• Cobb County School District has several options for students who are over 18 years old and have completed the academic and testing requirements for graduation, but are still eligible for services.
• Students must apply to participate in all Transition Services programs.
• Applications for Transition Services Programs are only available to students who have participated in the Georgia Alternative Assessment (GAA).
• Applications are given out twice a year and students may begin a program at the beginning of fall or spring semester.
• Transition Services Programs include the Transition Academies, SETS Program, and Corporate Classroom.

The Transition Academy (TA) is a unique program for students 18 and over who have participated in an alternative high school curriculum and the Georgia Alternative Assessment (GAA).

• The Transition Academies provide qualifying students a functional program designed to support and facilitate the move from school to post-school life.
• The Transition Academy Independent Living Skills (TAILS) curriculum used in the TA focuses on instruction in adult living and daily living skills.
• Community based training and experiences are built into the program.
• If a student is accepted into a Transition Academy, he/she is assigned to one of four locations based on their current address.
• Transition Academy locations are:
  • Hillgrove High School
  • Kennesaw Mountain High School
  • Osborne High School
  • Pope High School.
• There are four TA classes:
  • Community Skills Class
  • Independent Living Class
  • Daily Living Class
  • Socialization and Engagement Class (currently only available at Hillgrove High School)
• Transition Academy Flyer

Students Exploring Transition Services

The Students Exploring Transition Services (SETS) program is for students who have been on an alternative curriculum, who have completed all academic and testing requirements for graduation, and who are at least 18 years old.

• Students are introduced to adult responsibilities through community based instruction and volunteer opportunities in businesses that are located on Kennesaw State University’s main campus and Marietta campus.
• In addition to the application, an interview is required for acceptance into this program.
• Students in this program require a high level of independence as they are asked to volunteer for up to 2 ½ hours at a time with little to no direct supervision from a teacher.
• Transportation is provided, via a Special Education bus, unless parents provide transportation. SETS students who choose to drive themselves to campus will be required to pay for parking.
• Students are required to have a functioning cell phone daily, must be able to communicate via cell phone, and are often responsible for providing their own lunch.
• SETS Flyer

Corporate Classroom Website

• The Corporate Classroom program has been developed to give young adults ages 18-21 the opportunity to develop marketable vocational skills through job immersion. Corporate Classroom students start off as supervised, unpaid interns in Cobb County School District location. Locations used in the past include, the Central Office, Kennesaw Warehouse, Transportation Office, Financial Services Office, and Human Resources.  As interns’ vocational skills increase, they are allowed greater independence and less full time supervision from a teacher.  They are also provided the opportunity to continue their internships in businesses matched to their skills and interests.
• The goals of Corporate Classroom are for the interns to learn important job skills and build a resume of work experience that will eventually lead to successful employment. In addition to the application, a student and parent interview is required for acceptance into the program. Transportation is not provided for Corporate Classroom students.

• The goal of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (VR) is to help people with disabilities become fully productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment.
• VR does this by providing assessment, employment counseling, job training, and job support. Most services provided by VR are free of charge.
• Students are, generally, referred to VR during their senior year of high school. The VR Transitional Counselor will work with the TRS at each school to schedule any needed evaluations and to complete a work plan for students.
• Students in Cobb County School District high schools are served by the VR office located in Marietta.
• VR uses a variety of service providers to help individuals with disabilities achieve their employment goals.
• Please explore the GVRA website for more information

• Ken’s Krew 
• Ken’s Krew enables individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to successfully enter the workforce by providing access to good jobs and to professional training and support to prepare for and sustain employment.
• Ken’s Krew’s model includes one-on-one skills assessment, vocational training, job access and continuous support.
• Ken’s Krew in our area partners with The Home Depot.
• Applications can be found on the Ken’s Krew website.

Goodwill Industries

From the Goodwill website:

Goodwill® is a 501(c)3) nonprofit that strives to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by helping people reach their full potential through education, skills training and the power of work. Goodwill meet the needs of all job seekers, including programs for youth, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, criminal backgrounds and other specialized needs.

BDI

From the BDI website:

Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI) helps people of differing abilities maximize their potential through supportive services. BDI offers a continuum of support for all ages, stages and levels of need for people with disabilities and their families. BDI also operates several social enterprises in order to fund its programs and to place people with differing abilities in inclusive-minded work spaces. These business services include: Call Centers & Switchboard Operations, Mailroom Management, Warehouse Services and Hospitality & Food Service. BDI began as a program at All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) in 1960. After decades apart, the two organizations merged in 2018 to reconnect their shared mission and better serve those with disabilities.

Work Source Cobb

From the Work Source Cobb website:

As Cobb County’s American Job Center, WorkSource Cobb provides access to a system of employment and education services for our community. In an increasingly complex workforce and economy, people sometimes need guidance and assistance in managing their career development, particularly when challenged with unexpected events. WorkSource Cobb provides workforce services that assist people in helping themselves and their families.

Tommy Nobis Center

From the Tommy Nobis Website:

Tommy Nobis Center, founded in 1977, began with three individuals dedicated to helping the community and has since grown into an organization that provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities. Based in Metro Atlanta, Tommy Nobis Center has worked for over 40 years and across 19 states to provide education, training and support to those with barriers to employment.

• SSI
• Individuals who receive SSI automatically qualify for Medicaid
• Families need to be educated about SSI work incentives and income limits in order to help young adults work without losing benefits
• Shepherd Center Benefits Navigator Program is a free service and can help guide Cobb families who already receive SSI benefits.
• Vocational Rehabilitation also has benefits navigators.
• Right in the Community and Parent to Parent of Georgia also have periodic trainings to help families understand SSI benefits.
• Age of Majority
• Part of a student’s transition is taking on adult responsibilities once they reach the age of majority, which in Georgia is age 18.
• At age 18, parents or guardians no longer make IEP decisions, unless they obtain guardianship or Power of Attorney.
• Parents are still invited to IEP meetings.
• Guardianship
• Guardianship allows the parent or guardian to retain control over an adult child’s health and wellbeing.
• Can apply when your child is 17 ½
• Examine the pros and cons
• If you are planning to get guardianship, plan for the expense
• Guardianship takes all of an individual’s rights unless specified in court
• There is a cost to file for guardianship ($700+)
• *Piece of advice: If wanting to use an attorney to file for guardianship, choose one that charges a flat fee ($1000-$1500) not hourly.
• Conservatorship
• Conservatorship allows the parent or guardian to retain control over an adult child’s finances (money and property)
• Conservators must report to the court once a year.
• Conservatorship can be obtained at the same time as guardianship
• Power of Attorney
• An individual has to agree to Power of Attorney
• Power of Attorney can be revoked by adult child
• Power of Attorney gives parent or guardian broad legal authority over individual’s affairs
• Special Power of Attorney can be limited to certain things ex. Medical, Financial, Personal or Educational
• Individuals can keep their rights (marry, sign contracts)
• There is no fee unless you choose to use a service

• NOW/Comp Waivers 
• There are several types of Waiver programs in the state of Georgia. These Waiver programs help people who are elderly or have disabilities and need help to live in their home or community instead of an institutions.
• The most common type of Waiver programs required to provide support for students with significant disabilities who are transitioning out of high school are the New Options Waiver (NOW) and the Comprehensive Supports Waiver (Comp).
• Applications for NOW/Comp Waivers can be completed as early as three years old. Once individuals are approved for a waiver, they are usually put on a long-term waiting list. It is best to apply for NOW/Comp Waiver services as early as possible. Children who are receiving services through a Katie Beckett/Deeming Waiver are still eligible to apply for and be put on a waiting list for a NOW/Comp Waiver.
• Post-secondary supports provided by NOW/Comp Waivers include, but are not limited to:
• Group community access (Day progam)
• Individual community access
• Supported Employment
• Community Residential Alternative (Group home)
• Respite Services
• Transportation Services
• Support Coordination Services
• Financial Support Services
• Katie Beckett/Deeming Waiver
• The Deeming Waiver, also known as the Katie Beckett waiver, allows the state to waive Medicaid income restrictions for faimilies in order to provide services for children (18 or younger) with significant disabilities.
• Community Care Services Program (CCSP) 
• CCSP is a Medicaid waiver program that provides a range of community-based services to assist individuals who are physically disabled. Participants must meet the same medical, functional and financial eligibility criteria as for placement in a nursing facility under Medicaid and be approved by a physician.
• Other Waivers 
• There are several other Waiver programs designed to help people who are elderly or have disabilities and need help to live in their home or community instead of a hospital or nursing home. Each program offers several “core” services.

Transition Talk: A Night with Vendors