- Gwinnett County School District
- Welcome
Toolkit for Families of Students with Special Needs
Page Navigation
-
Welcome
- Special Education Acronyms
- Understanding the IEP Process
- Role of Parents and Families in the IEP
- Parental Rights
- IEP Meetings vs. Parent-Teacher Conferences
- IEP Meeting Resources
- Communicating for Your Child
- Programs and Instructional Resources in GCPS
- Supporting Your Child at Home
- Transition Planning with the IEP Team
- Transfer of Rights
- Roadmap to Transition
- Community Resources
- GCPS Parent Mentor – Dawn Albanese
- Reference websites
-
Planning for the Future - Community Resource Guide
Below are links to community resources needed to prepare for the transition to post-secondary outcomes.
*These links are not maintained nor endorsed by Gwinnett County Public Schools.
-
College Resources (4 year)
Resources for students planning to attend college for 4 years.
Content Accordion
-
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment offers high school students the opportunity to take courses at local technical schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities while still being enrolled in courses at their high school. Students earn credit for both college and high school.
-
GA Futures
Federal Aide & scholarships, college planning, career exploration and other resources.
-
Promotion & Graduation Requirements
-
University System of Georgia
Higher education institutions including research universities, comprehensive universities, state universities and state colleges.
-
College Resources (2 year)
Resources for students planning to attend college for 2 years.
Content Accordion
-
Technical College System of Georgia
Technical education, adult education, and customized business and industry training through programs that use the best available technology and offer easy access to lifelong education and training through programs that use the best available technology and offer easy access to lifelong education and training for all adult Georgians and corporate citizens.
-
Inclusive Post-Secondary Education
Post-Secondary Education experience for students with Intellectual Disabilities to continue academic, career and technical, and independent living instruction.
Content Accordion
-
GA Inclusive Post-Secondary Education
Programs that provide access to people with intellectual disabilities to postsecondary education.
https://gcdd.org/about/105-general-content/3056-inclusive-post-secondary-education-ipse.html
-
Think College
Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving research and practice in inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disability.
-
Competitive Employment
Full or part-time employment in which individuals are compensated for their work.
Content Accordion
-
Academies & Career & Technical Education
Courses prepare high school students for post-secondary education and training for in-demand, high-skill, and high-wage careers. Beginning in 6th grade through 12th grade.
https://www.gcpsk12.org/domain/11888
-
Career One Stop
Learn about careers, find career information, and locate career resources and advice with CareerOneStop.
https://www.careeronestop.org/
-
Work Based Learning
Allows high school students to graduate from high school with real-world work experience.
https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/30531
-
Work Source ATL
WorkSource is designed to provide money and support to guide you through the process to find employment. We'll assess your skills, provide training, and help you find the job -- or career -- that's right for you.
-
Supported Employment
Individuals with disabilities who express a desire and have a goal for employment while demonstrating a need for support to locate, obtain, and maintain paid employment.
Content Accordion
-
Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI)
To empower people with differing abilities to maximize their potential by securing economic self-sufficiency, independence, and inclusion within their communities.
-
Briggs & Associates
Supported employment agency with expertise in developing positions in a wide variety of industries.
https://www.briggsassociates.org/wordpress/
-
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)
Helps people with disabilities become fully productive members of society by achieving independence and meaningful employment.
-
Goodwill Industries
Helps people improve their lives by assisting individuals to find a job and grow their careers.
https://www.goodwill.org/about-us/
-
Tommy Nobis Center
Provide job training, employment, and vocational support for youth and adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
https://tommynobiscenter.org/about-us/
-
Day Program
A place outside of the home for adults with disabilities to be active in the community and connect with peers.
Content Accordion
-
Annandale
Annandale Village is the only non-profitm residential community in the entire southeastern United States that serves adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries at all levels of care throughout an individual's lifetime. The mission of Annandale Village is to provide progressive life assistance so our Villagers can maximize their abilities and maintain their independence in the least restrictive environment.
-
Autumn's Gift
Fun, customized, inclusive, guilt-free respite care experiences and day programs.
-
Creative Enterprises
We are Creative Enterprises, and our Day Program offers a wide array of opportunities for adults with disabilities funded through the Medicaid waiver funds and also self-funded. We contract with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation and offer employment for people with barriers to employment.
https://creativeenterprises.org
-
Exceptional Foundation of Atlanta
The Exceptional Foundation of Atlanta provides purpose and community to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have aged out of public schools at age 22. The EFAtl day program provides opportunities for lifelong learning, access to the community, as well as social and recreational opportunities. Exceptional Summer camp programming available to individuals 16 years old and up.
-
Great Prospects, Inc.
Provides a meaningful place where young adults can continue to grow, socialize, gain skills, have new experiences, receive peer support, and be part of a community. We also offer a summer program for those still in high school, ages 16-21!
-
Happy Feat
Happyfeat offers two major programs, a summer camp and day program. Our day program is geared for individuals who have aged out of the school system. Our hours are 9AM - 3PM. We also host a variety of events in our community throughout the year.
-
Hi Hope Service Center
Hi-Hope Center offers day, residential, and employment services for adults with intellectual disabilities.
-
"Just" People, Inc.
"Just" People, Inc. is a private non-profit organization that's mission is to provide a variety of support services to adults with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and head injuries.
-
The Next Stop Foundation
The Next Stop's program provides large and small peer groups with personal mentor leadership to encourage members as they engage in planned activities. These activities allow supported opportunities for social engagement, recreation and leisure participation, and life application learning. Engaging in supported and cooperative group activities allow members the opportunity to practice appropriate social skills, further their own learning and skills, and experience success and the pride of accomplishment alongside their peers.
-
Rosary Makers of America
We are a vocational center located in Stone Mountain, GA that works with special-needs adults, to create hand-crafted prayer beads, namely handmade rosaries. We offer a safe space for young adults to gain practical experience, community interaction, practice social skills and learn independence. Our work centers around beading, using this craft as a tool to engage the hands and the mind in creating unique works of art and methods of self-discovery and, above all, serving our neighbors and the community.
-
St. Mary's Independent Living Extensions (SMILE)
A nonprofit organization of trained caregivers who work around-the-clock to enrich the lives of adults with developmental disabilities by maximizing independence, breaking down barriers and advocating for greater community access.
https://sites.google.com/a/smile4.info/smile/
-
WOW In-Sync, Inc.
Provides training and support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism to help them integrate more fully into business and community.
-
Y'ALLS
Guides adults with mild to moderate disabilities in the workplace, community, and home.
-
Additional Resources
Content Accordion
-
Family Support Services
Funding source based on the unique needs of individuals and their families.
https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/be-compassionate/home-services/family-support-services
-
Guardianship
Begin considering at age 17 in preparation for the Transfer of Rights at 18 years old. Guardianship is a legal proceeding in which someone (usually a family member) asks the court to find that a person is unable to manage his/her own affairs effectively because of his/her disability.
Gwinnett Guardianship: https://www.gwinnettcourts.com/probate/Guardianship-and-Conservatorship-of-an-Adult
Applications: https://www.gwinnettcourts.com/probate/Guardianship-and-Conservatorship-of-an-Adult
Pro Bono Probate Clinic: https://www.gwinnettcourts.com/probate/pro-bono
-
NOW/COMP Medicaid Waiver
Money that may be used to pay for services for a person with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. Services can take place in the home or in the community.
Medicaid Waiver Online Application: https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/waiver-programs
-
Parent Mentor
Offer parent trainings and information resources about transition planning, agencies that support individuals with disabilities, Medicaid waivers, special education concerns, community resources, and other information related to disabilities and special education.
GCPS Parent Mentor: Dawn Albanese
Email: dawn.albanese@gcpsk12.org
-
Parent to Parent GA
Supports Georgia families and individuals impacted by disabilities or special health care needs.
-
Service Provider Database
Supports Georgia families and individuals impacted by disabilities or special health care needs.
https://www.p2pga.secure.force.com/Provider
-
Social Security Income (SSI)
-
Transition Fair
Assists parents, students with disabilities and educators with life after high school. The goal of the Transition Fair is to provide information and resources to parents to help with preparation for their child's future.
https://www.gcpsk12.org/Page/32404