Our Purpose
The Transition Collaborative aims to improve transition planning and outcomes for students with disabilities who qualify for services offered by the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), and would give all school districts the opportunity to participate.
Supporting Students with Disabilities as they Transition after Graduation
This work has three main goals:
- To review and recommend existing resources for school districts to improve transition planning for all students with disabilities in Washington State
- To minimize gaps in transition services from school to post-school life for students with disabilities
- To develop recommendations to support students with disabilities and their families, stakeholders, and service providers in successfully navigating the transition process in Washington State
Upcoming Events
Listening Sessions
The Transition Collaborative is hosting a series of listening sessions to gather input on how to improve transition services for students with disabilities as they move from school to adult life. These sessions are part of a statewide effort to update a report for the Legislature, and feedback will help shape future planning and recommendations.
There are four sessions designed for different groups: a community session for students, family members, and advocates; a session for educators; a session for Community Rehabilitation providers; and an Association of County Human Services session (this session has already passed).
Registration for the sessions, advance materials (including a video explanation, a report summary in both document and slide deck formats, and a plain language companion guide), and a feedback form are all available below. The feedback form is due by April 30th for those who would like to provide input on the report.
Register for the Listening Sessions
Educator Listening Session
See flyer for details.
Community Listening Session for Students, Family Members and Advocates
See flyer for details.
Community Rehabilitation Providers Listening Session
Review the Advance Materials
Listening Session Prep Video
Hear from Emily Rogers, Public Policy Director at the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, and Ivanova Smith, Community Collaborations Program Manager with Developmental Disabilities Community Services' Home and Community Living Administration, about upcoming Transition Collaborative listening sessions. Learn why community input matters, who is encouraged to participate, and how your feedback will help improve the transition from school to adult life for students with disabilities across Washington.
Watch the videoTransition Collaborative Summative Report
The report document is a working draft of the 2026 Transition Collaborative Summative Report that shares early findings and ideas and will be updated based on feedback from listening sessions. The slide deck outlines the purpose of the sessions, key background information, and the questions that will guide the discussion.
Read the summative reportSummative Report Plain Language Companion Guide
This guide is designed to help educators, families, students, and community partners understand the key ideas in the Transition Summative Report before participating in listening sessions. You do not need to read the entire report to participate. This guide highlights the most important points and explains them in plain language so you can come prepared to share your experiences and ideas.
Select your language below to read the companion guide.
Feedback - Due by April 30th
In addition to attending listening sessions, there are two additional methods to provide input on the draft report and appendices:
Transition Collaborative Listening Session Feedback Form
Written feedback
Historical Information
2024
- May 2024 - Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5253: E2SSB 5253 directing both the extension to 22 for Special Education eligibility and the submission of an updated report on transition services to the legislature due October 2026.
- November 2024: The Washington Transition Partnership Map was developed to provide a high-level summary to assist individuals and families in learning about and connecting to transition services for which they may be eligible as students plan for their transition from high school. Learn more and find the map on the Washington State Rehabilitation Council's website.
2022
- April 2022 - Senate Bill 5790 (SB5790) (external website) passed with four areas of focus: Statewide School to Work, Data Share agreement, Statewide Transition Council & Regional Interagency Transition Networks, and System Navigation Supports
- November 2022 – Transition Collaborative Updates & Next Steps
2020
- Transition Collaborative Summative Report (external website)
- January 2020 – Informational webinar to share updates (PDF file)
- September 2020 – Transition Collaborative Live Q&A session (PDF File)
2018
- Provisos in the 2018 and 2020 Supplemental Operating Budgets require the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), in collaboration with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), to develop an implementation plan for building statewide capacity among school districts to improve transition planning activities for students likely to become eligible for services from DDA.
