The Van Buren Intermediate School District (VBISD) hosted a Transition Fair on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the VBISD Conference Center, bringing together students, families, educators, and community partners to support students as they prepare for life after high school.
The event welcomed students from across Van Buren County who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 Plans, along with their families, guardians, teachers, and school staff. Throughout the day, the conference center was filled with energy and meaningful conversations as attendees explored resources designed to help students successfully transition into adulthood.
Students had the opportunity to connect directly with colleges, training programs, service agencies, and community organizations to learn about career pathways, employment supports, continued education opportunities, and independent living resources. For many students, the fair offered an empowering opportunity to begin envisioning their future and exploring the many possibilities available to them after graduation.
“Seeing such a strong turnout and the level of engagement from students throughout the day was incredibly exciting,” said Karla Vandenberg, VBISD Consultant and coordinator of the Transition Fair. “We were also grateful for the parents and families who took the time to attend and support their students as they plan for the future. Our vendors were outstanding. They were so supportive, knowledgeable, and truly invested in making connections with students. Events like this highlight the power of bringing schools, families, and community partners together to help students begin envisioning life after high school.”
VBISD extends sincere appreciation to the many organizations and partners who participated and shared their expertise with students and families. Their support and collaboration helped make the Transition Fair a valuable resource for the entire community.
Participating organizations included:
Adult Multilingual Education of VBISD
Van Buren Migrant/Multilingual Program (VBISD)
Disability Network Southwest Michigan
Disability Services for Students (DSS)
Kalamazoo Valley Community College – Office for Student Access
Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential
Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
Michigan Career and Technical Institute
Michigan Rehabilitation Services
The Arc Community Advocates
The Ark Services for Youth
Van Buren Community Mental Health
Van Buren County Department of Health and Human Services
Western Michigan University – College of Health and Human Services
Van Buren Youth Initiative (VBISD)
CTC Transition to Work Program (VBISD)
Van Buren Tech (VBISD)
AAC/AT Consultants (VBISD)
Community Transition Center (VBISD)
Events like the VBISD Transition Fair demonstrate the importance of collaboration among schools, families, and community organizations to ensure every student has access to the resources and support needed to build a successful and fulfilling future.