Ozark High School Hosting Transition and Resource Fair Feb. 25

Have you ever wondered what your student will do when they finish high school? What job, what career, what are the employment options? Is college or technical school an option? Will they live with others? Will they need support or will they live independently?

To help you answer those questions, Ozark School District Special Services Department is hosting a Transition and Resource Fair from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Ozark Innovation Center for area junior high and high school-aged students who may be in special education, have a 504 or an IEP. The come-and-go event will be an informational night with more than 20 local agencies and organizations coming together to meet with parents, guardians and students to talk about types of support and help available. 

“We are hosting this Transition and Resource Fair for our students and families in order to help bridge the gap between high school and life after high school,” said Adeana Brewer, speech-language pathologist at OHS. “We have found that many of our families and students are overwhelmed and not sure where to start when their students graduate. We hope that bringing together resources that are available in our community will make the transition a little easier and inform families of the types of support and resources that are available to them.”

A sample of the organizations available at the event include:

• Comprehensive and transition post-secondary programs such as Bear Power, Missouri State West Plains Ascend, and Evangel Achieve.
• Work and employment programs such as MERS Goodwill, Christian County Enterprises, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Pre-employment Transition Services. 
• Service providers such as Christian County Links, The Arc of the Ozarks, and Empower Abilities.
• College-bound resource information such as OTC Disability Support Services.

“It is a great opportunity to hear about and meet the people, agencies and organizations that can help your student to continue success beyond public school with employment, independent living needs, and further training and education,” Brewer said. 

It is never too early to start planning for the transition from high school to life after high school. 
Students do not have to have an active IEP or 504 to attend. If your student has any medically-diagnosed disability, but does not currently receive support in public school, there is still information that could be beneficial to your student and family at the fair.

"The Ozark Special Services department is dedicated to empowering our students to graduate as happy, healthy and productive members of society,” Brewer said. "The goal is to help each student achieve their fullest potential and lead fulfilling lives.”