December 2025: The Most Wonderful Time in Transition

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services sent this bulletin at 12/01/2025 10:00 AM CST

View as a webpage / Share | Foreign language options

YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS

Plan Your Way OK Website Gets a Fresh New Look

Focused on the transition to adulthood for students with disabilities, the Plan Your Way OK website was created to be a helpful resource for students, families, professionals, business, and other partners in Oklahoma communities. The Oklahoma Transition Council, in partnership with the Pathway to Partnerships team came together to create and maintain current content on this exciting resource.

The mission of the Oklahoma Transition Council and the Pathways to Partnerships team is to improve transition education, planning and services through stakeholder partnerships that lead to successful postschool outcomes for students with disabilities. This includes improvement with education and training, employment, independent living, and community participation.

Recently, the look and feel Plan Your Way OK website was updated to help improve the user experience. The website now includes an easy to navigate layout, and access to more resources. Check out the new Plan Your Way OK site using the link below.

Select this link to visit the Plan Your Way OK website

Stay Up-to-date with Transition

December 2: Developing a Growth Mindset in Children (Webinar)

Flyer, Developing a Growth Mindset in Children, details in paragraph below

Lauren Alvarez, MA presents this informative webinar on growth mindset development. Learn how the way we think influences how we learn and face challenges. Attendees will discover how a growth mindset helps children and youth develop confidence, motivation, and resilience. Attendees can learn simple strategies to strengthen learning and well-being in their community.

Date and Time:
December 2, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m.

Select this link to register for the Developing a Growth Mindset in Children webinar

December 15: Setting Goals for the New Year with a Mindful Self-Compassion Lens (Webinar)

flyer, Setting Goals for the New Year with a Mindful Self-compassion Lens webinar, details in paragraph below

In this presentation, the presenter will discuss how to set goals for positive change for all ages while still having a self-compassion focus. This can help us break the pattern of shame about things we want to change and instead apply simple but profound principles for effective growth.

Date and Time:
December 15, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m.

Select this link to register for the Setting Goals for the New Year with a Mindful Self-compassion Lens webinar

January 26, 2026: The Heartland Transition PLC, Transition Resource Fair

flyer, The Heartland Transition PLC, Transition Resource Fair, details in paragraph below

You are invited to The Heartland Transition PLC's Transition Resource Fair. This engaging and helpful event will take place on Monday, January 26, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m. at Mid America Technology Center in Wayne, Oklahoma. Information on transition resources for youth with disabilities will be available from transition professionals and educators. You won't want to miss this event.

Booths at the resource fair include representatives from Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Sooner SUCCESS, OU Pre-ETS, USAO Neill Wint Program, Rose State College, East Central University, Mid America Technology Center, Oklahoma Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (OWIPA) and many more.

Refreshments will be provided, and attendees will have a chance to win door prizes.

Address:
Mid America Technology Center
27438 OK-59
Wayne, OK n 73095

For more information, contact Jenny Allen-Price at allenj@purcellps.org or by phone at 405-442-0099 ext 510 or 407-487-3145.

March 27, 2026: Save the Date for Joining Forces

save the date flyer, Joining Forces Conference

Mark your calendar for March 27, 2026. Joining Forces: Supporting Family-Professional Partnerships Conference brings together local, state and national leaders to discuss best practices and promising practices in the area of family-professional partnerships. Participants gain knowledge and practical tools to use as they work together in support of a good life for the person with special health care needs, intellectual disabilities and other Oklahomans. The conference also offers opportunities for making connections with professionals, families and others for future partnership activities.

Click to edit this placeholder text.

flyer, BEST STEP 2026 Application is Open, details in paragraph below

It's finally time. In early November 2025, the summer 2026 application for the popular summer program, BEST STEP will open. The program is for students who are at least 16 years old with a documented disability, are a client of DRS OR are eligible for services due to disability, AND are returning to school in 2026.

Participants will build valuable skills while having fun and interacting with peers. There will be opportunities to apply for paid internships with employers in their communities. Applications can be submitted through the QR code above or by using the link below.

BEST STEP takes place in June and July 2026
*Applications are due by March 2, 2026

Select this link to apply online for BEST STEP 2026

Select this link for a printable BEST STEP 2026 application

How to nominate a Student:

If you know a current or former student who has participated in Transition events or who has found success through Transition services, please let us know by submitting this nomination form.

Click here to nominate a student

Transition Resources

Red Rock Behavioral Health Services

At Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, they are committed to supporting high school students with disabilities, including those experiencing substance use disorders, as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and transition into adulthood. Their adolescent-focused substance use disorder treatment addresses both substance misuse and co-occurring mental health conditions through individualized, developmentally appropriate care.

Red Rock offers outpatient and virtual outpatient services tailored specifically for youth, ensuring accessibility while maintaining a strong therapeutic foundation. Their treatment approach includes evidence-based practices and Medication-Assisted treatment (MAT), which supports recovery from opioid use disorder and kratom dependence - a growing concern among adolescents.

Understanding that lasting recovery requires more than treatment alone, Red Rock provides comprehensive wraparound services including crisis intervention, mental health counseling, family support and case management. They also offer court services programs and jail diversion programs that emphasize treatment and rehabilitation over punishment.

Their goal is to empower families with the tools and resources necessary for long-term wellness and success beyond high school.

Select this link to visit the Red Rock Behavioral Health Services website

In Crisis Now? Call 405-987-ROCK (7625)

Sooner SUCCESS

Sooner SUCCESS is a statewide program. Their mission is to advance a comprehensive, unified system of health, social and educational services for Oklahoma Children and Youth with Special Needs through community based resource coordination. Contact them for more information at 1-877-441-0434.

Plan Your Way OK is a Transition-centered website that has a wealth of information for students, families, professionals and businesses.

Select this link to visit the Plan Your Way OK website

Transition Folders

Transition Folders include recommended resources, services, and activities for students with disabilities as they prepare for life after high school. Grade levels include high school, middle school and elementary school. It's never too early to plan a child's future.

Due to inventory challenges, the best way to get the folders' information to give to others is to download the following pdf files and print from a color printer.

Select this link for High School Folders pdf file

Select this link for Middle School Folders pdf file

Select this link for Elementary School Folders pdf file

Meet Andrea

Andrea Burris is a Pre-employment transition specialist with the University of Oklahoma's National Center for Disability Employment and Training (NCDET). She is from Ponca City and worked in a public-school setting for eleven years before starting her new role as a Pre-ETS Specialist in July 2025.

In her role, she gets to partner with schools to help students build real-world skills, explore careers, and gain confidence for life after high school. She loves seeing students grow and discovering what they are interested in. Andrea believes strongly in empowering students to discover their strengths and find meaningful pathways to adulthood. She is thankful every day she gets to go to work and considers helping her students a joy and a privilege.

Andrea is a passionate and dedicated transition professional. Her dedication to the youth she serves makes her amazing to work alongside. We are lucky to have her on the team.

Andrea Burris
Pre-Employment Transition Specialist

University of Oklahoma

ph. 918-303-2580

andreaburris@ou.edu

What is Transition?

The Transition program provides services to prepare students with disabilities for employment and life after high school. Services may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, on-the-job training, work-study, and job development and placement. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired divisions jointly run the Transition program so the youth can easily move into adult services when it is time.

Start the Application Process