Transition Planning for Families
What is transition planning?
Transition planning is a formal, long-range cooperative process that will assist your child to successfully move from school into the adult world. New Jersey regulations require that transition planning begins to be addressed in the IEP that will be in place for the school year in which your child reaches 14 years of age, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team. Transition planning continues to be addressed in your child’s IEP each year until graduation or exit from high school.
Who is involved in transition planning?
Transition planning typically involves the IEP team, other family members, school staff, staff from other agencies, employers and other community members. Whenever transition planning will be included in the IEP, the student must be invited to attend the IEP meeting and become an integral member of the IEP team.
What are the components of transition planning?
The following are key components of transition planning in the IEP for children turning 14 and older:
- A statement of the child’s strengths, interests and preferences
- Identification of a course of study (course titles for the duration of the IEP and beyond)
- Identification of strategies and/or activities that are intended to assist the child in developing or attaining postsecondary goals
- A description of the need for consultation (information and/or advise) from other agencies (such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Children’s System of Care, Division of Developmental Disabilities, etc.)
- A statement of any needed interagency linkages and responsibilities
Additional key components are included as part of transition planning in the IEP for children turning 16 and older:
- The child’s postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and, if appropriate, independent living
- The transition services needed to assist the child in reaching those postsecondary goals (a coordinated set of activities/strategies that includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other postschool adult living objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation)
Resources
EBHS Child Study Team Transition Resources
Testing Accommodations
Graduation Resources
Post-Secondary Transition resources
Vocational and Trade Opportunities
Graduates Aging Out of the School System
Accessing Adult Services from the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities
The ARC of NJ-Planning for Adult Life
Planning for Adult Life is a statewide project funded by the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to assist young adults (between the ages of 16-21) with developmental disabilities and their families in charting a life course for adulthood. We offer a variety of resources including Informational sessions, webinars, and resource guides/materials that address the following core areas:
Postsecondary Education/Employment
Housing
Legal/Financial Planning
Entitlement Programs and Eligibility
Self-Direction
Health/Behavioral Health
Building/Maintaining Community Ties and Friendships
Planning/Visioning a Life Course
Choosing A Support Coordinator Agency - A Guide for Families
Office of Special Education in the New Jersey Department of Education
The office of Special Education provides training and technical assistance on the topic of transition from school to adult life to school staff, students and family members through the Learning Resource Center network. Information and resources on transition are available on the OSE website linked above.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS)
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides the following types of services to persons with a physical or mental impairment which is a substantial impediment to employment. Interested persons must apply for a determination of eligibility and needed services. Individuals who are blind or have a serious visual impairment are served by the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, not DVRS.
Services that are provided may include:
- Diagnostic Evaluation
- Individual Vocational Counseling and Guidance
- Job Seeking Skills Training and Selective Job Placement
- Post-Employment Services
- Physical Restoration
- Job Coaching, Vocational, Professional, or On-the-Job Training
- Referrals to Centers for Independent Living for Independent Living Skills Training
- Follow-Up Support Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) in the New Jersey Department of Human Services
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) has been providing and funding services for state residents with developmental disabilities since 1959. These supports and services are provided by more than 250 agencies in communities throughout the state, or in five residential developmental centers that are administered by DDD.
DDD funds a wide array of services intended to help support individuals with developmental disabilities who reside in the community. These services are not an entitlement, and their availability depends on current resources. The types of services available also may vary among counties. DDD is always seeking ways to manage its budget and use its funding as effectively as possible in order to serve as many people as possible.
DDD provides case management and/or information and referral services to everyone who is eligible to receive the services it funds. DDD funds three types of services for people who reside in the community:
- Day services, including supports for people who are employed
- Residential services, including individual supports that assist an individual living at home or elsewhere in the community
- Family support services that assist families caring for loved ones at home