Where Every Choice Matters.

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Who We Are.

The OATECA Transition Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering adults with significant disabilities through personalized life skills, job training, and community involvement. Our individualized approach helps participants build confidence, develop independence, and prepare for meaningful opportunities beyond the classroom. Founded by professionals with extensive experience in special education and transition services, we provide a supportive environment where every individual is encouraged to grow, achieve their goals, and become an active member of their community.

Learn more

Building Skills. Creating Opportunities. Inspiring Independence.

A man in a red shirt sitting at a table with organized containers and folders, working at an office or workspace environment.
A person with a nasal cannula smiling and raising one arm, standing in a room with metal shelving and containers in the background.
A young man with glasses sitting on a toilet, smiling, with skin condition scars on his legs. He wears a black t-shirt, gray shorts, white socks, and black sneakers. There is a woman standing beside him, wearing leopard print pants and a tan top. The setting appears to be a public or institutional bathroom with a yellow wall and a clock in the background.
A young girl with red hair, glasses, and a tan shirt is washing dishes at a kitchen sink. An adult woman, wearing a black shirt and a name badge, stands nearby. The kitchen has a white dish rack, soap on the counter, and various kitchen items.

Integrity, creativity, passion, and empathy shape the way we develop individualized plans for our members.

Meet Our Team

Click on the pictures to learn more!

A woman with short brown hair smiling, wearing a black blazer, white shirt, and a colorful beaded necklace, standing with her arms crossed, leaning against a textured wall in an indoor setting.

​Executive Director

Shelby Jones, MA

A woman with blonde, wavy hair and blue eyes wearing a black blazer and a gold necklace, sitting on a yellow chair in a cozy indoor space with a brick wall and bookshelves in the background.

​Assistant Director

Danielle Howell, M.Ed.

A smiling woman with long gray hair wearing a black long sleeve top standing in a hallway with beige walls and stairs in the background.

​Program Coordinator

Alane Buseman

Meet the Board!

❊ Testimonials

Empowered by Participants. Trusted by Families.

Seriously! But don’t take our word for it, here are some things people have to say about us.


— Deborah P., Parent


— Danielle H., Parent


— Duane H., Parent

❊ FAQs

You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers

  • The OATECA Transition Program provides a safe, engaging, and high-growth environment for teens and adults with significant disabilities. Moving beyond traditional care, the program provides a dedicated space for individuals to grow, break through social barriers, gain autonomy, and develop valuable community contributions. We aim to provide a high-quality, dignified environment where participants don't just occupy space—they build measurable skills for life.

  • Life Skills & Self-Help: Participants engage in hands-on learning modules focused on essential daily living tasks. This includes basic meal preparation, personal hygiene management, money handling, and time management to foster personal independence.

    Social Connection & Community Outings: Believing that true inclusion happens in the public sphere, this track utilizes structured community integration trips (e.g., local businesses, parks, grocery stores, and cultural sites). These outings allow participants to practice public navigation, social cues, and communication in supportive, real-world settings.

    Vocational & Work-Readiness Training: Utilizing interactive workspaces to simulate basic employment tasks, participants learn task completion, teamwork, follow-through, and workplace behavioral expectations. This foundation prepares them for future competitive employment or volunteer goals.

  • At OATECA Transition Center, we believe employment is about more than getting a job—it's about building confidence, independence, and the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

    Our members participate in hands-on vocational training, job readiness instruction, life skills development, and real-world learning experiences that help prepare them for meaningful employment opportunities. Through individualized goals, curriculum-based assessments, and community partnerships, we focus on developing essential workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, following directions, and personal responsibility.

    Every individual learns at their own pace, and our goal is to help each member discover their strengths, build confidence, and prepare for a future that reflects their unique abilities and interests.

  • ATECA Transition Center is designed for adults (18+) with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are seeking opportunities to build independence, develop life and vocational skills, and become more active participants in their community.

    Our program is a great fit for individuals who:

    • Have completed high school or exited the school transition system.

    • Want to continue learning in a supportive, engaging environment.

    • Are interested in developing job readiness and employment skills.

    • Want to increase independence through life skills training.

    • Enjoy participating in community-based activities and volunteer opportunities.

    • Benefit from individualized instruction and goal setting tailored to their unique strengths and interests.

    We believe every individual has something valuable to contribute. That's why our program is personalized to meet each member where they are and help them grow toward their own goals and definition of success.

    If you're unsure whether OATECA is the right fit, we'd love to meet you! We encourage prospective members and their families to schedule a tour, ask questions, and learn more about how we can support their journey.

    Your next chapter starts here—and we'd be honored to be part of it.