Expect, Engage, and Empower: Successful Transitions for All!

• Video Message from Director Williams
• New Expect, Engage, and Empower Initiative
• Kickoff Webinar from May 10, 2023
• Additional Resources

As young adults prepare to move from school to postsecondary education, community living, and competitive integrated employment, effective transition planning can help them become independent, productive adults. Identifying the challenges children and youth will face as adults and preparing and assisting them to meet those demands successfully requires careful transition planning. Beginning at the earliest ages, it becomes imperative to balance realism of current levels of performance and functioning with high expectations for future possible successes and achievements. It is important to begin the transition planning process early to allow time for planning and accessing the support services needed in the future. The Supreme Court's decision in Endrew F v. Douglas County clarified that IDEA requires progress toward challenging objectives in light of the child's circumstances.  Therefore, families and practitioners must raise their expectations beyond the student just getting by academically and functionally. 

An Important Message from OSEP Director, Ms. Valerie C. Williams

During this inspiring video message, Director Williams talks about the importance of readying students with disabilities for lifelong success and introduces the Expect, Engage, and Empower initiative. 

New Initiative To Improve Postsecondary Outcomes for Students With Disabilities

In support of Secretary Cardona’s mission to improve equity across our nation’s schools, Director Williams is pleased to announce a new initiative to improve postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities: Expect, Engage, and Empower: Successful Transitions for All!

This initiative will challenge the field to join OSEP to raise expectations, engage families earlier, and empower all who support transition services to measurably and significantly improve postsecondary outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and their families. Every family that has an infant, child, or youth identified with a disability must be exposed to high expectations from day one. In order for improvement to occur, three things must happen:

• The education and vocational rehabilitation systems must work together,
• Critical discussions about the future and transition planning process must start sooner, and
• ALL students with disabilities should have the opportunity to learn about all post-secondary opportunities and make the best choice for themselves.

Our systems should be prepared to make their vision a reality by providing information about any needed support services, and proactively address needs.

Kickoff Webinar

On May 10, 2023 OSEP conducted its kickoff webinar for the Expect, Engage, and Empower: Successful Transitions for All! initiative, which featured perspectives from families, practitioners, and system change experts involved in transition for children and youth with disabilities.  The event was moderated by OSEP Director Valerie Williams and included remarks and discussion about the inherent challenges associated with successful transitions and the strategies and approaches to address those challenges to improve transition practices for students and families at all ages.  Click on the image below to watch the webinar.

Additional Resources 

Below you will find additional resources, please select from one of the categories - Families, Practitioners, and Employers/System Change to find additional transition-related resources.