Purpose/Function:

These post-secondary transition services are designed to assist students who are: both socially and behaviorally independent, identified with mild impairments, who have not received a diploma, and are on a course of study toward a Certificate of Completion, between the ages of 18-26 years old.

The function of the program is to promote the development of self-determination behavior through the acquisition of skills in the transition domains of post-secondary education, community participation, employment, and adult living.

Students who receive 85% skill acquisition based on program/community assessments will be exited from the program. Basic components will be instruction, transition services, and skill assessment in support of the four domains.

1. Instruction Services such as: choice making, decision making, problem solving, goal setting, self-advocacy and leadership, self-management and self-regulation, and self-awareness, personal finance, mobility training, independent responsibility and employability skills. Agency partnerships will be a critical feature to assist in meeting the program objectives.
     
2. Transition Services such as: job training, job shadowing, life skills, soft skills training, volunteer services, employment services, and vocational assessments.
     
3. Assessment Services such as: formal and informal transition assessments, interest inventories, adaptive behavior/daily living skills assessments, etc.

Frequency:

This program is operated year round, following the Lutz School for Work Experience calendar. The school hours will be on an alternate bell schedule.  Student must be 18 by September 1 to enter program. 

Referral Process:

1. Form 2 signed by Director of Special Education and guardian/adult student, is submitted to MISD Director of Center Programs.
      
2. If the referral is being made by a non-resident district, including an LEA/MISD Center Program, please send a copy of the referral to the Resident District.
      
3. For School-of-Choice (105-in-county) students in your district, you are the resident district, therefore no notification to any other district is required.
      
4. For School of Choice (105c out-of-county), a written cooperative agreement must be approved between the resident district, enrolling district, the resident ISD, and the Macomb ISD Assistant Superintendent of Special Education.

Catchment Areas:

There are two locations in the county where these services are located.

Referral materials must include:

• Current IEP
• Current REED or MET
• Current eligibility reports (Teacher Report, OT, PT, Speech, Social Work, Psychological)
• Adaptive Behavioral Assessment (as applicable)
• Current LEA Transition Assessment (must include)
• Education Development Plan (must include)
• Documentation of specific work based learning experiences and skills, such as: IVT/WBLA, district form, etc. (if available)
• Current Behavior Intervention Plan (as applicable)
• Post-Secondary Teacher Input Form (link below)
• Immunizations
• Birth Certificate

Referral Response:

1. After receiving the referral materials, the MISD Director of Center Programs will review the packet. The following may occur:
   - Contact LEA, missing information (this may delay process)
   - Determine appropriateness of referral to Macomb STEP Program.
     
2. If referral to Macomb STEP Program is determined appropriate:
   - A copy of Form 2A Report of Recommended Disposition will be sent to the appropriate administrator of the Macomb STEP Program and the Director of Special Education of the referring school district.
    
3. The sending district is responsible for all arrangements for the IEP.
   - The sending district is responsible for scheduling and inviting all appropriate participants to the IEP.
   - The Center Program TieNet Liaison will provide access to the Macomb STEP Program for the purpose of reviewing TieNet documents.
   - The sending district initiates the IEP (PLAAFP, Summary, Services, Macomb STEP Program will collaborate and establish goals).
   - The sending district designee chairs the meeting in cooperation with the receiving school administrator/designee.
    
4. Required members of the IEP Team at a minimum consist of:
   - The sending school district
   - The receiving school district
   - The resident district, if not the sending or receiving district
   - The parent and the student (if appropriate)
   - A General Education Teacher (if appropriate)

Outcomes:

If a center program placement is determined to constitute the least restrictive option for the student, the outcome is placement.

Exceptions:

1. STEP is designed for independent students.
2. Once goals are achieved individual students are to be exited from the education system.

Visitation Policy:

Referring LEA Director/Supervisor may contact Lutz School for Work Experience Administrator to discuss visitation.

Form Links:

Form 2 signed and dated by Parent and Special Education Director
Post-Secondary Teacher Input Form

Updated: August 2019