TRANSITION SERVICES

The BCIU provides transition services to students ages 5 through 21 from various Berks County school districts.

Based on Part 300 of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Pennsylvania’s Chapter 14, Special Education Services and Programs State Regulations, transition services are a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that are:

Designed to be within a results-oriented process that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.
Based on the individual child’s needs, taking into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests; and includes:

Instruction
Related services
Community experiences
The development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives
If appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and provision of a functional vocational evaluation

Transition services for children with disabilities may be special education, if provided as specially designed instruction, or a related service, if required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education.

School districts must make referrals by submitting a Request for School-Age Programs and Services Form to the BCIU.