1. Preparing for adulthood

2. Our Goal
To meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in ways that are person centered and community based
Supporting individuals as they strive toward living in the home of their choice, working or otherwise contributing to the community, and having meaningful relationships
Helping individuals and families through the process of transition

3. OBJECTIVES What happens when students with IEPs turn 21?
Why do you need to plan?
When do you start planning?
Where do you begin?
Whom do you contact?

4. WHAT HAPPENS AT AGE 21? Take on adult daily living activities
Interact with communities in ways that are meaningful to the individuals
May get a job, volunteer, or get more education
Identify services that will support the individuals in living the lives they want to live
Are no longer eligible for services through the school

5. WHY YOU NEED TO PLAN How will your grown child spend his or her day?
How will your grown child be involved in his or her community?
Will your grown child work, study, or volunteer? Where?
How can your grown child live as independently as possible?
Where can you get the support your grown child needs?

6. When to start planning
IEP
The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) guides services that students receive from school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
By the time students in New York State turn 15, IEPs must include transition planning for when they leave school.
The earlier you start planning, the better!

7. IEP Transition services
Coordinated set of activities to help students reach their goals for after high school
For More Information
Download AFC’s Guide to Transition Services: Helping Students with Disabilities Move from School to Adulthood from hildren.org/sites/default/fil es/library/transition_guide. pdf?pt=1
Instruction
Related services
Community experiences
Development of employment and other adult living objectives
Acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational assessment (if applicable)
Although tailored somewhat to New York City, Advocates for Children of New York’s Guide to Transition Services: Helping Students with Disabilities Move from School to Adulthood provides valuable information about the transition process.

8. considerations Education and training Medical and health issues
IEP
Education and training
Legal matters and advocacy
Personal independence
Recreation and leisure
Financial matters
Medical and health issues
Transportation
Employment
Housing options
Community participation

9. Self-determination
IEP
Goals are based on the student’s interests, dreams, and strengths.
Encourage your student to think about the life he or she wants to live.
Help your student share his or her thoughts with the people who can help.

10. IT’s a team effort
IEP
A Committee on Special Education (CSE) develops the IEP.
Student and parents
Special and general education teachers of the student
Other school staff, including someone who can explain evaluation results
Related service providers
When transition is discussed in an IEP meeting, representatives of outside agencies are also invited, as fitting.
Vocational rehabilitation agency
Social Security Administration
Service agencies
Independent living centers

11. Government resources Social Security Administration (SSA)
NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
NYS Education Department’s Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)

12. programs for people with disabilities
SSA
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Medicaid and Medicare
Work Incentives
Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)
Ticket to Work

13. Supplemental Security Income
SSA
SSI is designed to help people with disabilities who have little or no income.
It provides monthly payments to those who are eligible.
There is no minimum age. Be aware that, at age 18, eligibility rules change.
For More Information
Call
Go to child-ussi.htm
Download SSI Child Disability Starter Kit from .gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_c hild_eng.htm
Visit your local Social Security office (locate it here: CON/main.jsp)

14. SSI and Transition If your child already receives SSI benefits:
SSA
If your child already receives SSI benefits:
Make sure the CSE considers the SSI benefits during transition planning.
Prepare for SSA to review your child’s condition when he or she turns age 18 to determine eligibility for SSI benefits as an adult.
If your child does not receive SSI benefits now:
Contact SSA to find out if your child will be eligible when he or she turns 18.
Talk to someone at the school who knows about the SSI application process.

15. Social Security Disability Insurance
SSA
SSDI provides benefits to people unable to work due to a disability.
To qualify, an individual has to earn enough work credits.
Children who have a disability that began before they turned age 22 may be eligible for SSDI benefits based on their parents’ work credits.
For More Information
Call
Go to disability/dqualify10.html#age22
Download Benefits for Children with Disabilities from
gov/ pubs/ EN pdf
Visit your local Social Security office (locate it here: CON/main.jsp)

16. Medicaid and Medicare Medicaid
SSA
Medicaid
State-run program that pays for hospitalization, doctor appointments, and other medical services (sometimes requiring a small co- payment)
Based on need
No age requirements
Priority often given to individuals who have disabilities
Medicare
Insurance program run by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
People under the age 65 who are disabled are eligible to receive Medicare 12 months after starting SSDI benefits.
No income limits to qualify

17. Work incentive: Pass
SSA
With PASS, individuals who are age 15 or older and eligible for SSI can save income and resources to pay for education and other things needed to be able to work (such as job coaching, transportation, equipment, etc.).
For More Information
Call
Go to
spotlights/spot-plans-self-support.htm
Download Working While Disabled—A Guide to Plans for Achieving Self-Support from pdf
Ask if your student is eligible during the next IEP meeting

18. Work incentive: Ticket to work
SSA
This service is for anyone age who receives SSDI or SSI benefits because of a disability.
Participants receive services from an Employment Network or the state vocational rehabilitation agency.
Career counseling
Vocational rehabilitation
Job placement and training
For More Information
Call
Go to
Download Your Ticket to Work from pubs/EN pdf

19. employment and community inclusion
OPWDD
Employment Services
Supported Employment
Prevocational Services
Employment Training Program
Pathway to Employment
For More Information
Call
For employment services, go to
services_supports/employment_for_peop le_with_disabilities
For community-based living supports, go to
services_supports/supports_for_indepen dent_and_family_living
Supports for Community-Based Living
Community habilitation
Assistive technology

20. Housing For More Information
OPWDD
Living at home with family or independently
Family Care Program
Home ownership
Supportive housing
Market rate or subsidized apartments
Public housing
Shared living arrangements
Customized residential options
Individualized residential alternatives
For More Information
Call
Go to _services_supports/residential_opportuni ties
Download OPWDD’s Transition Planning: Housing, Employment, and Community Supports from

21. enrollment For More Information
OPWDD
For More Information
Call
Download Front Door Welcome: Access to Services from welcome-front-door/resource-booklet
Register for a Front Door information session at front-door/information_sessions
Download Transition Planning: From School to Adult Life from
Individuals must be enrolled in Medicaid to enroll in most of OPWDD’s programs.
Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
Medicaid Service Coordination
Residential Care
Other health-related items and services, such as nursing, dietetics and nutrition, audiology, and podiatry
To get started with OPWDD, sign up to attend a Front Door information session.

22. Home and community-based services
OPWDD
HCBS is OPWDD’s largest Medicaid program. It offers many services that allow individuals with disabilities to live, and fully participate, in the community.
Respite – relief for caregivers of individuals with disabilities
Supported employment – support to help individuals with disabilities keep paid competitive jobs in the community
Community and day habilitation – skills for daily living
Residential services – support for individuals to live as independently as possible

23. Medicaid service coordination
OPWDD
Care Coordinators, formerly Medicaid Service Coordinators (MSCs), help eligible individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid-funded OPWDD services with many activities, such as:
Developing, implementing, and maintaining a Life Plan, formerly called Individualized Service Plan (ISP)
Engaging the individual’s Circle of Support & Interdisciplinary Team
For More Information
Download the name and contact information of the person at your regional OPWDD office who can best answer your questions about Medicaid Service Coordination from node/534
Locating a day program
Finding a residence
Pursuing SSI benefits
Obtaining respite services
Attending CSE meetings
Securing financial support

24. Self-direction For More Information
OPWDD
Designed for individuals eligible for OPWDD services and enrolled in HCBS who:
Want more flexibility with services and scheduling
Are ready to make decisions, on their own or with help
Welcome more responsibility in choosing services and in hiring and supervising staff
For More Information
Talk with your Care Coordinator
Watch Choosing Self-Direction at direction
Download OPWDD’s brochure on self-directed services from

25. Transition and youth services
ACCES-VR
Pre-employment Services
For students in high school with an IEP
Available prior to student’s final year in high school
Youth Employment Services
To enhance job readiness, provide work experience, and provide coaching supports
Recommended for final year of high school
For More Information
Call JOBS (5627)
Go to /vr/transition-and-youth-services
Download User-Friendly Guide to Transition Services for High School Students and Their Parents and Teachers brochure from les/vr/guidetotransitionservices.pdf
Ask if your student is eligible during the next IEP meeting

26. services Vocational counseling Assessments and evaluations
ACCES-VR
ACCES-VR
Vocational counseling
Assessments and evaluations
Rehabilitation technology
Special transportation
Adaptive driver training
Work readiness
Job coaching
Training (tuition, related fees, textbooks)
Tutor, reader, and note-taker services
Physical and mental restoration services
Modifications to homes, vehicles, worksites
Job development and placement
Work Try Out and on-the-job training
Occupational tools and equipment

27. Local resources For More Information Housing options
Visit residences or take virtual tours.
Job and volunteer opportunities
Shadow someone who works in a job of interest.
Neighborhood spots (libraries, parks, gyms, stores, banks, medical offices, etc.)
Map distances to important places.
Clubs, sports, and associations
Attend meetings and become involved.
For More Information
Both OPWDD and CP of NYS offer interactive directories of services available in your area.
Go to OPWDD’s directory at
.ny.gov/
Go to CP of NYS’ directory at
iates

28. Other ways to prepare Who to Contact Expect disruption.
Recognize that change can be hard for individuals and their families.
Seek the support of others who have gone (or are going) through similar transitions.
Accept risk.
Practice advocacy.
Understand your child’s needs and wishes for the future.
Work with others to meet those needs.
Know your rights and responsibilities.
Manage concerns.
Break down new skills and tasks into small steps.
Communicate often about is going to happen.
Work with the Care Coordinator and Circle of Support.
Who to Contact
Local Social Security office:
OPWDD’s Front Door:
ACCES-VR District Office: