Focus on the Future

  • The goal of Focus on the Future (FOF) is to provide students with an age-appropriate post-high school educational experience based on their projected post-secondary outcome. Transition services offered through FOF emphasize promoting independence to the fullest extent possible in preparation for their adult life. Identified skill deficits in the areas of Vocational, Self-advocacy, Community Access, Daily Living, Personal Safety, Social and Leisure skills are the focus of instruction. Services are individualized to meet the needs of each student. 

    Underlying Principles:

    • To successfully prepare for paid employment
    • To promote self-advocacy skills
    • To prepare the student for the transition into the adult world
    • To foster independence in life-long community activities 

    Student Participation Criteria:

    • Appropriate post-secondary outcome of competitive paid employment
    • Student-centered planning to indicate that the student will benefit from  transition services off the high school campus
    • Completed all credits required for graduation  and participated in high school campus graduation ceremony
    • Have a valid Texas ID and be capable of competitive paid employment
    • Demonstrate socially acceptable behavior in classroom and community settings in a minimum 4:1 ratio
    • Successfully participated in community-based instruction,work-based learning, or VAC  while at the high school campus
    • Completed work-based learning in one or more of the FOF student businesses while at the high school campus
    • Capable of independence in the community, in familiar environments, with minimal training
    • Limited support required for daily living and personal hygiene skills
    • Capable of accessing public or para-transit services, or have other sustainable means of accessing their community (including walking, parent transportation, etc.)
    • Applied for adult services and agency supports
    • Prepared to transition to sustainable adult activities in the community (including, but not limited to paid employment, independent volunteer assignments and leisure activities, attending  a day program)
    • Able to follow a flexible personal schedule that revolves around employment and sustainable independent activities

    FOF Referral Process:

    • Campus teacher completes Life Skills Post-Secondary Transition Skills Assessment Screening
    • The Assessment results indicate student meets the requirements for FOF and will benefit from receiving transition services off the high school campus
    • The Transition Specialist attends Visual Transition Planning Meeting (VTPM) during the student’s Junior year to discuss FOF and make recommendations for further skill development
    • The VTPM is repeated during the student’s Senior year, and Transition Specialist and/or FOF staff are in attendance to make recommendations and collaborate on transition goals
    • An ARD meeting is scheduled to address placement in FOF following Senior year of high school, and a schedule is created for the upcoming school year

    Important Information:

    • FOF is a 2-year program. Students must be at least 18 years of age, and within 2 years of exiting the school district.
    • FOF is not a typical 8-hour school day, and minutes of service for each student are determined based on their individual transition needs.
    • The typical first year schedule is 1200-1800 minutes per week, usually in the morning and early afternoon, but this will vary depending on the student's needs.
    • The amount of daily direct services will gradually decrease to foster independence and transition to adult activities.
    • Once paid employment and access to sustainable activities are achieved, the parent is expected to provide transportation, to facilitate a smooth transition to adult life.