Meet Our Transition Coordinator: Jodie Alicea

✨Philadelphia Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS) is a division of the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS). It supports individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism by coordinating access to community-based programs, employment supports, residential services, and family resources. IDS partners with local agencies to promote inclusion, independence, and quality of life for Philadelphians with developmental disabilities.

👉IDS Eligibility:

To be eligible for services under IDS, you must:

• Have a diagnosis of an Intellectual DisAbility and/or have a diagnosis of Autism

• Have adaptive skill deficits in 3 or more areas based on a standardized adaptive functioning test (This is located in your child's most recent re-evaluation report from ABCCS. If IDS requires additional information to determine eligibility, IDS will send families an online Vineland assessment.)

• Have been diagnosed before age 22

👉How can we help students and families with registration at ABCCS?

At our school, we can support students and their families in starting the registration process with Philadelphia Intellectual disAbility Services (IDS). While we cannot determine eligibility for services, we strongly encourage all students with a documented intellectual disability and/or autism diagnosis to complete registration to ensure access to future supports and resources.

To begin the process, families will need to provide copies of the student’s medical insurance card, Social Security card, and birth certificate. In addition, the school will supply a Release of Records form, which authorizes us to share the necessary educational and diagnostic information with IDS to complete the application.

✨At ABCCS, we believe in preparing students for success beyond high school by connecting them and their families with community agencies that support transition planning. One of our key partners is the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), which offers valuable services to help individuals with disabilities prepare for and maintain meaningful employment.

👉What is OVR?

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is a Pennsylvania state agency that helps individuals with disabilities find, obtain, and keep employment. OVR services are personalized to each student’s needs and goals, providing supports that promote independence and success in adult life.

👉When Can Students Register?

Students at ABCCS are eligible to register with OVR during their second-to-last year of school (typically their junior year) and senior year. Because our students remain enrolled until the age of 22, registering during these years allows them to access OVR services while still in school and transition smoothly into adulthood.

Our assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) is Mr. Jeffrey Nesbitt, who works directly with our students, families, and school staff to coordinate OVR services and supports.

👉Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

We highly recommend that all eligible students register with OVR to take advantage of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). These services are designed to help students explore their interests, build workplace skills, and prepare for future employment opportunities. Pre-ETS may include:

• Job Exploration Counseling – Learning about career options and personal interests.

• Workplace Readiness Training – Developing soft skills for success at work.

• Post-Secondary Counseling – Exploring college, training, or vocational programs.

• Self-Advocacy Instruction – Learning how to speak up for personal goals and needs.

• Work-Based Learning Experiences – Participating in community-based job experiences or internships.

👉Early Group Services – OVR’s Early Reach Program

In addition to individual OVR services, students can also participate in group-based Pre-ETS activities through OVR’s Early Reach Program. At ABCCS, our Early Reach Coordinator, Ms. Jill Grossberg, provides opportunities for students prior to their junior and senior years to begin learning early work-readiness and self-advocacy skills. These group sessions help students start exploring their interests and preparing for future OVR services.

👉Additional OVR Supports

OVR also provides benefits counseling for individuals receiving SSI or SSDI, helping families understand how employment may affect Social Security benefits and plan for long-term financial stability.

✨Here at ABCCS, we are committed to helping students build independence and confidence in their travel skills. We work closely with SEPTA to provide resources and real-world learning opportunities for students who are preparing for life after high school.

👉SEPTA's Reduced Fare Program:

SEPTA offers a Reduced Fare Program for Individuals with Disabilities, which allows eligible riders to travel at a discounted rate.

The Reduced Fare card provides the following benefits:

• Half-fare travel on SEPTA services

• Two free transfers on buses and SEPTA Metro ([T] Subway-Surface Trolleys, [B] Broad Street Line, [L] Market-Frankford Line, [M] Norristown High Speed Line) within 120 minutes of first tap

• You can find the application here

👉New Rider Training Resources

To help new riders become familiar with SEPTA’s system, we’ve added a helpful presentation created by SEPTA staff. This Google Slides presentation includes visuals and tips for navigating routes, reading schedules, and practicing safe travel. SEPTA Transit Familiarization - Parent and Student Resource for New Riders

👉SEPTA Travel Training Program at STAR High School

We are proud to offer a SEPTA Travel Training Program for students nearing graduation who are interested in learning to ride SEPTA independently.

Through this program:

• Four students participate each year, selected based on their readiness and interest in independent travel.

• Students receive one-on-one instruction from graduate students in the Occupational Therapy (OT) field, in collaboration with our trained school staff.

• The training focuses on safety, travel planning, and practical experience using SEPTA routes.

• Students apply their skills by taking supervised community-based practice trips on SEPTA.

This hands-on experience helps students build real-world travel confidence, decision-making skills, and independence as they prepare for adult life. Contact Jodie Alicea if you are interested in this program: jodalicea@chpschools.org.

👉SEPTA Access (formerly CCT Connect) offers specialized transportation services for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens who cannot independently use regular SEPTA bus or trolley services. To apply for ADA Paratransit Service, individuals must complete an application and undergo a functional assessment conducted by a licensed professional. This assessment evaluates physical or cognitive abilities to determine eligibility. For more information and to begin the application process, visit SEPTA Access Eligibility and Registration.

✨Each year, Joe Yeager from Safety Net of PA, LLC visits our STAR High School students to present an engaging and informative session on Cyber Safety. During his presentation, Joe helps students understand how to stay safe and make responsible choices online. Topics include:

• Understanding Your Digital Footprint

• How Information Goes Viral

• Catfishing and Online Identity Risks

• Cyberbullying and Digital Citizenship

• Sexting and Online Boundaries

• Recognizing and Avoiding Online Predators

To learn more about how you can help your child stay safe online, you can review last year’s Cyber Safety presentation by clicking the link below.

👉View The Cyber Safety Presentation  

✨We also welcome Officer Sammy Sanchez from the Philadelphia Police Department, who visits STAR High School to speak with our students about safety in the community. Officer Sanchez shares important tips and real-world advice to help students make safe and responsible choices when they are out in the community.

To view Officer Sanchez’s safety presentation and review his tips with your child, please click the link below.

👉Police Safety Presentation 

✨Families of students with special needs face unique financial considerations that go beyond the traditional challenges of education planning, retirement, insurance, and aging. To help guide families through this process, we were joined by Jeffrey Slavich, Financial Advisor with FirstTrust, for our Special Education Parent Support Group presentation on Planning for the Future.

During this session, Mr. Slavich outlined a six-step planning process to help families secure their child’s long-term financial well-being:

1. Create a written financial plan

2. Prepare a will and estate documents

3. Choose your fiduciaries wisely

4. Create a special needs trust

5. Fund your trust(s)

6. Draft a letter of intent

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to watch the recorded presentation to learn more about each step and begin preparing for their family’s future with confidence.

👉Financial Planning for Individuals with Disabilities - Presentation

✨PA ABLE Savings Program✨

The PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Program offers individuals with disabilities and their families a way to save money for the future without affecting eligibility for important benefits such as SSI, SSDI, and Medicaid. PA ABLE accounts allow families to set aside funds for qualified disability-related expenses, including education, housing, transportation, healthcare, and more—all while enjoying tax advantages.

To learn more or open an account, visit the official PA Treasury website:

👉https://www.paable.gov/ 

✨Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP)✨

Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities. DRP offers free and confidential legal and advocacy services to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to education, employment, housing, healthcare, and community participation.

In addition, DRP provides support and guidance to individuals and families who receive benefits such as SSI or SSDI, helping them understand their rights, maintain eligibility, and address any challenges related to disability benefits and services.

To learn more or request assistance, visit:

👉https://www.disabilityrightspa.org/ 

✨As children with significant disabilities turn 18, parents may face challenges managing medical, financial, or legal decisions due to privacy laws like HIPAA. To continue providing support, some parents explore Power of Attorney (POA) or guardianship.

👉Power of Attorney (POA):

• A legal document allowing an individual to appoint someone to make decisions on their behalf.

• Can cover healthcare, finances, or both, and is customizable and revocable.

• Best for adults who still have the capacity to make decisions but may need support.

• Pros: Less expensive, flexible, keeps control with the adult.

• Cons: Requires the adult to have decision-making capacity, may not be honored in all situations.
  
  

👉Guardianship:

• Court-appointed authority for someone deemed unable to make decisions independently.

• Can be full (plenary) or limited depending on needs.

• Pros: Provides broad authority, court oversight adds protection.

• Cons: More costly, time-consuming, reduces autonomy for the adult.
  
  

👉Resources & Support:

• Disability Rights Pennsylvania – Guardianship Q&A

• PA Legal Aid Network – Advance Directives & Guardianship

✨Having a Pennsylvania State ID is an important step in preparing students for adulthood. A state-issued photo ID allows young adults to register with agencies, apply for jobs, open bank accounts, and verify their identity when completing important paperwork. To get a PA State ID, students (or their parents/guardians) can visit any PennDOT Driver License Center. They must bring proof of identity (such as a birth certificate or passport), Social Security card, and two proofs of Pennsylvania residency (such as mail or a school transcript). More information, including required documents and fees, can be found on the PennDOT State ID webpage.