San Marcos Unified School District (SMUSD) and the North Coast Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) provide an Adult Transition Program (ATP) for qualifying young adults with disabilities aged 18-22 years of age. Eligibility is determined by the IEP team.

The ATP provides training and instruction to facilitate the transition from public school into appropriate adult programs and supported work placements.

The emphasis is to work toward a level of independence for every student (based upon the level of their disability) in the areas of living, working, and community involvement. Young adults in the program will be encouraged to make choices, participate in work experiences, interact with others in the community and strengthen their confidence level and social skills.

The daily structure of the program may include work experience, a lunch break, and various activities including college classes, P.E., mobility training, shopping, and eating out.

The program is intentionally situated off-campus. By meeting each day in a community setting, the young adults in the program are introduced to an environment similar to the one into which they will eventually transition and allows opportunities for students to regularly interface with the public. Work experience, (when appropriate), provides students with the opportunity to acquire skills, assess strengths, and determine work preferences.

Our mission is to support students in transition from high school to adult life through classroom and community-based experiences that build on a student's interests and abilities.

• A structured and predictable environment in a public location
• A functional academic curriculum combined with community-based activities
• Three separate classes that address the needs of different levels of disability
• Age appropriate community activities and experiences
• Collaboration with agencies to facilitate a smooth transition to appropriate adult agencies and services based on individual needs and abilities

• Money Management: Counting money, comparing prices, paying for items, budgeting pay, writing checks, paying bills, using a debit card, maintaining a balance sheet, banking, reading statements.
• Basic Skills: Telling the time, reading ads, using the internet, and reading newspapers for pertinent information.

• Work Experience: Off-campus supervised work experience at various locations and in a variety of jobs including work enclaves and piece work, (assembly line skills)
• Job Readiness: Writing resumes, practicing interview skills, completing job applications and time cards, projecting pay, and exploring job options.
• Job Retention: Appropriate behavior, personal hygiene, and professional dress in the workplace.
• Supported Employment: When appropriate, students may participate in a WorkAbility subsidized work experience.

• Life Skills: Using public transportation, understanding street safety, stranger awareness, shopping for food, clothing, and other items, ordering from a menu at a restaurant, following schedules, making appointments, and exploring living options for the future,
• Domestic Skills: Planning and preparing simple meals, using a dishwasher, washer, and dryer.

• Personal Fitness: attending classes of interest at Palomar College with College-aged peers, social activities, using community services, and accessing community agencies.