The Arc of Texas Transition Works Conference to Talk Successful Transitions and Support for Disabilities

SAN ANGELO, TX – This Saturday, The Arc of Texas is sponsoring Transition Works will host its second annual conference in San Angelo and educate parents, family members, guardians, and teachers of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities on successful transitions throughout life, as well as available community-based support.

At the conference, 28 different agencies will be participating, including Medicaid, Social Security, The Arc of San Angelo, Workforce Solution, and Guardianship Alliance. Valerie Moos, Education specialist in the ESC Region 15, said she believes the agencies presentations will “help parents determine the next step they need to take in their children’s lives.” Moos also said she hopes this event will answer any questions or concerns people may have, and “inform them on what opportunities are out there for help [because] there are so many local agencies that many parents and family members are not aware of.”

Moos added that she wants parents and adults to understand that “being successful after high school is possible.” One of the most common misconceptions about students with disabilities is that they will never achieve success after graduating high school. However, Moos hopes to change people's perceptions. She said she believes “every student can be successful at something.”

“Their success may not look the same as everybody else’s, but we have to look at each child as an individual and determine what success will look like for [her or him] and then work together to determine how we can make that happen,” said Moos. 

Highlights of the conference include a keynote speaker addressing the attendees at 9 a.m., as well as multiple breakout sessions led by the invited agencies beginning at 10 a.m.. Below is the schedule of events.

Currently, Transition Works has over 30 parents and/or teachers registered. The agency's goal this year is to have 100 people registered, and for parents, family members, guardians, and teachers to have the opportunity to gain as much knowledge as possible.

The Transition Works Conference will be held in the CARR Education – Fine Arts Building at ASU located at 2602 Dena Drive. The conference is free to anyone who wants to attend. Registration will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. To register ahead of time, please contact either Valerie Moos at 325-481-4053, or at [email protected], or Sharon Vick at 325-658-6571, or at [email protected]. It is never too late to register, and registration at the door is welcomed. The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.; lunch will be provided.