive Age appropriate Community based and inclusive Activity based Collaborative Longitudinal Reasonable Risk Effective (outcome based) Other thoughts: Natural proportion and consequences “The Curriculum:” Live, Work, and Play

6. Nuts and Bolts

7. Location, location, location Now at the Together Center

8. Living out to eat/drink, grocery shopping, managing cell phone, $$, time, behavior, etc.

9. Working unpaid internships and paid employment

10. Working work related behavior (the soft skills)

11. Playing working out, bowling, libraries, Game Stop, etc.

12. Round, round, round, I get around Metro and pedestrian safety

13. Personal Safety Circles of Friends Saying “NO!” What if’s? Pedestrian safety Personal safety We Can Stop Abuse “Ms. Rebecca” 

14. Our Partners Students Parents Staff: para eds, teachers, related service staff District Administration Employers Junior and senior highs Colleges and universities King County DDD School to Work DVR Provail: Our embedded SE provider Other SE Providers Washington Initiative for Supported Employment Children’s Response Center

15. Friends of the Transition Academy Our Advisory Team Mission: To sustain the Academy for the long haul Targets / Activities: – Quarterly meetings – Incorporate as nonprofit – Financial support for students (scholarships) – Long term funding Volunteer Opportunities – Web Master for FTA or Academy – Social Media Guru\ – Business referrals for internships and paid employment – Legal expertise: Help with incorporation