Topic: Creating Workplaces for All: From Pathways to Employers

Josh Cobbs is the Director of Employment Initiatives at Autism Speaks. In this role, he leads the development of Workplace Inclusion Now (WIN) and implements Autism Speaks’ ecosystem of employment services and supports. Previously, he served as a vocational counselor for the State of Iowa, where he worked with post-secondary institutions to create transition and employment programs for individuals facing barriers. He also founded an autism center.

Cobbs has testified twice before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies regarding access to telehealth services. As the inaugural Chairperson of the Iowa Governor’s Council on Autism, he played a key role in improving access to care and outcomes for Iowans. He lives in Iowa with his wife and three children and holds an M.A. in human service counseling.

Topic: The Importance of Planning for the Transition Plan

Franco Frazzetta is an educational leader and Program Administrator for Orange County Public Schools dedicated to Transition Services for students with disabilities.  He holds two Bachelor’s degrees from Florida State University in Education and Psychology, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. Currently residing in Central Florida, when not focused on improving educational outcomes, Franco enjoys spending time outdoors with his beloved wife and two amazing children. 

Discover a researched-based and systematic approach to Transition Planning. This session provides a linear methodology for integrating essential components, including curriculum planning, post-secondary goal alignment, data review, and compliance with legal statutes and milestones. Attendees will receive actionable strategies for creating a cohesive, long-term plan that comprehensively addresses individual student needs, leading directly to successful post-school outcomes.

Topic: DeSoto High School High Tech

Ericka Lee is a certified paraprofessional, who started working for DeSoto County school system in 2014. Ericka started in the inclusion classroom and transitioned to mainstream supporting math, English, and HSHT classrooms.

Michelle Moore is an education advocate in the Tampa Bay area. A volunteer with Blooom, she is passionate about inclusive entrepreneurship and helping young adults with disabilities build skills for independence and success in Florida’s future workforce.

Blooom empowers young adults with disabilities through hands-on entrepreneurship and local food systems. By growing and selling microgreens, students build skills in teamwork, business, and independence while contributing to their communities. Through Blooom’s ready-to-launch Starter Kit which includes training, supplies, and curriculum, schools can create inclusive, student-led microgreen enterprises that foster confidence, purpose, and pathways to employment. Blooom is rooted in one simple idea: everyone deserves the chance to grow and thrive.

Topic: Empowering Futures: HSHT Strategies for Transition Planning and Postsecondary Opportunities

Iris Neil, M.Ed., is a passionate advocate for inclusive education and postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities. As Program Manager and Outreach Coordinator at the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at UCF, she leads statewide initiatives, professional development, and webinars that empower educators and families. Iris also chairs the Southeast Postsecondary Education Alliance (SEPSEA), driving collaboration across the region. Her career spans K–12 and higher education, including launching one of Florida’s first inclusive postsecondary programs and contributing to the state’s inaugural TPSID grant.

This session will guide HSHT coordinators and educators in building inclusive pathways that prepare students with intellectual disabilities for successful transitions to college, career, and community life. Participants will learn how to integrate the Guideposts for Success into programming, align IEP goals with postsecondary opportunities, and leverage Florida’s Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (FPCTPs) to expand options for students.

Topic: The Power of Student Engagement in Secondary Transition Individual Education Plan (TIEP) Meetings

Kim Thorne, Regional Transition, Representative, Region 3; Project 10: Transition Education Network
Jennifer Treadway, Regional Transition Representative, Region 4; Project 10

This training is designed to identify and explain the critical benefits students experience through participation in their TIEP meetings that support personal growth, school achievement, and life-long success. Parents can support their youth’s TIEP participation when they understand the value it holds for their student.