Transition Resources During COVID-19 Outbreak
Guidance on Services During Restricted Access to Schools and Community Services
NTACT is aware that state and local education and service providers are challenged by the current health concerns, closings, and restrictions associated with COVID19. Guidance documents from the U.S. Department of Education and other relevant federal agencies are posted below. The U.S. Department of Education's mailbox for COVID-19 related questions is COVID-19@ed.gov. If questions are related to students with disabilties, please indicate "IDEA" in the subject line when submitting the email. Be sure to reference the federal guidance and your own state's guidance regarding the provision of services.
Please see general guidance from the US Department of Education and its Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, as well as specific State guidance through the website of the National Center on Systemic Improvement
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) Acting Assistant Secretary Mark Schultz held a stakeholder teleconference with vocational rehabilitation agencies and other grantees to share their questions and concerns about the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 across the United States and the challenges it poses for vocational rehabilitation agencies and the delivery of services. Please access the OSERS website to obtain the recording and transcript of this teleconference from the March 30 event.
National Clearinghouse of Rehabilitation Training Materials' April newsletter focuses on federal guidance and resources regarding COVID-19.
The Center for Disease Control has posted a series of ASL interpreted and captioned videos on COVID-19, including one focused on keeping students safe while out of school. CDC's School Reopening Guidelines
Additional resources, specific to transition-age students and youth are linked to or posted below.
NTACT Response to Questions on Extending Learning Beyond Exit due to COVID-19- Compiled_Q&As_Webinars2020_NTACT.pdf
- RSA faq vr fiscal management 4-28-2020
- Slides CASE Webinar 5 COVID19 April 17 2020.pdf
- RSA faq on WIOA Measures_3-26-2020
- OCTAE FAQ 3-31-2020
- NTACT Notes on Council for State Adminstrators of Special Education call
- Office of Career and Technical and Adult Education FAQ 3-27-2020
- NTACT Notes on US DOE Cross-Agency Call 3-20-2020 - links included
- RSA Frequently Asked Questions May 14, 2020
Transition Assessment and Planning Resources
NTACT has identified and gathered resources to assist educators, counselors, service providers, and families in providing instruction and other transition services during this restricted period of access to schools and community. A full list of reources is available, as well as resources specific to assessment and instructional planning.
A PBS feature regarding the challenges for some families during this period of time - tips and ideas included!
Transition Focused Instructional Resources
NTACT has hosted 4 webinars focused on the provision of transition focused education during this time while many students are at home, with limited access to school and their communities. Captioned recordings from each webinar are available below and in other sections of this portion of NTACT's website. You may also continue to engage in online discussions regarding the webinars at this link and click on any of the recent Ask the Expert events.
The Division of Career Development and Transition (DCDT) through the Council for Exceptional Children has hosted 2 "Town Hall Discussions: Transition in the Cloud". Resources that have already been collected are posted at this link on DCDT's website, www.dcdt.org. On Monday, May 11, 3:00 PM (Eastern) join DCDT regarding the use of apps and gaming to deliver transition services. Register here. Then, on Monday May 18, 3:00 (Eastern) join DCDT for resources on youth engagement and self-determination. Register here Finally, on Tuesday, May 26, 3:00 (Eastern) the DCDT Town Hall will focus on Community Mapping. Register here.
Resources for serving youth in the juvenile justice system during this period of time - from the National Juvenile Justice Network and the American Youth Policy Forum.
Recorded webinar of Transition Activities at Home_3-24-2020 (external link)
- Resources and Sample Transition-Focused Activities - No-Tech to High-Tech
- Postsecondary Education Preparation including Academic Instructional Resources
- Employment Preparation Instructional Resources
- Independent Living Skill Instructional Resources
Choice Boards-Final (1).docx- Participant Version - March 24 NTACT Webinar - 3.24.20-FINAL.pdf
- Q&A_Stay At Home Resources_Webinar
- Supporting Young Adults With Online Social Engagement (see webinar recording from 4-21-2020)
Employment Preparation Focused Instructional Resources
NTACT's April 7 webinar - co-presented by Michael Stoehr (NTACT) and Brenda Simmons (WINTAC) focused on the provision of one of the Pre-Employment Transition Services - Work Based Learning - during a time when students have limited access to their communities. Collaboration and new strategies are necessary. The resources below are intended to provide guidance for families, local practitioners, and the administrators who support them to provide meaningful work-based learning experiences for students and youth during the unusual period of the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Watch the recorded webinar from NTACT and WINTAC (April 7) and continue to participate in an ongoing discussion and resource sharing at the Transition Coalition site.
In addition to Guidance above, the Workforce Innovation National Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) is monitoring the COVID-19 situation and hosting an FAQ on its site, focused on employment services for individuals with disabilities.
- NTACT_at home_Employment_resources_4.10.2020.pdf
- Q&A_and Related Resources_WBLEVirtual_Webinar_4-10-20.pdf
- Participant Version Employment Preparation and WBLE in a Virutal World - April 7, 2020 Webinar.pdf
Participant Version Employment Preparation and WBLE in a Virutal World - April 7, 2020 Webinar (1).pptx
Resources Specifically Focused on Students with Complex Support Needs
NTACT, WINTAC, and Y-TAC hosted a webinar on April 14 focused on this topic. Resources for the webinar are below. Discussion on this topic may be continued on the Transition Coalition website. Some of the resources shared for this webinar are copyrighted material. These are provided as examples, models, and portions of full curricula and other resources for purposes of information sharing and knowledge development.
Additional resources related to supports for students with complex needs will also continue to be added to this section of NTACT's website.
Webinar for Direct Support Professionals during COVID-19 - National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals
- April 14 Webinar PowerPoint file
- April 14 Webinar PDF file
- April 14, 2020 - Q&A_and Related Resources_Strategies & Resources Students with Complex Support Needs.pdf
- 1. FIN - Parent-Virtual-Tips-SWD (1).pdf
- 2STOP-_1 (1).DOC
- 3. COVID-19 AND SOCIAL INSURANC.pdf
- 4. Revised Strategies & Resources in Distance Learning 4-14-20 NTACT Webinar.pdf
- 5. Pictorial Interest Inventory (1).pdf
- 6N2Y-U_2.PDF
- 7PHONE_1 (1).PDF
- 8. Chores Activities & Visuals (1).pdf
- 9. First-Then PIX.com Board Example (1).pdf
- 10HCTR_1 (1).PDF
- 11SAMP_1 (1).PDF
- 12FIVE_1 (1).PDF
Online Instruction Resources and Tips
Many K-12 schools, universities, and professional development providers of transition-focused personnel are moving to online instruction now and in the next few weeks. Below are a few resources to guide this process. NTACT is aware of the increased security/ privacy concerns through online learning and meeting platforms. While NTACT cannot provide legal guidance to your agency, below are some updated resources which may be useful.
U.S. Dept. of Ed. Interpretation of Digital as Accessible - CEC Policy Insider
Office of Civil Rights Short Video on Accessibility
Supporting Accessibility in Online Instruction - Resources from CAST
Resources from Educating All Learners
How to Keep Zoom Chats Private and Secure - Wired.com
Comparison of Online Meeting Platform Features - Captera
Tips for Setting Up Temporary Online Learning - NAIS
Wide Open School - Common Sense Media
Distance Learning Resources for Educators and Families (all grades - can select age/ grade/ subject of interest)
IRIS Module for Families Supporting Learning at Home
From NTACT's Q&A Document:
- One of my schools states that they aren't allowed to do group video chats with students due to privacy and seeing in the homes, etc. Perhaps exposing who has an IEP and 504 to other students?
- I love some of the tools for students to use remotely. What are your suggestions regarding getting information to students while being mindful of confidentiality of students with disabilities? Is information being emailed?
- Does facilitating online learning via group "hangouts" (similar to a webinar) violate student confidentiality?
Response: While NTACT cannot provide you with policy guidance, there is some guidance available. These articles in Education Week (Article 1 (Article 1, Article 2) examine the issues noted. (Viewing these articles may require a free login and pop-up ads from Education Week.) Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office published a Frequently Asked Questions document in March, 2020. Finally, CEC has developed some guidance for educators moving to online instruction, including insuring privacy and compliance with privacy regulations.
- US DOE Privacy Office_Virtual Learning_March-2020
- No-tech to High Tech Resources.pdf
- Compilation of Resources for Online Instruction of Transition-Age Students
- Best Practices for Educating Online by eLuma CEC.pdf
- Remember Accessibility in the Rush to Online Instruction_ 10 Tips for Educators.pdf
- IDC-IDEA-PartB-ConfidentialityChecklist.pdf
Examples from Other States
NTACT will share resources here that have been shared with us from states and other entities that may provide our stakeholders with examples to use in their work. We will post guidance documents and other resources that may be adapted, as useful.
Alaska's Website to Support Distance Teaching and Learning
Colorado Department of Education has created a web portal for guidance, resources, and access to "secondary transition weekly office hours" through the end of May.
Indiana University’s Secondary Transition Resource Center’s Tuesday’s Tips
Indiana's Electronic Signature (e-Signature) Guidance
Maryland's Technical Assistance for Secondary Transition During COVID-19
Nevada Department of Education's resource page
Virginia Department of Education Guidance and Resources on COVID-19
Transition TN COVID-19 Response and Virtual Transition Fairs in May