Wake program aims to help students who've aged out of the school system with transitional skills

People who are 22 years old but left the Wake County Public School System in June will now have access to a new program to provide transitional skills past high school.

The Wake County Board of Education approved the $500,000 contract with Arc of the Triangle on Tuesday night.

It’s a day program to students who have turned 22 and left school this June with a certificate, where they will focus on transitional skills and other skills they may have lost during COVID-19 pandemic.

Once people turn 21, they are no longer able to be traditional K-12 students and aren’t covered by laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

The district sought this program with a community partner after board members and others asked how the district would help students who may have lost out on some pg

“This really is an example of outside the box thinking,” Superintendent Cathy Moore said.

Arc of the Triangle is a Raleigh nonprofit that provides services and support to children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.