IATC Says Farewell to Secretary Raggio
May and June are big months for transitioning youth as their final school year draws to an end. We hope the resources shared throughout the past year have been helpful for those students getting ready to leave high school.
This year, May and June also mark a time for transition for the Interagency Transition Council (IATC), which said goodbye to its co-chair, Secretary Catherine A. Raggio of the Maryland Department of Disabilities, who retired in April. Secretary Raggio writes:
Dear Reader, I have had the honor of serving as Governor O'Malley's Secretary of Disabilities for over seven years. We have made positive strides in creating better transitioning practices for our youth with disabilities through our work on the Governor's Interagency Transition Council for Youth with Disabilities. First, we redesigned our website and packed it with valuable information needed by parents and youth themselves. We produce timely newsletters and hold an annual conference for parents and youth. The conferences have been well attended and began targeting families two years ago by holding them on Saturdays. In partnership with MSDE, the IATC made sure that the important Exit Document gets into the hands of each youth when they are leaving school so that they understand learning styles, supports needed and accommodations that have been provided effectively in the school setting. The IATC has been the advisory committee for the Maryland Seamless Transition Collaborative (MSTC). Through MSTC, TransCen, a nonprofit organization based in Rockville, has provided technical assistance to 11 local school systems on best practices for transition. These school systems will continue expanding these best practices going forward. Through this work and more, we know that paid employment prior to leaving high school is the key to future success in the world of work. We know that knowledgeable and supportive families are critically important. I urge you to stay connected to the work of the IATC through our website. I am retiring from State service effective April 30th, but leave the IATC in the capable hands of the new Acting Secretary of the Department of Disabilities, George Failla and Sue Page, Assistant Superintendent for DORS. Both will lead the work of the IATC and will be joined by the other State agency and advocate members.
Sincerely,
Catherine A. Raggio
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