The Rhode Island Transition Council was established by state law on July 11, 1994 to assist in the transition of students with special needs from school to adult life. Responsibilities of the Transition Council include:
     •  Development and periodically revise a Cooperative Agreement among state
        departments;
     •  Oversee the implementation of the Cooperative Agreement;
     •  Issue guidelines and recommendations to state departments and agencies which
        will effectuate the Cooperative Agreement;
     •  Develop joint plans among state departments and school districts for providing
        transition services for students with special needs;
     •  Provide an annual report to the Governor, Children’s Cabinet and the General
        Assembly on the status of transition services and recommendations for improving
        opportunities for youth with special needs to make a successful transition from
        school to self-sufficient adult life.

The Vision of the Transition Council

To create a partnership among state agencies, parents, students with special needs and local education agencies. This partnership will serve to enable students and young adults with special needs to successfully transition to adult life in their community.

Membership of the Transition Council includes students, parents, representatives of local education agencies and the following state agencies:

     •  RI Department of Education/Office of Special Needs (Chair)
     •  RI Department of Education/Office of Research, High School Reform &
        Workforce Development
     •  RI Department of Mental Health, Retardation & Hospitals/Division of Integrated
        Mental Health
     •  RI Department of Mental Health, Retardation & Hospitals/Division of
        Developmental Disabilities
     •  RI Department of Human Services/Office of Rehabilitation Services
     •  RI Office of Higher Education
     •  RI Department of Children, Youth & Families
     •  RI Department of Labor & Training
     •  RI Department of Health

The RI Transition Council meetings are open to the public. The agenda and minutes  are posted with the RI Secretary of State.

Transition Council Meeting Schedule 2008-09

The RI Transition Council meetings are held from 2:00 to 4:00PM

RI Transition Council Meetings vary in location, please contact Mary Hagan for each meeting location at (401)222-8344 or Mary.Hagan@ride.ri.gov.

October 7, 2009
December 2, 2009
February 3, 2010
April 7, 2010
June 2, 2010

Transition Council Additional Information

J. David Sienko, Education Specialists
RI Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Office for Diverse Learners
255 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-8987
e-mail: david.sienko@ride.ri.gov