Rolla, Missouri Hospital Transition Program

The Rolla Hospital Transition Program was created in order to enhance the success of students with disabilities upon graduation. Activities that the students enrolled participate in include:

• field trips to local businesses to explore career choices
• job shadowing at local businesses to evaluate individual job potential
• simulated work centers at the high school teach hands-on training needed in the workforce
• participation in vocational training at the Rolla Technical Institute
• continued work-study employment offered after graduation through local businesses
• monthly parent meetings to help establish communication between parents and the high school, as well as many local agencies

Students participate in the Rolla Hospital Transition Program until they are 21 years old or until he/she has met the curriculum requirements. This allows students of all abilities to move through the program at their own pace.

WHEN AND HOW IT BEGAN

The Rolla Hospital Transition Program was started in response to the dropout rates and frustration of students with disabilities in the Rolla School District. The need was seen to have students graduate with job skills.

HOW IT IMPACTS TRANSITION

Job placement and retention and student success has increased by at least 75%. Parent involvement in the IEP and transition planning has risen by 98%. Students with disabilities are introduced to all types of jobs available upon graduation and the local businesses have been able to get to know and feel more comfortable employing students with disabilities.