Planning for the future of a child with special needs can be a difficult task for parents and other family members.
Local families will have a unique opportunity to explore their options and learn more about local resources at an upcoming special education resource fair hosted by Kerrville Independent School District. The event will be held at the BT Wilson Education Center on Tybee Street on Thursday, February 29th from 4pm to 6pm.
This event is open to children ages 3 to 22 and their parents whose programs are no longer offered in public schools. Multiple “transition providers” will be available, including representatives from Workforce Solutions Alamo, Texas State Technical University, and the University of San Antonio, as well as the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M University.
“Many colleges, universities and colleges now have programs for students with intellectual disabilities,” said Lynn Paulo, KISD special education director.
Representatives from Southwind Fields, a San Antonio-based program for men and women with learning disabilities who want to live independently, will also be at the fair. Southwind Fields offers daytime programs at its San Antonio location and sponsors residential programs within small home communities with comprehensive programs for adults with disabilities.
KISD has a special education program for high school students known as the “Tivy Treasures Program,” which is a life skills program that works with students who are transitioning into adulthood. The student group will be setting up all the booths, tables and signs for her resource fair from now through Feb. 29.
“We started with just a few students in the program, but it has grown,” Paulo said. One of his most popular elements of the program is his Tivy Treasures retail store located on campus. The store not only trains students for jobs in the business world, but also provides an opportunity to develop skills to deal with the public.
Paulo said the February resource fair will also provide refreshments and door prizes for attendees. KISD currently has more than 600 students eligible for special education programs within the district. The resource fair is for all levels.
“We will have several local agencies on site to inform parents about the services available to children and young people,” Paulo added. Local agencies participating there include Texas Lions Camp, Hill Country MHDD, Kinetic Kids (from Boerne), K-Star, Behavioral Resource Center, Any Baby Can, and more.
Paulo recommends that parents of children with certain disabilities start planning for their child's future early in their life by connecting them with multiple local agencies that can provide support as the family and child grow. is encouraged.
The event will also include people who will guide parents through the process of applying for financial aid for students who want to attend college, university or trade school programs in the future.
Paulo said local agencies and organizations wishing to participate in the resource fair can contact her office for more information at (830) 257-2203, ext. 1215.
