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TUSD Community Transition Programs

Arizona Golden Barrels

Transition Fair Community Agencies

Download a flyer giving a brief overview of TUSD's four in high school, Community Transition Programs below.

2025 Transition Fair Vendor Map

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Disability Advocacy

Disability advocacy groups play a crucial role in advancing the rights and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. These organizations work to promote inclusivity, fight discrimination, and ensure access to essential services and resources. By raising awareness, influencing policy changes, and providing support, advocacy groups help to break down barriers and create a more equitable society.

Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC)

The Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council promotes greater community inclusion across the lifespan for all Arizonans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Council achieves this through grantmaking, advocacy, research and innovative projects in five key goal areas: self-determination, meaningful careers, inclusion, system access, and safety. A staff of six assists the all-volunteer Council, which is made up of individuals with disabilities, family members, professionals in the disability field, and state agency representatives appointed by the Governor of Arizona.

Direct Advocacy and Resource Center

Direct is run by and for people with disabilities. We are part of a national network of Centers for Independent Living (CILs) that supports individuals in pursuing their goals and advocates for disability rights and justice.

Diverse Ability Incorporated

The mission of Diverse Ability Incorporated is to create, promote, and model access, equity, inclusion, and brave spaces that celebrate diversity, infuse representation, and foster wellness within individuals, communities, and systems.

Disability Rights Arizona

Disability Rights Arizona is the protection and advocacy agency for Arizonans with disabilities. DRAZ is a not for profit public interest law firm, dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals with a wide range of physical, mental, psychiatric, sensory and cognitive disabilities.

Career & Educational Opportunities

Our partners are dedicated to enhancing career and educational opportunities for people with disabilities are pivotal in fostering a more inclusive workforce and academic environment. These organizations focus on creating pathways to success by offering specialized training, mentorship, and resources tailored to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.

Beacon Group

We provide a variety of employment-related programs, as well as the education and socialization necessary for our clients to lead meaningful, productive lives. Beacon Group enterprises offer local businesses high-quality sub-contract services such as custodial and landscaping, contract manufacturing and packaging, cable assembly, fleet and facility services, confidential document shredding, and more.

Brande Kitzberger and Annie Blue Waters for Workability/ UCPSA

A UCP of Southern Arizona employment services program. WorkAbility is an individualized and supportive employment program dedicated to teaching and preparing people with disabilities for competitive, integrated and sustainable work opportunities in the Tucson area. We also help with resume building, job searching, interview strategies, assist with job placement, and more.

Desert Survivors Inc.

Desert Survivors Inc. is dedicated to providing quality employment to adults with developmental disabilities, advocacy for families and individuals, desert-friendly products at our native plant nursery, and services to our community.

Fred G Acosta Job Corps

With over 120 campuses across the United States, Job Corps provides free career training and education for low-income 16- through 24-year-olds. Here, students get the experience they need to begin a career or apprenticeship, go on to college, or join the military. The best part? It’s free.

RISE Services, Inc.

Since 1987, RISE has provided practical, professional, and personal growth opportunities for children, adults, and their families. With our innovative approach, we are dedicated to transforming the lives of the individuals and families we serve through the delivery of person-centered services.

Easterseals Blake Foundation

For more than 100 years, Easterseals has been the indispensable resource for people and families living with disabilities. Throughout all life’s moments – from the extraordinary to the ordinary and everything in between – Easterseals is here to help people and families realize and reach for their full potential.

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Goodwill Tucson

Our Mission: To provide jobs & training for people to gain skills and achieve independence!

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SEVITA Health

At Sevita, we believe everyone deserves to live a full, independent life, and the best place to do that is in their home and community.

Our services help families, children, and adults of all ages live joyful lives of their own choosing, no matter what challenges they face. We’ve made this our mission for more than 50 years.

Tucson Community Connections

Tucson Community Connections, LLC, is a qualified Service Provider contracted with the State of Arizona, Department of Economic Security, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DES/DDD). The company is owned and operated by Melodie Gilbertson and her sister, Colleen Peters.

We offer our services for people who experience one or more of the following life challenges; autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or intellectual disabilities.

In partnership with the people we serve, our mission is to seek out opportunities for self discovery and self-expression, by building a network of connections and resources in our community, offering meaningful skill building and developing deep, lasting relationships.

Pima County Public Library

The Pima County Public Library offers free events and workshops to help with finding careers.

We offer workshops in both English and Spanish.

Check out our event calendar at the "Visit Us" button below!

Employment Support

Organizations that support individuals with disabilities in employment often play a crucial role in fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities in the workforce.

CareerLink Southwest LLC

Career Link Southwest is an ongoing endeavor to initiate a bond between employers and clients, ultimately strengthening the ties within Arizona communities by providing the best employees into the appropriate work environment with employers who need them.

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Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona

Youth and adults with disabilities can access a variety of training and job options through Vocational Services. From high school and beyond, our committed team of specialists works closely with each person to identify their talents, help them develop their skills, and help them integrate into the community.

Elite Vocational and Tutoring Services, LLC

Our mission is to assist individuals in the areas of vocation, education, and daily life skills, promoting independence and opportunity in all aspects of life.

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Pima County Youth Center

Whether you are looking for work, changing careers, or trying to get back into school, the Youth Employment Center provides workforce and education services for young people ages 14 to 24. Let us help you discover your career pathway and reach your goals

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Odyssey Services Corp

At Odyssey Services Corp, we take pride in our extensive experience serving individuals with diverse needs and unique abilities for over half a century. We firmly believe that every person deserves equal opportunities to be recognized and fully participate in society, regardless of their individual circumstances. Our mission is to empower individuals to lead self-determined and dignified lives through efficient and effective services. With compassion, dedication, and care, we strive to advance the rights and opportunities of all individuals across our state.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

The Vocational Rehabilitation program provides a variety of services to persons with disabilities, with the ultimate goal to prepare for, enter into, or retain employment.

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Community Transition Programs

Community transition programs for young adults with disabilities are designed to support their journey towards independence by focusing on workplace readiness, career exploration, and continued education. Hands-on training, mentorship, and individualized guidance, these programs empower young adults to navigate the transition from school to the workforce or higher education, fostering self-confidence and helping them achieve their personal and professional goals.

ACT Program

Instead of being located on traditional high school campuses, ACT is delivered in community-based settings, many of which are in proximity to the University of Arizona's campus. This two-year program uses a research-based, experiential learning curriculum to help students continue their transition and learning in inclusive, age-appropriate environments.

ACT's curriculum focuses on skills learned through practical application, such as volunteer work, internships, and interacting with the public. Students gain hands-on experience and apply their learning in real-world contexts. Each student's program is tailored to their individual goals and objectives, which are developed in collaboration with them and their families.

Project FOCUS

Project FOCUS (Focusing Opportunities with Community and University Support), in collaboration with the College of Education and Pima County public school districts, provides a unique post-high school transition opportunity for students (ages 18-21) with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Project FOCUS provides access to the University of Arizona’s academic courses, community-based internships and campus life social events to increase students' independence, communication and employability.

Project SEARCH

Modeled on an internationally recognized employment training program developed at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Project SEARCH programs in Arizona provide young people with disabilities quality unpaid internships for hands-on training and career exploration. Programs take place entirely within a host business where total immersion in the workplace facilitates the teaching and learning process through continuous feedback and the acquisition of employability and competitive work skills. The goal for each intern upon completion of a program is competitive employment in the community.

TSW

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (RSA) Transition School to Work (TSW) program is designed to prepare students with disabilities, grade 9 through 12, for employment. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors collaborate with school social workers to ensure multiple avenues of support are available to each student participating in TSW. Students in the TSW program work with their VR counselors to explore employment and post-secondary education opportunities, to obtain work-based learning experiences and workplace readiness training, and to develop social and independent living skills.

Mental Health Initiatives

Mental health initiative organizations are instrumental in supporting transition-aged individuals with disabilities, typically between the ages of 14 and 24, as they navigate the shift from adolescence to adulthood. These organizations provide tailored services such as career counseling, educational support, and life skills training, addressing the unique challenges faced during this critical period. They often offer personalized mental health care and advocacy to help these young adults manage the complexities of increased independence and self-sufficiency.

COPE Community Services

Our mission is to provide best practice-based, integrated physical and mental healthcare to improve the health and well-being of each person and community we serve.

NAMI Southern Arizona

Mental health problems are very common. One in five American adults and youth are affected, so someone you know and care about suffers from a mental illness. NAMI Southern Arizona has been serving the Tucson community since 1983, providing no-cost mental health advocacy, education and support to all affected by mental illness. Mental illness is like any other illness, with proper care, it can be treated and managed, and recovery is possible.

Postsecondary Education Supports

Postsecondary education supports for transition-aged individuals with disabilities are vital in fostering an inclusive and equitable academic environment. Many institutions offer transition programs that help students develop crucial skills for managing their education and personal lives, such as time management and self-advocacy.

Pima Community College- Access and Disability Resources

Individuals with disabilities will find that Pima strives to make all college events and activities accessible to them. The ADR office serves students and the community.

Family Resources

These resources often include specialized advocacy groups, informational workshops, and access to community services designed to address specific needs. By utilizing these resources, families gain not only practical tools and strategies for supporting their child’s learning and development but also a sense of community and shared experience. This network of support can empower families to better advocate for their child’s needs, connect with other parents facing similar challenges, and access additional services such as therapy, financial assistance, and educational accommodations.

Encircle Families

Encircle Families exists to improve the lives of children with the full range of disabilities, from birth to age 26, by providing support, training, information and individual assistance so families can become effective advocates for their children.

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