March 11, 2024

After High School

Planning for life after high school is an exciting yet stressful time for all families. For youth with disabilities receiving services through an Individual Education Plan (IEP) there are provisions under IDEA that require school districts to begin addressing transition beginning at age 16. 

South Dakota Parent Connection is offering two training opportunities for transition age youth and their families this spring.  

These sessions provide information and resources about the transition process and important community support available to assist youth as they launch into adulthood.  

During these sessions:

Young adults will:

• Gain skills for using their voice
• Understand the importance of making connections and building relationships
• Build goals for the future
• Learn about how to make a plan
• Get tips for finding and working with agencies that can give support

Parents/family will:

• Learn how their role in their young adult's life is changing
• Get tips for teaching their young adult how to speak up
• Gain tools and strategies for making positive plans for the future
• Learn how to support their young adult to navigate successfully through agencies and disability support systems

South Dakota Parent Connection is offering sessions for families from Madison, Sioux Falls, and surrounding school districts. Youth are required to attend with their parent to attend each session. Learn more and register for the events coming up in Madison and Sioux Falls.

To learn more about and register for the event in your area click on the link below.

• Tuesday evenings beginning March 19th at Dakota State University, Madison

• Monday evenings beginning April 8th at SFSD Instructional Planning Center, Sioux Falls

Visit the calendar on our website for other events offered in your community.

Catch the College Wave

Catch the College Wave is a one-day event designed specifically for High School students who have a disability and are considering a post-secondary experience at a university or technical college organized by the Transition Services Liaison Project.

These events are for students, parents, special educators, school counselors, and any other interested parties. Check out the events coming up in Aberdeen and Spearfish.

• March 26, 2024 - Catch the College Wave 2024-Aberdeen
• April 11, 2024 - Catch the College Wave 2024- Spearfish

St. Patrick's Day Fun Fact

The Shamrock is one of the most famous symbols of St. Patrick’s Day, so what is it? Shamrocks are a special type of clover that has only three leaves. These little green plants can be found all over Ireland.

Hand Picked

At South Dakota Parent Connection, parents and professionals contact us to help answer questions they have. Here are some resources picked out by our staff to help answer some of the more commonly asked questions.



• An Open Letter from a Smart Kid with ADHD
• What to Look for in a Summer Camp

Upcoming Events

Here is a list of events offered by South Dakota Parent Connection and other organizations to help support South Dakota families. A complete list of events can be found on our website at www.sdparent.org or Facebook page.



• March 13, 2024 - Littlewound Transition Fair: For information on this event, please contact South Dakota Parent Connection at sdpc@sdparent.org.
• March 14, 2024 - Kindergarten Transition Resource Fair: This event is open to anyone who wants to attend, it is primarily focused on students that will be attending Rapid City Area School. Stop by the South Dakota Parent Connection booth while you are there.
• March 19, 2024 - Transition To Success (Madison area): These sessions are for families from the Madison School District and the surrounding area. They provide information and resources to parents and young adults with disabilities to better understand the transition planning process and their future beyond high school.
• April 8, 2024 - Transition To Success (Sioux Falls area): These sessions are for families from the Sioux Falls School District and surrounding area. They provide information and resources to parents and young adults with disabilities to better understand the transition planning process and their future beyond high school.
• April 14 - 17, 2024 - TIE Conference: Two days of learning, reflection, and rediscovery. Over 100 breakout sessions and EdChats, and dedicated breaks to connect.
• April 23-25, 2024 - 8th Annual Charting the LifeCourse Showcase 2024: Come together with the network of advocates, families, and professionals to explore how Charting the LifeCourse weaves together personal growth, community engagement, policy advancements, and technological innovations to promote self-determination and good lives for all.

This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $93,175; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by US Department of Education, HRSA, HHS or the Federal Government.