Transitioning to Adulthood The transition process for students with special learning needs can sometimes be confusing This presentation is designed to help make it simple

You Will Have Opportunities! You will be able to remain in school until the end of the school year you turn 21 You will be able to work part time while you are learning You will be able to take elective classes that interest you You will continue learning academic and independent living skills

You Will Have Choices! You may choose a mentorship You may choose paid employment You can choose an adult services agency You can choose elective courses

You Are Entitled to Education You are entitled to a free and public education up to and including age 21 When you turn age 19, you may qualify for the Post-Secondary Program If you do not qualify, you should remain at your home school You must do this to qualify for GTYI funds

Entitlement to Educational Services -While attending Baltimore County Public Schools, you are entitled to the various educational services that you need in order to learn For example, your IEP may indicate that you need speech/language services, extra time, modifications for testing, etc

Eligibility You and your parent/guardian must prove eligibility for adult services You do this by providing each agency with a copy of your: Current IEP Current Educational Assessment Current Psychological Evaluation

Applying for Adult Services There are two main agencies that work with persons who have learning needs, or disabilities, in Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services, or DORS for short Developmental Disabilities Administration, or DDA for short

Applying for Adult Services DORS Provides short-term services such as: A vocational evaluation A driving evaluation Vocational counseling DDA Provides long term services such as: Supported employment Job coach Job search and placement

All students with developmental disabilities should apply for Social Security Income by the time they turn 18 if they have not already done so Be sure you do not have more than $2,000 in any bank account that is in your name, or you won’t qualify! Go to to apply and find out more information ! Social Security Services

Medical Assistance All students with disabilities should apply for Medical Assistance of they have not already done so. You need to have medical assistance in order to qualify for DDA services when you turn 21. Go to for more informationwww.dhmh.state.md.us

Applying to DORS You should apply to DORS about 6 months to a year before you turn 21 Your Transition Facilitator has the application You can also go to their website and apply The web address is: The website has videos and other cool stuff!

Apply for DDA Immediately Your Transition Facilitator will give you an application at your annual IEP team meeting. Your parent/guardian will need to help you as it is 10 pages long! Your parent/guardian will sign the Consent for Release of Records form Give both to your teacher or mail to T.F.

There is a Wait List for DDA Services That’s why your need to hand in the application and consent form as soon as possible If you, your parent/guardian need help, they can call the Transition Facilitator Sometimes there are meetings to show parents/guardians how to complete the application

Governors Youth Transitioning Initiative Another reason to hand in your application quickly, is so that you will be able to qualify for money that comes from GTYI funds GTYI funds are a pot of “special money” that is set aside each year for students like you who are You want to gain access to that money!

DDA Eligibility Determination Someone from DDA will contact your home to interview you This is a part of the process of determining your eligibility If you are found eligible, you will receive an eligibility letter Keep this and all of your other records in a safe place

Service Coordination About 6 months before you turn 21, a Service Coordinator will be assigned to you This person will help determine what kinds of services you will need when you leave school They will send your records to another agency that figures out how much money your services will cost each year

Adult Services Agency By October of the year your turn 21, you must choose an Adult Service Provider This agency will be the one that provides your job coach, etc. You must also fill out an application for this agency ahead of time Attend Transition Forums/Fairs to “shop” for an agency before you chose one

You Are an Adult! When you receive you Maryland State Certificate at the end of the school year in which you turn 21, you are an adult! You and your parent/guardians have completed all the hard work necessary to transition to adulthood and the world of work-congratulations!