Community-Based Services (CBS), in partnership with Dutchess County, the Department of Behavioral and Community Health, and ThinkDIFFERENTLY, will be hosting a Transition Fair on May 25 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Arlington High School. Families with students in Dutchess County who have IEPs and 504s are invited to attend and learn about opportunities and resources available to them as they begin to plan for the next chapter of their children’s lives. Community organizations will be available to help families learn about opportunities and steps involved with the process of planning for life after high school, including:
• Transition Planning Services
• Career and Job Services
• Day Programs
• College and Continuing Education Programs
• Guardianship
• And more!

“As a father of a child with autism who is now entering adulthood, I know just how important events such as the Transition Fair are for families and their loved ones. Our ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative was created to make our community a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals of all abilities, and we are proud to partner with organizations such as Community Based Services who share our vision and continuously bring needed support and resources to those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” says Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro. While at the fair, families can choose to register for CBS’s transition planning services. The program, for high school age students with disabilities, offers families a streamlined process of learning about transition planning, community resources, OPWDD eligibility, and supports available after graduation. “Transition planning can be overwhelming, and many families don’t know what options are available for their children or what services they will be eligible to receive. The CBS transition coordinator assists students and caregivers in navigating the systems of care to meet transition goals. The program aims to increase awareness of options for career and vocational pursuits, higher education aspirations, day programs, and resources available to individuals with disabilities in Dutchess County, making sure every student has the supports they want and need to reach their goals and achieve their dreams,” says Transition Coordinator Jennifer Havrilla. The Transition Fair is paid for in part by Dutchess County through an Agency Partner Grant. For more information about the Transition Fair, contact Transition Coordinator Jennifer Havrilla via jhavrilla@commbasedservices.org or 914-236-1128.