Defining the CCoT and WiCoT

County Community on Transition (CCoT)

County Communities on Transition (CCoT) are a group of stakeholders who have made the commitment to collaborate around identifying barriers to transition planning, organizing needed supports, and developing solutions for youth with disabilities in the local county they serve. The CCoT creates their own vision and mission as it relates to transition in their community. This partnership is essential to assist in opportunities for youth to explore employment, training and postsecondary education, and engage in skills to be independent in their home and community while building self-advocacy skills. Suggested CCoT members include: school districts, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Aging and Disability Resource Center, adult long-term care organizations, children’s long term support, higher education representatives, youth, family members and/or guardians, business members, and additional transition stakeholders that provide services to youth with disabilities.

The key to CCoT success is sharing the work as a county, establishing effective communication practices and creating new relationships to better work together and increase collaboration. Each CCoT is unique and has its own history of providing opportunities for transition related activities to support students and families within the community.

Wisconsin Community on Transition (WiCoT)

The Wisconsin Community on Transition (WiCoT) is comprised of state level leadership whose focus is on transition for youth in Wisconsin. The team is comprised of leadership from the Department of Public Instruction, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Health Services (Integrated Employment and Children Service), Transition Improvement Grant, Independent Living Centers, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, Youth Apprenticeship Program, Wisconsin Technical College System, and Family Advocate Organizations. WiCoT’s goal is to provide coaching, leadership and resources to each local County Community on Transition (CCoT) in Wisconsin. The WiCoT promotes their vision of: all youth with disabilities will transition to a healthy, full, meaningful life. This team was created with the purpose to make informed decisions around transition issues and sustain policies and practices that build capacity and lead to positive post school outcomes.

The WiCoT provides professional development opportunities that optimize the ability to collaborate and inform these policies and practices around the state. This team is invested in youth, families, educators and transition partners statewide. The WiCoT will be hosting up to 2 virtual calls each year to connect CCoT facilitators from around the state to gauge how CCoT groups are functioning overall.

Difference Between the WiCoT and CCoT

The difference between the WiCoT and CCoT is that the WiCoT focuses on transition at a statewide level whereas the CCoT focuses on transition at a county level. The WiCoT is focused on data collection related to policies and practices statewide to make informed decisions. The CCoT is focused on opportunities and needs at the local county level. Both Communities on Transition have a vested interest in increasing post school outcomes for students with disabilities.