Promoting Success after High School for Students with Special Needs

BLaST IU 17 is partnering with Pennsylvania College of Technology to host its first annual Transition Conference on March 15, 2019 at Klump Academic Center on the Penn College campus from 8:00-2:30.      This event is open to high school students with special needs and disabilities in 10th-12th grades, parents and community agency supporters.

“The transition from high school can be daunting for any student, and much more so for students needing extra support,” said Amy Wolfhope-Briggs, Director of Student Services for BLaST IU 17.  “We want to ensure they have the information and resources to help them succeed.”

This conference will provide breakout sessions in the areas of postsecondary transition:  education and training, employment and independent living.  In addition, postsecondary transition vendors will be on site to answer any questions about the services they offer.

“Our goal has been to provide a positive and informative event that will help this population of students be successful as they transition and for the rest of their lives,” shared Jeffrey Pelly, Transition Consultant for BLaST.

“This inaugural Transition Conference would not have been possible without the collaboration and teamwork of the BLaST IU 17, Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Disability Services Office, local community agencies and members of the community.  The Committee had a vision to create something that specifically focused on preparing students to move from the world of school to the world of adulthood.  It is exciting to see it come to fruition,” said Kay Dunkleberger, Director of Disability Services.

Adam Blank will be the keynote speaker for the event.   Adam is a gifted motivational speaker with challenges of visual impairment, albinism and autism who has an inspiring story to share.   His message of being bullied and overcoming has gained him recognition throughout the state of Pennsylvania.  You can learn more about Adam by visiting  https://bit.ly/2GvIRNj.

Registration information has been communicated to each local school district’s Special Education Director.  Some schools will be taking students as a group and will register the student.  If you are not being registered by a school, you can use the  following link to register  http://www.pct.edu/transition-conference.   The registration fee for the conference is $10.00 (lunch is included).  Anyone interested in supporting this conference with a donation is asked to contact Jeffrey Pelly at 570.323.8561 x1007.