Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services recently held its first-ever Transition Night to guide students with developmental disabilities and families through the critical next steps after graduation. Transition Night connected families and students of Margaret B. Rost School and Bobbie B. Fairfax schools with experts from Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) and local providers to explore the range of services and supports available after graduation.
“Families don’t always know where to start, who to call, and what programs are out there,” shared Pam Traut, an instructor assistant at Rost. “This event gave families the chance to take that first step and talk one-on-one with providers to get information and ask questions.”
Transition Night addressed the unique needs of Rost and Fairfax students, many of whom require highly specialized support. It also offered a platform for providers to gain a deeper understanding of these needs and equipped families with knowledge of the different options available in the community.
Attendees heard informative presentations about potential day programs, behavior support options, and community navigation services, followed by personalized consultations with providers and HCDDS staff.
Parent feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Andre Booker, a parent of two Rost students, praised the informative nature of the event and advocated for it to continue in future years. Veronica Carnes, another parent, echoed this sentiment and said the event was “amazing” and “extremely helpful” in planning for her child’s transition to adult services.
Christina Hamberg, an HCDDS Family Engagement Coordinator, also highlighted the event’s impact: “The biggest takeaway for families was that HCDDS is here to support you in finding the best options in your journey with your child after graduation.”
Transition Night was held at Rost school where HCDDS provided dinner and childcare, ensuring families had the freedom to fully participate and engage with providers and experts. Families who couldn’t attend in person also had the option to participate virtually on Zoom.
“This event proved to be an important step in equipping every Rost and Fairfax student with the opportunity to thrive after graduation,” said Duerk Zinn, director of HCDDS school programs. “We’re excited to build on this success and committed to growing the resources available at next year’s Transition Night.”
