The focus of the Career and Transition program at Kilmer Center is to prepare students for a meaningful life and employment after graduation. Through careful and thoughtful person centered planning, and with student and family input, goals and objectives on the Individualized Education Program lay a framework for the future. 

Kilmer Center students concentrate on attaining the necessary skills for a successful transition to adult life including self-determination and self-advocacy skills. Developing self-determination and self-advocacy skills give students an opportunity to discover their strengths and interests and teaches them to communicate effectively with others. These skills are reinforced through work experiences both in school and in the community.   

School Based Enterprises are developed with input from the student leadership team. This past year, the team developed a greeting card business.  Current Community Worksites include:

• Gatehouse Administrative Center
• Four Seasons Tennis Club
• Food for Others

Work based learning includes career awareness, career exploration, career preparation and career training. Throughout this process, students systematically build on their knowledge and skills related to work. Career awareness and exploration allows students to learn more about different occupations and the skills necessary to get and keep a job through job shadowing, informational interviews and mentoring experiences. Community preparation and training is delivered through community based instruction, school based enterprise and community work experiences. These experiences give students the opportunity to choose jobs based on their interests and strengths and use their acquired skills in a real life setting.

The Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) works with students ages 14-21 and their families providing information regarding school based services and community resources. The ETR also provides support to students and families/guardians as they transition from their final year of school to post-secondary services. Support may include assistance with referrals to adult state and county agencies involved in transition services.