The document contains three issues of the newsletter of the Research and Training Center to Improve Services for Seriously Emotionally Handicapped Children and Their Families. The first issue is introduced with an article titled "Re-Thinking Emotional Disturbances in Children," by Thomas M. Young. Topics covered include the following: issues…

The concept of transition of an individual with a disability from school to adult environments is presented from the perspective of the educator's role. The educator's role is perceived as: (1) an "expert" on the needs of individuals with mental disabilities and the barriers they face when they move from the educational environment to…

These proceedings are the outcome of a 2-day conference involving education, health, and human service providers who work with children and youth with handicapping conditions across Washington State. The conference's purpose was to bring representatives from interagency teams together to exchange information about how the interagency teams…

This state improvement plan outlines goals and objectives for improving special education services to students with disabilities in Wisconsin. The first goal (students with disabilities will demonstrate skills which will engage them to become independent, productive, and included citizens in society) contains objectives that address graduation…

This paper discusses the results of a study that investigated the effectiveness of the Vermont Best Practices for Educating Students with Serious Emotional Disturbances in Their Local Public Schools and Communities project. The purpose of the project was to use best practices in the development of programs and services for students with serious…

This newsletter issue reviews the research and literature on issues and best practices in programs to facilitate the transition of students with disabilities to adult life. First, the definition of transition services under the 1997 Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is presented and explained. Next, a…

This final report discusses the outcomes of Project STEPS (Sequenced Transition to Education in the Public Schools), an outreach project designed to provide training and technical assistance to states and territories in the development of a statewide transition system for children with disabilities, birth through 5 years of age. The focus of the…

Discusses a model of effective transition services for youth with emotional and behavioral disorders. Project RENEW provides comprehensive case coordination for these students' ongoing education, employment, and community adjustment. Outcome data indicate that interagency collaboration improved on a pretest-posttest measure of agency…

To address the difficult problem of transition from school to adult community services for students with learning disabilities (LD), this article provides information on available community agencies, the resources they offer, and ways school personnel might work with these agencies in an effort to enhance successful transitions for individuals…

This manual provides detailed, step-by-step information on developing and writing an interagency agreement to facilitate the transition of young (age 3) children with disabilities from early intervention programs into preschool educational services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Worksheets are provided throughout…

This manual provides information to assist individuals in working together more effectively to provide comprehensive services and improve outcomes for children with special health care needs. The manual emphasizes the need for a union of services that places the child and family at the center and exists to provide educational, medical/health, and…

This monograph is intended to provide guidance to state, school district, and building-level personnel, and family organizations as they strive to comply with the transition requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The monograph includes: (1) a description of the importance and intent of transition services for youth…

The educational processes for youth who participated in a county-run correctional facility for juvenile offenders were studied. The county's Leadership Academy, a 48-bed correctional treatment center where juveniles are placed when ordered into direct care, is designed to divert repeat male offenders from the state-run correctional system. The…

This report outlines the proceedings of a symposium held to discuss ways of strengthening linkages and transitions between pre-kindergarten programs and early elementary school. The 63 symposium participants included Head Start representatives, elementary school teachers and principals, state and federal department of education employees,…

This report examines efforts in Idaho to provide transition information and planning to secondary students with disabilities and their families. It offers an ideal profile of best transition practices. It then reports on a survey of 247 teachers, 170 principals, and 105 special education directors/superintendents in Idaho. The survey examined: (1)…