Tuesday Transition Tips

• Transition Tip #70: Monitoring Progress on Postsecondary Transition Services and Activities

• Division on Career and Development and Transition (DCDT) 50th Anniversary

• Washtenaw ISD Sponsored Field Trips (Last chance for MICareer Quest)

• Washtenaw Transition Services PDs/Trainings/Collaboration Opportunities

• WISD Special Education Training/PDs Offerings

• State and National Transition Conference(s) and Special Education Conference(s):

• • Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC), March 3-5, 2027, Grand Rapids, MI

  • National Council for Exceptional Children (CEC); March 10-13, 2027 Columbus, OH

  • Michigan Transition Services Association(MTSA) March 17-19, 2027, Lansing, MI

• Additional Transition Learning Opportunities for Educators

• • MITTIN & Michigan Virtual

  • Grand Valley State University START: The Secondary Transition Cop

• Student Opportunities in Washtenaw County

• Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation: Virtual Inclusive Fitness (see dates below)
• Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) Pre-ets Virtual Information Nights (dates below)
• Person-Centered Options Counseling Program (see details below)

• Michigan Assistive Technology Program(MATP) (see information below)

• The ARC & AT&T presents: Digital Literacy Creates Opportunity (see details below)

• Adulting 101 sessions with Michigan Alliance

• Financial Literacy Bootcamp (February-March 2027)

• Disability Network Information & Referral Community Support Services for Student and Families: Activities/Events (see list below, dates & descriptions at the bottom of newsletter)

• Adaptive Sports & Fitness through University of Michigan
• DNWML Loan Closet
• American Dream Employment Network Member
• Harvest Gathering Event
• Harvest Gathering Volunteers Needed
• Exhibition "Striped" by Charles Miller
• Annual Holiday Market
• New: General Support Group
• MS Support Group
• DisScribe Writer's Group
• Studio BE
• Peer Support Empower Hour
• The Guild Theatre Club
• Call for Performers: Music and Dance
• Brush Hour in Lambertville and Brush Hour in Monroe

• Free Expungement Intake: Michigan Advocacy Program (see details below)

• Washtenaw County Post Secondary Transition Manual

Today’s Transition Tip marks the 70th newsletter since Kelly and I stepped into our roles as Transition TCs. This topic may be a repeat for some and new for others. With many new staff in Washtenaw County this year, it is well worth revisiting, and the timing is right as progress reports and midterms approach.

Today’s tip reiterates the importance of monitoring progress on postsecondary transition services and activities. At this time, PSSP does not provide a built-in tracking sheet, but we are still responsible for documenting these services and activities. Many teachers work on postsecondary transition activities every day. Some are documenting them consistently, while others may not be. If a parent or administrator asks for evidence of progress, we need to have it ready to share.

We must also monitor all activities and services that outside community agencies committed to providing through a student’s transition plan, if they attended the meeting and stated they would provide them.

Sec. 300.324(c) of IDEA: Failure to meet transition objectives

1. Participating agency failure. If a participating agency, other than the public agency, fails to provide the transition services described in the IEP in accordance with §300.320(b), the public agency must reconvene the IEP Team to identify alternative strategies to meet the transition objectives for the child set out in the IEP.
2. Construction. Nothing in this part relieves any participating agency, including a State vocational rehabilitation agency, of the responsibility to provide or pay for any transition service that the agency would otherwise provide to children with disabilities who meet the eligibility criteria of that agency.

Please keep your documentation updated and keep parents in the loop. One of the simplest ways is to share transition service and activity progress when you provide annual goal progress to parents/guardians, and to upload your documentation to PSSP.

Resources for You

I’ve created two optional forms to help you track these activities efficiently. Click below to make your own copy (you do not need access to the form to make a copy):

• Print Version: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vCK4e75mnYLlc5a0kbEuk-VvDW30EAAm/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116330420419577806751&rtpof=true&sd=true

• (includes easy drop-down menus)

• Electronic Version:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eTkzrfGkBkgg7pzsdBqN-mjPlAS3k1SKl4pEHe2YXEQ/edit?usp=sharing

• (standard paper format)

Last month, Kelly and I had the opportunity to attend and present at the Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) 50th Anniversary conference.

You may be wondering, is there a conference just for transition? Yes, there is! DCDT is a division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), which serves as the umbrella for many wonderful divisions. Today’s focus is on DCDT, whose primary focus is transition, which is why Kelly and I are so invested.

The conference brings together educators and professionals from around the world to share resources, knowledge, research, and best practices, from the classroom to how new laws and policies affect our students’ postsecondary transition.

Kelly and I have served on DCDT’s Policy and Advocacy Committee for the past two years. This past year, we served as co-practitioners alongside professors, doctoral students, and other transition professionals. Our membership has given us the opportunity to learn from and share with colleagues across the country and around the world, so we can best support our students as they transition to life after high school.

If you are interested in learning more, visit the Division on Career Development and Transition.

Hello, Educators!

We still have space available on the bus for students and their chaperones for our upcoming field trip to MiCareerQuest on November 17, 2026!

We are excited to announce that we have expanded the opportunity to include 8th-grade students. Please review the Field Trip Descriptors to help determine whether this field trip is an appropriate fit for your student(s).

Important Reminder: The deadline to submit completed field trip permission slips has been extended to Friday, November 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (noon).

Space is limited, and participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis until the bus reaches capacity. Please submit permission slips as soon as possible to secure your students' spots!

• Southeast Michigan Transition Conference- Macomb ISD, 44001 Garfield Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038, on November 10, 202; 8:30-3:15pm, $25.

• MCEC( Michigan Council for Exceptional Children)-Grand Rapids, MI, March 3rd-5th, 2027, Michigan CEC 2027 Conference
• National CEC(Council for Exception Children)-Columbus, Ohio March 10th-12th, 2027, CEC 2027 Columbus, Ohio
• MTSA(Michigan Transition Services Association), March 17th-19th, 2027, Lansing, MI, MTSA, Lansing, MI

MITTIN- a FREE, Online Transition Virtual Reality Resource for students now has a FREE Michigan Virtual Professional Development (SCECH's available) See below for details and sign-up link.

MITTIN (Michigan Transition To Independence) is an innovative initiative dedicated to preparing students for independent living and meaningful participation in their communities. It merges advanced technology with practical, real-world applications. MITTIN fosters autonomy, self-reliance, and confidence among learners of varying abilities. This course will guide you as you explore the MITTIN modules, which simulate real-world tasks in a safe, digital environment. You’ll also access lesson plans to help you use them with your students.

In this course, you will:

• Decide which MITTIN modules align with students’ real-life needs by exploring the MITTIN website.
• Decide which MITTIN modules align with your students’ IEP goals, how those modules can help reinforce and maintain the skills they learn, and how you can help students generalize those skills to real-life situations.
• Develop strategies for using MITTIN modules to support students in maintaining Home Safety and Community skills and integrating those skills into their real lives with collaboration from families and paraprofessionals.
• Use MITTIN modules to develop and strengthen data-informed PLAAFP (Present Level of Academic, Achievement, and Functional Performance) statements, draft IEP goals, and enhance SDI (Specially Designed Instruction).

1. https://michiganvirtual.org/course/professional/mittin-digital-resources-for-strengthening-real-world-independence-3-general-scech

2026-2027 Meeting Dates

• November 12, 2026; 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Virtual
• February 25, 2027; 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Virtual
• April 15, 2027; 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Virtual

To join the Secondary Transition CoP as a new member, please complete this form (submissions are subject to review).

Michigan 4-H Adulting 101

You do not need to be a 4-H member to sign up and attend. They are all in the evening and are all virtual. All info and sign up link are below- sign up for 1 or all...Free! Please share freely with your students/families.

• Paws, Claws, and Commitment: The Realities of Animal Care - Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. EST

Each session is planned for approximately 1 hour.

More details on the sessions, as well as the registration link can be found at: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/adulting-101-2026

You can choose to register for one or more of the topics at the time of registration and will then receive details, via e-mail, to register in Zoom to receive the webinar link. Please use the same name and e-mail you used for registration when signing into Zoom.

Michigan 4-H is helping youth be “beyond ready” for their future. We invite youth and adults to learn more and join additional programs (or become a volunteer) by checking out the Michigan 4-H website.

Stay informed of upcoming events, news, and more by signing up for a digest, following us on Facebook, Instagram, or checking out our website.

The Michigan Assistive Technology Program (MATP) The Michigan Assistive Technology Program is a statewide organization dedicated to providing free demonstrations and short-term loans of assistive technology (AT). Serving individuals of all ages, the program offers loan periods ranging from 14 to 45 days, ensuring users have ample time to trial a device before making a commitment.

Their inventory supports more than just educational needs; they offer solutions for employment, recreation, and daily living. For added convenience, MATP is mobile; if you cannot visit them, they will come to your home or workplace. Beyond device loans, they provide specialized training and workshops for businesses and organizations looking to improve accessibility and AT awareness.

Contact: Contact Us

Check out the latest Breakthrough Blog live now!

This month we have our first ever guest author, Drew Bufalini. Be sure to checkout their piece titled, "You Don’t Need Luck to Survive on Social Security...But It Helps."

Check it out here: https://tinyurl.com/DNWMLBlog

This is a blog from a guest author to highlight community voices and lived experiences shaped by disability policy. The views and suggestions described in this blog do not necessarily represent those of Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston.

This Tuesday’s Transition Tip is a review to some and introduction to others. It is important as special education providers/case managers that we create structured and detailed postsecondary transition plans for our students. The Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual is a guide to assist special education staff with creating complaint post-secondary transition plans. This guide contains a table of contents to help locate information quickly. The manual also gives insight on how not only to build a complaint transition plan but a quality transition plan. It includes links, videos, and an appendix to assist. Please take the time to read and review the Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual.

Washtenaw County Post-Secondary Transition Manual

The WISD Transition Services website has an assessment library with FREE electronic forms/materials. Check it out!

Also the WISD has a lending library of assessment and curricula resources using the WISD Destiny Library.

*When using student photos be sure to included photo release permissions.