Transitions

Programs & services to ease the growing pains along the way

The transitions of a child with special needs from an early-intervention program such as an Infant Learning Program (ILP) to school district special education pre-school, and from secondary school to post secondary life are exciting points in families' lives. They can also be difficult times as previous sources of support are aged out of and new systems of support become available.

There are supports which can help make the transition process easier. You don't have to make the long-haul journey by yourselves.

Early Childhood through Postsecondary

From an ILP

Families supporting children moving from an ILP or other early childhood program should work with their ILP to develop an individualized family service plan (IFSP) for helping the child transition smoothly to a special education or other preschool. This plan needs to be developed and started no later than the child's third birthday.

For information on transitions from ILPs to pre-schools including a guide to the transition process titled "Step Ahead Age Three," you can call 907- 465-3170 or you can go to this website:

http://hss.state.ak.us/ocs/InfantLearning

IDEA & Part C Services

IDEA 2004 allows the flexibility to make Part C services available to children from age 3 until eligible to enter kindergarten or elementary school.

Postsecondary Transitioning & IDEA

Parents of students 16 years and older should become familiar with this process.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides a process for preparing for the transition of special education students from secondary (high) school to post secondary life. According to IDEA, beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team, and updated annually thereafter.

Beginning not later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child is 16 and updated annually thereafter, the IEP must include:

Goals: Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment and, where appropriate, independent living skills;
Services: The transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals; and
Transfer of Rights: Beginning not later than one year before the child reaches the age of majority under state law, a statement that the child has been informed of the child's rights under IDEA, if any, that will transfer to the child on reaching the age of majority under Section 615(m). [614(d)(1)(A)(VIII)]

Information about transition services can be obtain from your local school district and at this link http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/tb-second-trans.doc

From Postsecondary to Adulthood

Other issues families supporting children nearing the age of 18 might want to explore include:

Guardianship/Conservatorship

Guardianship or conservatorship allows families or their designees to oversee financial and other decisions which may be needed as their child becomes an adult.

For information on guardianship in Alaska refer to "The Transition Guide: Guardian-Conservator Petitioning Process" at www.alaskachd.org/dbta/dbta2d.html

SSI & Medicaid

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides Medicaid and income to low income individuals who are unable to work as a result of experiencing a disability.

For information on SSI you can call The Social Security Administration:

In Anchorage: 907-271-4455; TTY 907-271-4799 or toll free: 800-772-1213.

There is also a National Help Line at 1-800-325-0778

Adult Public Assistance (APA)

Adult Public Assistance (APA) provides financial assistance to needy seniors, the blind, and to disabled persons who have severe and long term disabilities that impose mental and physical limitations on their day-to-day functioning.

For information on APA you can call 907-465-3347 or obtain go to www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/apa

Postsecondary & Vocational Programs

Post-secondary programs (for students with special needs up to age 21) are provided by some local school districts.

For information on such programs contact your local school district.

The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) can provide free services that your child may be able to access such as:

Counseling, especially about disability issues that affect you
Help choosing the job goal that's right for the individual
Referral to other agencies that can help for the individual
On-the-job training with a real employer
Training designed, to help for the individual adjust to working
Job search and placement services

For information on DVR services in Alaska you can call:

Toll Free (800) 478-2815 or go on line at www.labor.state.ak.us/dvr/home

Person-centered Planning

A person-centered plan is a plan for your child's future. Person-centered Planning is an internationally recognized process for planning in a collaborative and respectful manner for the future of a person who experiences a disability.

For information on Person-centered Planning in Alaska, you can contact the Center for Human Development at: http://www.alaskachd.org/ or by calling (907) 272-8270 or Toll Free: 1-800-243-2199

TTY: (907) 264-6206

Estate and Future Planning

Special needs trusts can protect the benefits which your child receives while giving them flexible funding, for when you are no longer there.

For more information on Special Needs Trusts, contact the Parent Training & Information (PTI) Center at Stone Soup Group.

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