Community Transitions (CT)

Community Transitions (CT) program graduation was held from 6 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, June 9 at Depot Market Square. View a recorded live stream the event via the link below!

Community Transitions

Welcome to Community Transitions

Community Transitions (CT) is a Special Education program within Bellingham Public Schools that serves students through the age of 21. Students often encounter a new set of adult challenges which require different responses as they leave the high school setting. CT provides a full continuum of services intended to prepare students with mild to severe disabilities for a successful transition to independent living, employment and/or post-secondary training. Supports are individualized based on the student’s need. Staff, parents and the adult students work as a team to create and nurture partnerships with adult services, college staff and businesses in the local community to identify the best place to maximize each individual student’s potential for success.

To be eligible, a student should:

Not have taken their high school diploma.
Be able to be enrolled in Bellingham Public Schools.
Be supported by an Individual Education Program (IEP) and still need specially designed instruction.
Be recommended to participate by the IEP Team.

Curriculum/Courses

Developing relationships
Applied academics
Independent living
Leisure/recreation
Job skills
Goal setting/self-determination
Vocational experience
Transition support
Portfolio development
GradPoint

Program Information:

Community thank you!

Thank you to all the businesses and community members who have supported Community Transitions students throughout the 2020-21 school year by contributing to informational interviews, mock interviews, class outings, guest speakers, trial work experiences and paid employment.

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What is Special Education?
Getting Started
Our Special Education Programs
Notice of Special Education Procedural Safeguards for Students and Families
State and Federal Resources
Resources for Families
Special Education Parent Advisory Committee

What is Special Education?

Special Education is specialized instruction for students age Birth to 21 who qualify according to the laws and regulations outlined by state and federal government. A student may qualify for services in one of the areas as identified by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The following definitions are from the U.S. Department of Education website.

Getting Started

The district participates in "child find" - awareness and screening activities for the purpose of locating, identifying and evaluating children who are suspected of having disabilities and who may be in need of special education services. A student may also be referred for a special education evaluation by any source, including parents. The referral is to be made in writing and submitted to the building principal or designee. The Special Education Process

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Special Education? (from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction [OSPI] website)
How does Special Education work? (from the OSPI website)
What to do if you think your student needs Special Education service s? (from the OSPI website)
How does your student qualify for Special Education? (from the OSPI website)

Our Special Education Programs

Our district has a variety of programs to support families of students with special needs:

Birth to 2: Bellingham schools partners with community agencies to provide early intervention services through the Department of Early Learning (DEL) Early Supports for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program. Children ages Birth to Two who have delays in their development or have a physical or mental condition that is known to cause a delay in development may be eligible for early intervention services. These services are provided in a child’s natural environment which may include in their home or childcare program.
Preschool: Early childhood preschool programs provide a language-based curriculum to students ages 3-4 with developmental delays. Preschool programs are based in the following locations:
- Alderwood Elementary
- Birchwood Elementary
- Cordata Elementary
- Geneva Elementary
- Happy Valley Elementary
- Northern Heights Elementary
- Sunnyland Elementary
- Sehome High School
Resource: programs provide direct, integrated, and/or consultative services to students with mild to moderate disabilities in general education. Resource programs are based in every elementary, middle and high school.
Life Skills: Life Skills programs provide a functional academic and skill domain curriculum, with supported integration in general education and opportunities for community-based instruction to students with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. Life Skills programs are based in the following locations:
- Carl Cozier Elementary
- Columbia Elementary
- Cordata Elementary
- Wade King Elementary
- Fairhaven Middle
- Kulshan Middle
- Shuksan Middle
- Bellingham High
- Sehome High
- Squalicum HIgh
EBD (Emotionally/Behaviorally Disabled) BRIDGES: The "BRIDGES" programs provide an academic curriculum within a structured behavior management system, with integration or mainstreaming in general education, to students with moderate to severe behavioral disabilities. EBD programs are based in the following locations:
- Parkview Elementary
- Lowell Elementary
- Whatcom Middle
- Squalicum High
Community Transitions: The Community Transitions post-high school program provides transition classes, supported and independent vocational experiences, and linkages to adult services for students ages 18-21 with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities.
Itinerant Services: Itinerant services provide instruction and support to students who need:
- Physical Therapy
- Assistive Technology
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech Language Therapy
- Sign Language
- Aural Rehab Management
- Braille
- Diagnostic-Psychological intervention
- Autism Consultation
Out of District Placements: For students who need intensive services, the Bellingham Public Schools contracts with other providers including:
- Northwest ESD 189 - Whatcom Discovery

State and Federal Resources

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction - Special Education (OSPI) Washington State Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities Resources

Continuing Education Opportunities

Special Education Technology Center
Northwest Educational Service District 189
IEP 101 for Families
Paraeducator Trainings

Special Education Office Staff

Director: Mike Haberman, (360) 676-6458 Secretary: Deanna Bannerman (360) 676-6458 Assistant Director: Bethany Verner (360) 676-6458 Secretary: Joy Rawls (360) 676-6470 ext. 2042

Program Secretaries:

Coleen Aylen: (360) 676-6470 ext. 4408

Vickie Tapparo: (360) 676-6470 ext. 6833

Julie Webster: (360) 676-6517

Special Education Records Requests

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