School-to-Work Transition Program

The Transitional and Community Services (TRACS) Program provides evaluation training and consultation services to ensure students with special needs aged 14 to 22 years can comfortably and successfully transition into the community after they leave high school. To assist students and their families we offer an array of specialized services to develop both employment and community life skills.

Employment Skills – Our focus is on providing high-school aged students with the supports they need to naturally transition from school to the world of work. Through TRACS we help schools prepare the adults of tomorrow for the realities of the future. TRACS services are generally paid for through funding provided by the local area school district, or through private payments, and include:

  • Vocational Assessment - addresses each students' capabilities, interests, and work experiences, and provides specific recommendations for transitional planning
  • Career Exploration - a work experience rotation through several work sites to better determine job interests or to provide initial exposure to work in the community
  • Job Development - assistance in locating, applying, and interviewing for jobs
  • Job Coaching - services that provide support and instruction at job sites

Community Life Skills – Naturally, preparing a young adult for the work world is only part of the process of becoming a fully responsible individual. TRACS also helps prepare the young adult for living independently in the community. The program provides a broad array of services directed at ensuring a successful transition to independent living. These services include:

  • Home and School-based Support - providing instruction and support to the student, parent and other family members
  • Assessment - evaluating the student's functional skills and competencies in domestic skills and independent living
  • Community Connection - assisting the student in identifying, accessing and participating in community life and activities
  • Community Resources - searching the local community to identify options for transportation, recreation, and civic educational activities

HMEA Administrative Office • 8 Forge Park East • Franklin, MA 02038
telephone: 508.298.1100 fax: 508.298.1400 email: hmea@hmea.org