The Wisconsin Community on Transition first gathered in 2004. Since that initial gathering our vision and mission has focused and our membership continues to grow!
      History of the Wisconsin Community on Transition
      Wisconsin Community on Transition brochure

The vision of the Wisconsin Community on Transition (WI CoT) is that all Wisconsin youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs will:

• Be empowered to recognize their talents and strengths.
• Have equal access and the knowledge to use resources that promote full participation and welcomed acceptance in the communities of their choice
• Successfully transition to a healthy, full and meaningful life.

The mission of the Wisconsin Community on Transition (WI CoT) is to build and support sustainable community partnerships that ensure youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs will transition successfully to adult life, including:

• Competitive employment
• Education
• Training and lifelong learning
• Community participation
• Adult health care

• Focuses on a set of issues with a common set of challenges
• Shares experiences
• Unites groups to problem solve, plan, and share experience with a common set of challenges
• Provides structure for people to communicate and interact
• Constructs a mindset about how people can accomplish large tasks by sharing work and coordinating resources
• Creates an inclusive framework to dialogue about what is known, as well as what people need to know

ANYONE with an interest in improving transition outcomes for youth with disabilities and special health care needs.

Our current membership includes:

• Parents
• Youth
• Educators
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
• Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
• Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CHSHCN)
• Regional Centers for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
• Waisman Center
• Rehabilitation for Wisconsin
• WI AHEAD (Postsecondary Disability Staff)
• Independent Living Centers
• Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)
• Family Voices
• Wisconsin Facets
• Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative (WSPEI)

ANYONE with an interest in improving transition outcomes for youth with disabilities and special health care needs is encouraged to attend any/all of the Wisconsin Community on Transition Meetings and/or join a practice group!

The WI CoT meets three times per year in January, June, and October. Check the WSTI Calendar of Events for more specific meeting dates and locations!

For more information about the Wisconsin Community on Transition, please contact Linda Maitrejean at lindam@cesa11.k12.wi.us

Practice groups (work groups) provide structure and focus to the overall Community of Practice work. In Wisconsin we have the following practice groups:

• Wisconsin Youth First Practice Group
• Postsecondary Education
• Parents and Families
• Health
• Data
• Interagency Collaboration for Employment

Practice group meetings are usually conducted via telephone conferences. The frequency of these meetings is determined by each individual practice group. Practice groups may choose to have face-to-face meetings following the three statewide WI CoT meetings.

The Wisconsin Community on Transition meetings and practice groups are coordinated by members of the Wisconsin Community on Transition Facilitator Leadership Team.

Membership of the Wisconsin Community on Transition Facilitator Leadership Team

Meeting Schedule for the Wisconsin Community on Transition Facilitator Leadership Team Members