Burlington Review

State Senator Troy Singleton and the Burlington County Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the New Jersey Department of Education’s decision to allocate $1.4 million to the Burlington County Special Services School District to enhance a program for young adults with disabilities.

Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson commended the district, stating, “The BCSSSD Transition School program epitomizes that mission and teaches young adults skills needed to gain meaningful employment, live independently and pursue their dreams." She added, "This state funding will help the school district further enhance the Transition School to better prepare students for their lives ahead."

Senator Singleton also praised the program, saying, “Since 2016, the BCSSSD Transition School has helped hundreds of students learn skills needed for them to find work and live independently." He expressed pride in the school and its students and thanked the Department of Education for providing significant funds to expand the program's learning opportunities.

The grant will enable the school to offer expanded opportunities for Transition School students to attend classes at Rowan College at Burlington County, launch a new culinary program, and establish a partnership with the Burlington County Library System for student work opportunities at the Main Branch Library café.

Furthermore, the funds will be utilized to create student portfolios for job placements, purchase virtual reality equipment for workplace learning, and acquire a driving simulator to assist students in obtaining driver’s licenses. Tyler Burrell, president of the Burlington County Special Services School District Board of Education, highlighted the comprehensive skills taught in the program, stating, "From transportation and job training to cooking, cleaning, money management, and other life skills, the BCSSSD Transition School Program helps prepare our adult students to find success in the workplace and at home."

The state funding will allow the school district to enhance the Transition School program, making it a model for other transition programs across the state and region and better meet the needs of its students.