Simsbury Public Schools

Established in 2000, the Farmington Valley Transition Academy (FVTA) is a collaborative program between Farmington and Simsbury Public Schools. FVTA focuses on developing transition skills for students with developmental disabilities between the ages of 18-22.

In addition to serving the transition needs of Farmington and Simsbury students, Farmington Valley Transition Academy enrolls students from more than 10 surrounding districts.

Our Mission: To assist students in developing the skills necessary to grow independence to be successful adults.

Our Motto: "I will learn it on my own. I will be as independent as I can be."

• Candidates must have a developmental disability and have a current IEP
• Completion of a high school program, including all required credits
• Recommendation from student’s home district through the PPT process
• 18-22 years of age

Students at FVTA participate in a variety of on and off campus experiences.  Students interact with students at the University of Hartford through internships, as co-workers, in Best Buddies and through Unified Theatre.

Additionally, students attend weekly community experiences and  have traveled throughout the state of Connecticut and beyond.

• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Collaboration
• Advocacy Skills
• Attitude
• Flexibility
• Understanding Directions
• Self-motivation
• Accepting Feedback
• Applying Feedback

Soft skills are the foundation for employability. These skills are integrated throughout the program.

Students at FVTA utilize a functional curriculum and are instructed in functional reading, writing and mathematics.  Instruction on employment readiness, ADLs, safety, healthy living, relationships and communication is integrated into the academic curriculum. Instruction is individualized to meet student IEP goals/objectives.

Some students that attend FVTA take courses at local community colleges. Students that choose and are ready for this step take the Accuplacer placement exam to determine eligibility for classes. Those that attend often utilize the CT Transit public bus line.

Some topics covered are:

• Banking and personal finance
• Everyday math concepts
• Reading for information
• Professional written communication
• Current events
• College preparation when appropriate
• Time management/elapsed time
• Budgeting/spending, shopping and other money management concepts
• Reading for information in authentic work/daily living situations, current events
• Vocational and personal forms/applications

At FVTA we provide all students with a wide array of vocational experiences. Our staff consists of special education teachers, an employment specialist, job coaches and ADL coaches who offer ongoing support and feedback to help students become independent, self supporting adults. Students are assessed using a comprehensive rubric that targets communication, professional behavior and skills.

• Vocational internships within the community
• Specific and consistent feedback
• Building stamina
• Perseverance
• Self-motivation
• Practice with accepting and applying authentic feedback
• Professional expectations: hard/soft skills
• Identifying strengths, barriers and accommodations
• Resume preparation
• Interviewing skills
• Locating employment forms and applications

Eligible students are able to explore college by taking courses through the Connecticut Community College Consortium, primarily Tunxis Community College.

College exploration is recommended for students in their second year at FVTA. Students typically take College Experience as their first introductory college course. Students must be able to navigate a college campus independently and possess the skills to independently take college courses.

The Farmington Valley Transition Academy works closely with adult services including The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Bureau for Rehabilitative Services (BRS) to assist students and families with the transition from public school to adult services.

The Bureau for Rehabilitative Services (BRS)

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

Activities of Daily Living and Social Skills

Students engage in activities of daily living (ADL) in the classroom, in the community, at internships and in the home. A wide variety of ADL instruction occurs throughout students' school day. In addition, FVTA provides an in-home ADL program where students work with an ADL instructor in their home and within their home community assisting students to generalize skills across all settings and providing highly individualized instruction.

Social skills instruction is an essential skill for giving students' voice and to navigate the post-transition world into adult services. Students work with their classroom teachers and school social workers on advocacy  skills, professional communication skills and social communication skills.

Some skills covered:

• Hygiene
• Household chores
• Community experiences
• Growth mindset
• Public transportation
• Positive choices
• Communication skills
• Social Thinking
• Safety
• Social skills activities (with LCSW)
• Cooking and measurement concepts
• Fitness
• Home to school connection through FVTA ADL program
• OT