Good afternoon Madam Chair. My name is Mike Asip and I am the Policy Chair of the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education. I want to thank Del. Laufer for bringing HB85 before this body. I speak for my organization strongly in support of HB85, which seeks to create a postsecondary transition counselor certificate program that can improve successful enrollment, support, and performance of students with disabilities in Virginia's two and four year colleges and universities. Some of our students are provided extensive services in their Pre-K-12 settings and could be capable in college with the added support of a skilled transition counselor. That hand off and supports from secondary to post secondary settings would make a tremendous difference for our students. HB85 is a low-risk, high-leverage strategy. There is no mandated hiring, no required participation, and no state budget impact. Our students with disabilities in post secondary demonstrate completion gaps that persist even when students are academically qualified, indicating barriers related to support and navigation rather than ability. I am aware of other states that provide more than accommodations, with support services that close this completion gap. We would appreciate the subcommittee's support of HB85 for the futures of Virginia students with disabilities, enhancing Virginia's educational opportunities and workforce development. Thank you Madam Chair and members of the Subcommittee.

Comments Document

On behalf of the Virginia Division on Career Development and Transition (VADCDT), we ask that you review our attached written letter of support for Delegate Laufer's HB85 to require the State Council of Higher Education to develop and establish a Virginia-specific postsecondary transition counselor certificate program.

Good afternoon Madam Chair. My name is Katie Smith and I work at Henrico County Public Schools as the Director of Special Education and also am a member of the Virginia Council of Exceptional Children and Council of Administrators of Special Education. I am strongly in support of HB85, which seeks to create a postsecondary transition counselor certificate program that can improve successful enrollment, support, and performance of students with disabilities in Virginia's two and four year colleges and universities. Some of our students are provided extensive services in their Pre-K-12 settings and could be capable in college with the added support of a skilled transition counselor. Many of our transition supports are geared towards supporting students who are not college bound, and a transition counselor would help significantly to ensure we provide a balance of resources and support to all students with disabilities and their families/guardians to ensure post-secondary success. Again, please support HB85 for the futures of Virginia students with disabilities . I would like to thank Del. Laufer for patroning this bill. Thank you Madam Chair and members of the Subcommittee.

Good afternoon Madam Chair. My name is Lauran Ziegler and am a retired special educator of 38 years in both Chesterfield and Hanover Schools and a member of the Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education. I speak for my organization strongly in support of HB85, which seeks to create a postsecondary transition counselor certificate program that can improve successful enrollment, support, and performance of students with disabilities in Virginia's two and four year colleges and universities. Some of our students are provided extensive services in their Pre-K-12 settings and could be capable in college with the added support of a skilled transition counselor. In my many ears as a special educator I have seen that opening opportunities for special education students to access post secondary support will enable our students to continue to achieve their goals in careers and life. Again, please support HB85 for the futures of Virginia students with disabilities. We thank Del. Laufer for patroning this bill. Thank you Madam Chair and members of the Subcommittee."