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WACO, TEXAS – Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 in collaboration with other local organizations will host Giant Steps Toward a Bright Future, a two-day transition fair for parents and children with disabilities. The event will focus on options after high school for students with special needs and will take place Oct. 20-21 in Temple, Texas.

Unlike past years, this unique transition fair expects to double the number of participants as this will be the first time ever to invite students to the event. Expecting about 600 participants, the fair will be divided into two days, the first specifically targeted towards students and the second for parents and professionals.

“In order to increase the likelihood of a successful transition from school to adulthood, we need to share what resources and options are available. In the past, when we just invited the parents and teachers, we were missing a critical part of the audience,” said Tina Herzberg, co-organizer of this year’s transition fair and team leader for ESC Region 12. “The students are the real key! They have dreams and goals for the future, and when we work together, the possibilities are endless.”

Day 1: Student Day
The student day will be held Friday, Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Pavilion and Health Science Center at Temple College. Notable speakers will include former Dallas Cowboy Burton Lawless and Temple Mayor Bill Jones, III. Students will learn about their options after high school. Sessions will cover self-advocacy, community and statewide services, strategies for securing a job and college survival skills.

Day 2: Parent Day
Day two of the fair will take place Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Scott & White’s TAMU Building in Temple. The conference, hosted by the Children’s Special Needs Network (CSNN) and the Children's Hospital at Scott & White, is being held in conjunction with the "Giant Steps" Transition Fair. State Representative Dianne Delisi will be a special guest. Sessions will cover medical issues, behavior management, financial planning, employment, accessing community services, special education, assistive technology, therapies, and family concerns. Exhibitors will be onsite with information about available resources. Child care and lunch will be provided for free with prior registrations.

“Parents and professionals will have a unique opportunity to obtain information regarding a broad spectrum of topics with confidence that their children are not only well cared for, they are having a blast,” Mary Klentzman, CSNN Director said.

Although free, pre-registration is required. Interested individuals should register online for this event at www.esc12.net. Each day of Giant Steps must be registered for separately. Session # 01766 should be used for the student day and session # 017430 should be used for the parent/professional day.

For more information about the student day, please contact Tina Herzberg at 254-297-1152 or therzberg@esc12.net. For more information about the parent/professional day, please contact Mary Klentzman at 1-800-600-3940 or mklentzman@special-children.org.

About ESC Region 12
One of 20 centers throughout Texas, the Region 12 Education Service Center (ESC) provides professional training and technical assistance for the purpose of improving student performance for all students. Based in Waco, with offices in Nolanville, Corsicana, Goldthwaite, Hillsboro, and Teague, the Region 12 ESC’s service area includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, Mills, McLennan and Navarro counties.

About Children’s Special Needs Network
Children's Special Needs Network, Inc., CSNN, is a non-profit organization that serves a large part of Central Texas providing support for families who have children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. These services are free and include an annual statewide conference, a Loan Closet of donated medical equipment and supplies, respite care, a newsletter, a Resource Library, and information and referral.

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