Presenters: John & Martie Jensen Co-Coordinators L.I.V.E Services

Collaboration That Works! Transportation & Vocational

Services

LISD transportation has partnered with vocational services in a collaborative effort to create a positive environment for students that is cost effective, yet still provides for the needs of those students who require special considerations. This partnership effort has provided more varied job site opportunities and a greater ratio of paid employment.

“We are here to help students not just live, but have a life.”

L.I.V.E. Services Leander Independent Vocational

Education

Blueprint of creating collaborative system between transportation & Special Education services

Retiring and passing along valuable information

We recognize this is a systemic state-wide issue

Why we are here?

•We have been told this couldn’t be done…•How to break down silo’s?•Does size of district matter?

Impossible?

1990’s- OJT1999-Cedar Park High School-OJT & Supported

Employment2000-2 drivers & 1 job coach part time(no

training). Continuous improvement team began.2001- Added Leander HS, gradually adding

CATE, Transportation schedule developed. Full time job coach hired, and training began.

2005-Dedicated buses addedPresent-5 High Schools, MS & HS Sports

teams(swimming, golf, etc.), CTE classes, Vocational services.

From Icky, Good, to Great

Figured out a system needed to be put into place

District was growing-current system was not using taxpayers money well

We went to Transportation directorKey players-Transportation Director, Special

Ed. Director, and Assistant Superintendent of Finance

How to manage resistance

Collaboration & Communication is extremely important

Prior planning prevents poor performanceVision in place-not formalTransportation schedule gave everyone

structureTransportation figured out systems among

transportation

Day to Day Keys to Success

Never told how to do jobTransition coordinatorVocational teachers & staffLife Skills teachers & staffSpecial Education Director

Working collaboratively with Special Education

CostRoutesSuburbansResistance from Administration

Manage Big Issues

Special Education AdministratorsTransportationVocational service teachers & StaffLife Skills teachers & StaffSports Team coachesCTE staff

Point People

SuburbansWeekly schedulesConstant communicationProving cost effectiveness

Solutions

DistrictStudents livesEmployersCommunity-Wranglers & local businessesFamiliesAdministration

Impact

We now know that we have buy in from the stake holders

Not just about islands, it’s everyone working toward a common goal

Continuous communication

Where we go from here?