DOVER — Approximately 40 vendors were on hand Tuesday as Dover High School hosted the annual Kent County Transition Fair to connect students with services to assist with transitioning into their post-high school life.

The event was for families with students, between the ages of 14-21, who have Individualized Education Plans. It was a collaboration between Kent County school districts (Caesar Rodney, Capital, Smyrna, Milford, Polytech) and several other schools such as High Road School of Delaware and Positive Outcomes Charter School.

Christy Betts, a special education transition specialist in the Capital School District, said the vendors’ focus areas ranged between employment, independent living, wellness, education and training.

“This event is so important to our families for making connections within the community, and preparing students to transition from school to their community,” Ms. Betts said. “The community vendors are able to give information to families and students and to speak to them. They’ll also have the opportunity, if they would like for additional appointments or information, to schedule that time with the community agencies.”

The fair kicked off with a presentation by Jillian Matthews, a 2016 graduate of the Charlton Program through Caesar Rodney High School and Wesley College.

Ms. Matthews, who has worked in the planning department of the Delaware Department of Transportation since 2017, said such fairs provided her with a better idea of what she would want to do after graduation as she transitioned to the workforce.

“We met people from agencies from all around Delaware,” Ms. Matthews said. “We went to quite a few of the fairs, I think most of them. That way, we got a lot of information to help make a decision for me.”

This fair was back to being held in person after the 2021 version was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Castle County also holds a yearly transition fair, which will take place later this year, while Sussex County is planning to have its first fair this year, said Kyle Hill, a special education resource teacher in the Caesar Rodney School District.

Both Mr. Hill and Ms. Betts said it is never too early to start planning for transition. They each encouraged families to first reach out to the leadership team in their school district.

“Talk to whether it’s principals or whoever is in charge of the case management of IEPs for students in the schools,” Mr. Hill said. “Transition services don’t necessarily have to be just for students with IEPs. It could be students with accommodations on 504 plans. Every student in general could use some assistance with transition. Our fair focuses mostly on students with IEPs, but I would say you start with your home base, really, you talk with those who are on your leadership teams at your schools and they will link you up with different organizations that can assist with the transition journey.”