CARE for Children will host Focusing on Transition—Preparing Your Student for Life After Graduation on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Bradford Area Public Library. This free event is designed to empower families of students with disabilities to prepare for education, employment, and life after graduation.

“Transition for students with disabilities is the coordinated planning process that supports students as they move from school into adulthood,” said Joy Haney, MSW, LSW, IMH-E, Social Worker at CARE for Children.

This includes preparing for post-secondary education or training, employment, independent living, and community participation. Transition planning is most effective when it begins early, ideally in middle school, so families and schools can work together to build skills and explore options over time. It is never too early to start thinking about a student’s future goals and the steps needed to achieve them.

Panelists will include: Missy Franklin, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), McKean County Representative; Brandi Buck – Executive Director, Evergreen Elm; Heather Bunk – Bradford Area School District, Special Education Intern; Patti Lewis – Quality Improvement Specialist, Futures Rehabilitation Center; and Melaena Nelson – Supports Coordination Program Director, The Guidance Center.

These panelists represent several local agencies that support services for people with disabilities. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about available services and community resources, as well as ask general transition-related questions from the panelists.

There will also be representatives in attendance from the University of Pittsburgh Bradford and Jamestown Community College.

 “Transition is important so we can give every student the opportunity to lead a rich and active life as a member of our community,” added Haney.

The event is free, but registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, contact CARE for Children at 814-362-4621 or email reception@careforchildren.info. Registration is open through Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

This initiative was developed through the efforts of CARE’s Family Leadership Group to help students with disabilities successfully transition to the next stage of their lives. The Family Leadership Group aims to give parents a voice in CARE’s programming, strengthen advocacy efforts, and help the organization better identify and respond to unmet needs. This program and the CARE for Children Family Leadership Group is supported in part by a grant from the ARG-Our Legacy Fund, held at the McKean County Community Foundation. CARE for Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children of all abilities.