EASTCONN Transition Academy (ETA)
EASTCONN Transition Academy (ETA) is a special education transition program that serves students ages 18 through 22 with a variety of learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. ETA is committed to providing explicit instruction; data-based decision making; team collaboration; and universal, proactive approaches.
Our Mission
At EASTCONN Transition Academy our mission is to empower young adults to create their own visions of success by providing evidence-based instruction, experiential learning opportunities and connections to community resources that support their transition into adulthood.
Core Features of our Person-Centered Approach to Transition
Community Access
- Being centrally located in the heart of Willimantic, we provide opportunities for our students to visit and learn more about local community businesses and resources.
- We host a variety of guest speakers to inform our students about different community supports and employment opportunities.
Employment Training
- Students are able to participate in employment opportunities aligned with Connecticut’s diverse career clusters. This allows our students to find careers that match their interests and strengths.
- Students get hands- on experience in community-based jobs with support from our highly trained job coaches.
- Students are taught job readiness skills in order to develop and strengthen their ability to obtain and maintain employment.
- Students participate in workshops with specialized adult service agencies to hone their skills in resume development, interview preparation, and self-advocacy skills on the job site.
Independent Living Skills Instruction
- Individualized lessons are taught to students in functional domains areas such as maintaining healthy relationships, budgeting, transportation, and daily living skills.
- In our newly designed industrial kitchen, students are able to participate in weekly lessons in meal preparation & cooking.
- Students have access to our state of the art fitness and wellness room to establish healthy habits by utilizing our exercise equipment.
Adult Service Connection
- Our team works with students and families to ensure that students are connected to agency supports and services such as the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) that will support them throughout their adult life.
- Our Community Connections Specialist works in partnership with adult service agencies to create a smooth transition to adult services upon exiting school services.
Other Supports and Program Benefits
- Small class sizes allow for customized learning experiences
- A multi-disciplinary team with a strong commitment to collaboration with families and school districts to provide quality transition services
- On-site clinician to support a variety of social-emotional needs
Our Team
Members of the ETA staff work collaboratively to support students in educational, community, and employment settings.
Members of our Team include:
- Special Education Teachers
- Instructors and Student Support Specialists
- Employment Coordinators
- Related Service Providers (SLP, OT, PT, AT)
- School Clinician
Currently Enrolling
- Students ages 18 through 22, still registered with their local school district and receiving special education services.
- Students who require continued support to increase independence with activities of daily living, obtaining and maintaining employment, accessing their communities and/or navigating post-secondary education and training.
