Statewide TSLP Events
TSLP provides regionally based events and activities for high school students with disabilities, their parents, educators, and adult service agencies. These transition events and activities provide education and information for students with disabilities to make a seamless transition from high school to the adult world of employment, education or training, and independent living.
Youth Leadership Forum
The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a 5-day conference that enables young adults who have a disability to learn from each other along with successful adults with disabilities who are recognized leaders and role models. Students learn more about their own disability and others’ disabilities, how to analyze their own strengths and weaknesses, enhanced organizational skills, different leadership styles, about the legislative process and disability laws, how to influence others, etiquette, and much more!
What is YLF?
The YLF 2026 Application Deadlines Have Passed
YLF Promotional Video
2024 YLF Video
Catch the College Wave
Catch the College Wave is a half-day conference for high school students with disabilities considering post-secondary education.
- Participate in panel discussions with current college or technical college students who have disabilities
- Ask Disability/Accessibility Services Coordinators your entrance and eligibility requirement questions
- Learn how to secure appropriate accommodations
- Practice self-advocacy and communication skills
All 2025 Catch the College Wave events have passed.
Catch the Wave Manual – A guide to post-secondary education for students with disabilities in South Dakota.
2020 Virtual Catch the College Wave Event
Week 1: Key Differences between High School and College
- TSLP Key Differences High School vs. College (YouTube)
- Key Differences – High School vs. Post-Secondary
Week 2: Disability Services and Supports
- Disability Coordinators Services and Supports (YouTube)
- South Dakota Disability Coordinators Quick Tips Video
- Post-Secondary Disability Services Office
- Post-Secondary Tips for Parents
Week 3: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services
Week 4: Financial Aid 101
Week 5: Assistive Technology Resources
- Assistive Technology (YouTube)
- Post-Secondary Tips for Parents
- DakotaLink – provides direct services to individuals with disabilities and the elderly. These services can include individual assessments, equipment sales, installation and training of assistive technology.
**Disclaimer: these videos were created in 2020, so new information may be available**
Let's Talk Work
Let’s Talk Work is a half-day conference designed specifically for high school students who have a disability focusing on employment.
Spring 2026 Let’s Talk Work Dates:
- February 25, 2026 – Mitchell
- April 1, 2026 – Ft. Pierre
- April 9, 2026 – Aberdeen
- April 14, 2026 – Sioux Falls
- April 15, 2026 – Box Elder
Transition IEP Workshops
That’s a wrap for the 2025 Transition IEP Workshops
Transition Round Ups
In April 2020, TSLP began ‘Transition Round Up’ Zooms as an alternative way to share information with special educators. Our Round Ups are generally held the fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:00-4:00pm CST. The PowerPoint or the recording of the Round Ups are posted to this website as allowed.
2025-2026 School Year Transition Round Up Dates:
February 25, 2026
March 25, 2026
April 22, 2026
Past Transition Round Ups
November 19, 2025
Career Awareness
October 22, 2025
Consent to Invite Outside Agency
September 24, 2025
Indicator 14 (Post-School Outcomes)
August 20, 2025
Project Skills
- Transition Round Up Video
- Pre-ETS & Project Skills PowerPoint
- ADP Desk Reference for Teachers/Providers
February 26, 2025
SDMyLife
October 23, 2024
Pre-ETS Summer Initiative and Independent Living Choices
September 25, 2024
South Dakota Parent Connection
August 28, 2024
HUGE NEWS … Project Skills Payroll Changes
April 24, 2024
Pre-ETS Camps and In the Words of Self Advocates
February 28, 2024
Graduation Requirements and Goal Writing for 18-21 Programs
November 29, 2023
Out of District Placement and Youth Leadership Forum from the Delegates
- Transition Round Up Video
- Out of District Placement Responsibilities PowerPoint
- Agency Comprehensive Plan Template
October 18, 2023
18-21 Programs and Summer Establishment Grants
- Transition Round Up Video
- STEP Academy 18-21 Transition Program (Harrisburg, SD) PowerPoint
- PRE-ETS Summer Initiative Grant PowerPoint
Resources for 18-21 Programs
September 27, 2023
Job Coaching Tips to Support Project Skills
March 22, 2023
Planning for When Students Leave High School
January 25, 2023
Rustle Up Some Assistive Tech
Brett Burden, DakotaLink
and Jordan Schuh, DSU
October 26, 2022
An Overview of Career and Technical Education Programs That Can Strengthen Transition IEPs
March 23, 2022
Parent Connection Isn’t Only For Parents
November 3, 2021
Learn about YLF, Dakota at Home, and Family Support 360
October 28, 2020
Transition Activities
Transition Summer Institute
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Transition Summer Institute 2026 – July 29-30, 2026
PowerPoint Presentations from Transition Summer Institute 2025:
- What a School Lawyer Wants You to Know: Transition Edition
- Navigating Digital Citizenship in Education: Legal Perspectives and Practical
- Considerations for Transition Age Students
- Understanding ADHD, Executive Functions and Behavior
- Strengthening Collaboration for Successful Transitions
- When Do I Teach Transition?: Curriculum, Transition, and Self-Advocacy Tips for Teachers
- Disruption, Defiance, Disrespect .. OH MY!
PowerPoint Presentations from Transition Summer Institute 2024:
- Preparing for Post-Secondary Success
- Best Practices for Educator Wellness and Longevity in Special Education
- Job Coaching Tips
- Write Up for Educators on Job Coaching Tips
- Project Skills Manual
- Project Skills Payroll Change Information
- Executive Functioning
- Graduation Requirements and Accommodations for HS Students with Disabilities
- CTE for Everyone
- Using Resources to Enhance Transition Planning
- When Do I Teach Transition?: Curriculum, Transition, and Self-Advocacy Tips for Teachers
- Building Meaningful Connections Between Family and School
- Improving Transition Processes District-Wide
PowerPoint Presentations from Transition Summer Institute 2023:
- Practical Strategies & Activities to Improve Transition Outcomes for Students with Disabilities
- Leveraging Assessment Methods for Quality Transition Planning and Implementation
- Why You Do the Things You Do – Demystifying the Secondary Transition Process
- HS Graduation Requirements for Students with Disabilities
- AT for Education, Employment & Independent Living
- Life Beyond High School: Tips to Create a Successful Future for Your Transitioning Students
- Pre-Employment Transition Services: How Teamwork Leads to Dreamwork
- Family Involvement in the IEP
Creative Employment Opportunities and Employment Supports (combined)
PowerPoint Presentations from Transition Summer Institute 2022:
- Curriculum Resources used in 18 to 21 Program
- Benefits Planning for Transition Age Youth 2022
- TSLP DDD Overview
- Quality Work Experiences through Creative Job Development
- Transition 101: The Basics
- ILAUGH & Getting to Work
- Transition Resources for Teachers
- Helping Students Unlock their Potential with Career & Technical Education
- Best Practices for Collaboration – VR & Teachers
- ADVANCE Young Adult Transition Program
- Wesleyan Quest 18 to 21 Program
Video Presentations
Transition Talks
- Serenity and Nora’s Advice to High School Students
- Accommodations for Someone Who Is Deaf
- Accommodations for Someone Who Is Blind
- Accommodations for Someone Who Has ADHD/ADD
- Serenity’s Advice on Project Skills
- Serenity’s Advice on IEP Meetings
- What Job Skills Would Have Helped Better Prepare You?
- What Was Your Experience Like Doing Project SEARCH?
- Is There Anything Your Teachers Could Have Done To Support You More?
- What Was Helpful To You About YLF?
- What Advice Would You Give to Your Younger Self?
- When Did You First Start Attending Your IEP Meetings In-Person and Why?
Other Videos