Transition

      • Secondary transition refers to the process a student with a disability goes through as they move from high school to postsecondary endeavors, including postsecondary education, employment and independent living. In Florida, this begins at age 14 or earlier and may not end until 22 for students with significant disabilities.

        The term “transition services” or “transition planning” means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that:

        • Is 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 postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment); continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation
        • Is based on the individual child’s needs, taking into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests
        • Includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, if appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation.

        The statues and rule referenced below are specific to students with disabilities transitioning postsecondary life. Please refer to the Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules for a complete listing of laws and regulations applicable to exceptional student education.

      Transition Resources

      • Adult and Career Services Center (ACSC)
        The ACSC is a one-stop shop for locating education and training opportunities, career counseling, and workplace and educational workshops. An array of services is offered to adult learners seeking assistance in determining their employability interests/options and educational goals.
        Phone: (813) 231-1907

        Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
        APD works in partnership with local communities and private providers to assist people who have developmental disabilities and their families.
        Phone: 1-800-615-8720

        Aparicio-Levy Technical College
        Aparicio-Levy offers programs that prepare students for entry-level employment as well as offering courses to improve current job skills.
        Phone: (813) 740-4884

        Best Buddies Florida
        Offers One-to-One Friendship, Integrated Employment and Leadership Development programs – positively impacting nearly 104,640 individuals with and without disabilities in Florida.
        Phone: (813) 254-9025

        Bloomingdale Premier Care Center
        “Services we offer include adult day training center, behavior assistant, private duty nurse, respite and residential habilitation.”
        Phone: (813) 643-2093

        Brewster Technical College
        Brewster offers programs for students interested in Automotive Technology, Central Sterile Processing, Distribution and Logistics Management, Early Childhood Education, Industrial Machinery Maintenance, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Nursing as well as Programs for Adults with Disabilities.
        Phone: (813) 276-5448

        Career Programs for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Hillsborough County Public School
        Email: Keensha.Parham@sdhc.k12.fl.us
        Phone: (813) 231-1857

        CareerSource Tampa Bay
        CareerSource Tampa Bay offers a full range of career planning services for professional and entry level candidates. Employability Skills Training courses allow career seekers to build their resume, learn how to get the most out of Employ Florida Marketplace, build on their interview skills and gain some computer skills.
        Phone: (813) 930-7400

        Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)
        CARD provides information and consultation to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities.
        Phone: (813) 974-2532

        Department of Children and Families (DCF)
        DCF offers public assistance to eligible customers. Services include; food assistance program, medical assistance, temporary cash assistance, and general program information.
        Phone: (813) 558-5500

        Division of Blind Services 
        Helping blind and visually impaired Floridians achieve their goals and live productive and independent lives.  Services cover all ages.  Employers, Braille, Talking Book Library and Business Enterprise Programs are available. 

        Erwin Technical College
        Student Services program advisors and The Learning Center (TLC) personnel work jointly to serve the needs of students with disabilities.
        Phone: (813) 769-5180

        The Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities provides support to students, families, and institutions of higher education so that students with intellectual disabilities have opportunities for on-campus college experiences that lead to employment opportunities.

        Florida Consortium on Inclusive Higher Education
        Provides information on Florida’s inclusive college programs for students with intellectual disabilities.
        Phone: (407) 823-1099

        Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
        FDLRS/Hillsborough services the Hillsborough County Public Schools and provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district personnel serving students with disabilities.
        Phone: (813) 837-7777

        Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System (FDLRS) Parent Services Information
        The Parent Liaison project is supported by Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) and Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS). Each liaison works closely with area district schools and staff and is a parent of a child who currently receives, or has received, Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services through HCPS.
        Email: fdlrsparentservices@hcps.net
        Phone: (813) 837-7732 (English); (813) 837-7728 (Spanish)

        Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
        “To provide information, referrals, support, training, and assessments for the benefit of children and youth who are deaf/hard of hearing and /or blind/visually impaired.”
        Phone: (904) 827-2200

        Florida Youth Leadership Forum (FYLF)
        The purpose of YLF is to bring together high school students with disabilities, creating a network of support while making them aware of the various education and employment resources available to them as they reach the age of independence. The goal is to inspire all participants to strive for the highest level of independence possible.
        Phone: (850) 224-4493 ex. 225

        Gary Adult Education
        Gary Adult offers credit classes for students working toward a high school diploma. Gary Adult also offers Under-age and Adult GED programs as well as a Program for Students with Disabilities.
        Phone: (813) 740-7660

        Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)
        HART serves the people of Hillsborough County with affordable public transportation.
        Phone (813) 254-4278

        Hillsborough Community College, Services for Students with Disabilities (HCC)
        HCC enjoys a very diverse student population which includes students with disabilities.
        Phone: Dale Mabry Campus (813) 259-6035, Brandon Campus (813) 253-7914, Plant City and MacDIll Campuses (813) 757-2209, Southshore Campus (813) 253-7000, and Ybor Campus (813) 253-7757

        Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation (Therapeutic Programs)
        All People’s Life Center is known as one of the County’s showcase facilities, and it is home base for the Therapeutics Program.
        Email: Melinda.Wheatley@hcps.net
        Phone: (813) 744-5978

        Job Corp
        Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training.
        Phone: (727) 551-2900

        Learey Technical College
        Learey provides professional resources and training to adult learners resulting in a highly qualified workforce.
        Phone: (813) 231-1840

        Learning Ally
        A national non-profit dedicated to helping students with print disabilities, including blindness, visual impairment and dyslexia.
        Phone: 1-800-221-4792

        Learning Your Function (LYF)
        LYF is a tailored training model that will focus on individualized goals in the area of functional academics, appropriate behavior skills, employment, and independence.
        Phone: (813) 469-2455

        Lighthouse for the Blind and Low Vision 
        Lighthouse for the Blind and Low Vision provides rehabilitation programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, so they can perform daily tasks independently and maintain employment. 

        MacDonald Training Center
        At MacDonald Training Center (MTC) we “empower people with disabilities to lead the lives they choose.”

        Project 10
        “Project 10: Transition Education Network is Florida’s statewide discretionary project supporting the secondary transition of youth with disabilities.”
        Phone: (727) 873-4661

        Quest Inc.
        Quest helps people with disabilities achieve their dreams of going to school, having a job, living on their own, and experiencing summer camp.
        Phone: (813) 423-7700

        Self Reliance Inc.
        Self Reliance promotes independence through empowering persons with disabilities.
        Phone: (813) 375-3970

        Social Security Administration
        A program through the federal government that is administered by the Social Security Administration. Social Security Benefits are able to provide monetary assistance to individual of all ages with a disability who meet specific criteria. There are programs for work incentives.
        Phone: 1-800-772-1213

        Success 4 Kids and Families (S4KF)
        We are a non-profit, in-home treatment program for families operating out of Hillsborough County.
        Phone: (813) 490-5490

        Sunrise Community
        “Our mission is to provide people with disabilities the assistance and support necessary to enable them to live valued lives in the community.”
        Phone: (813) 830-7823

        The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)
        FAAST serves Floridians with disabilities by providing free access to information, referrals, educational programs, publications in accessible formats and funding opportunities for assistive technology.
        Phone: 1-850-487-3278

        University of South Florida, Students with Disabilities Services (USF)
        USF strives to ensure students with disabilities participate in all aspects of university life.
        Phone: (813) 974-4309

        VSA Florida
        The mission of VSA Florida is to provide, support and champion arts education and cultural experiences for and by people with disabilities.
        Phone: (813) 974-0721

        Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
        (VR) is a federal-state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get and keep a job.
        Phone: (813) 233-3600

      Transition Contacts