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Deer Creek highlights new transition program and student-run shop for 1822 learners
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Summary
Caitlin Hernandez presented the expanded Deer Creek Transition Center, describing an 18-to-22-year-old program with functional academics, community-based instruction, school work-study placements, and a student-run DCTC shop; a student (AJ) described practical gains including doing laundry and work-study duties.
The Deer Creek School Board heard an extended presentation on the Deer Creek Transition Center (DCTC), which this year launched an expanded 1822 program to provide transition services under FAPE through age 22.
Caitlin Hernandez, the transition teacher, said the program focuses on post-school readiness through four major areas: functional academics (practical math and reading for daily life), community-based instruction (shopping and real-world practice), school-based work-study placements, and career exploration aligned to individualized education program (IEP) goals. "We spend time in functional academics," Hernandez said, citing budgeting, reading schedules and community sign recognition as examples.
Hernandez described a student-run DCTC shop as a new element. Students have designed products, used tools and produced items such as seasonal "boo bags," thankful jars and cookie kits for sale to staff and the community; Hernandez framed the shop as a hands-on extension of employability training. She also described school-site work-study placements; one student works three hours a day in the high-school cafeteria.
A first-year transition student, AJ, spoke to the board about personal progress, saying, "I can do laundry," and that his favorite part of the day is the work-study program and trips such as Christmas shopping.
Hernandez said the DCTC currently serves five students ages 1822 22 and anticipates that number will double next year; the program aims to expand the shop and partner with community businesses to create additional work sites. Board members praised the program and thanked staff for developing the center.
