Resource fair to focus on changes

Students with special needs who are getting ready to leave school can visit a fair on Saturday to help them figure out their next step.

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The CSRA Transition Resource Fair will be held from 9 a.m. until noon at Lakeside High School, 533 Blue Ridge Drive, Evans.

Representatives from such agencies as the Social Security Administration, Augusta State University, Augusta Technical College, Medical College of Georgia, JobCorps, Walton Options and more will be on hand.

"Some of our parents who came last year didn't realize there were so many different options," said Teri Pettyjohn, a special services coordinator for the Columbia County school system.

"It's set up like a college fair. Every organization has a booth, and parents can walk around and talk to whoever is more appropriate for their child's needs."

The entire focus of the event, Pettyjohn said, is to show special needs students the array of possibilities.

"It's about transitioning from the school setting to post-secondary, whether that is college, work or residential facilities," she said. "It runs the gamut of serving students with very significant disabilities to those with some so mild you wouldn't notice."

The event is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Labor, Richmond County Department of Special Education and Support Services, East Georgia GLRS, and the Columbia County Board of Education Special Services Department.

For information, call the state labor department at (706) 650-5638.

If you go

What: CSRA Transition Resource Fair

Where: Lakeside High School

When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

More: (706) 650-5638