BOARDMAN — On Saturday, the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, in conjunction with the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, will host its annual Transition Fair at the Southern Park Mall.

The event is geared toward those ages 14 to 22 who have a disability and are preparing to transition from the school environment into the next stage of life.

“We have 13 school districts in Mahoning County that have young people with developmental disabilities,” said MCBDD Service Support Administration Supervisor George Gabriel. “Some students stay in the school setting until age 22.”

No matter the age, when graduation is looming, it can be a tense time not knowing what the next phase of life will bring. For some, it means seeking independence and even entering the workforce. For others, it may be continued care outside the classroom environment. The Transition Fair brings answers for both.

“The event will include providers and agencies who can help with the transition,” Gabriel said. “We will have 27 agencies in attendance this year. There will also be help with applying for Social Security for those who need it.”

The Transition Fair started in 2018 and Gabriel said there was a two-year break during the pandemic years before it returned. For many families, the event is a welcome one.

“Our families say they become overwhelmed with the transition from the school setting into adult life that has so many new challenges,” said SSA Supervisor Jeannine Baker. “This fair shows the many agencies that can help in that process. I’ve had families say how great the fair was and many didn’t realize all the resources available to them.”

She said there has been an increase in the number attending the fair each year. The event also will be part of the MCBDD’s Employment Awareness Month.

“We presently have around 80 former students with developmental disabilities employed in the Mahoning Valley,” Baker said. “And we will have a vendor at this year’s fair who is looking to hire.”

Among the services introduced at this fair are future planning services, community links, career navigation and assistive technology guidance.

The free event is scheduled 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Southern Park Mall’s Center Court, 7401 Market St., Boardman.

For more on this event and others that MCBDD hosts, visit www.MAHONINGDD.org.