Transition Planning for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Youth

Too often, culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) youth with disabilities have a tougher road to adulthood than their Caucasian peers with disabilities. Reverse the odds with this concise how-to book, the first guide to easing the complex transition process for CLD students with a wide range of special needs.

A veteran trainer of transition specialists, Gary Greene is one of the foremost experts on helping students with disabilities launch successful adult lives. Combining his 25 years of experience with the latest research on cultural and linguistic diversity, this evidence-based quick-guide teaches readers key skills and best practices in culturally responsive, family-centered transition planning. Professionals who work with young adults from ages 14 to 22 will

• understand the special challenges CLD families may face during the transition process, including cultural biases, immigration issues, and limited English proficiency
• develop culturally responsive transition IEPs
• prepare the IDEA-required Summary of Functional Performance (SOP) documents
• minimize conflict and strengthen communication with CLD families
• encourage students' active participation in transition planning
• collaborate closely with families throughout the whole process
• provide effective cultural competence training to school personnel
• implement successful parent support programs
• conduct transition assessments to determine a student's individual needs
• discover how teacher leadership can improve transition services
• make the most of the transition services available in high school and beyond

To help readers apply best practices, this book gives them case studies of professionals successfully helping students and families from diverse cultural backgrounds. Readers will also learn from revealing interviews with transition specialists and other experts, discover proven tips and strategies for every part of the transition process, and get photocopiable forms and tools they can use right away.

A great resource for quick and effective professional development--and an ideal preservice textbook--this highly practical guide puts better outcomes for CLD youth well within reach as they navigate the road to adulthood.

The book is part of theBrookes Publishing Transition to Adulthood Series