What is Adult Life Planning and Why is it Important?
What is it?
New Jersey defines Transition Services/Planning as a coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including:
- post-secondary education
- vocational training
- integrated employment (including supported employment)
- continuing and adult education
- adult services
- independent living, or community participation
The transition planning process involves evaluating the student's skills, abilities, strengths, challenges, and preferences to determine goals and identify support needs. Carrying out the transition plan can begin as early as 14 years old and should be a part of the students' Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Students and families must be actively involved as early as possible to keep moving forward!
Why is it important?
All students classified under IDEA are entitled to receive a special education and related services, provided by or arranged through the school district at no cost to the family, and from a single service delivery system or place where services flow to the student.
Under the Adult system, services are NOT entitlements - so, when the individual turns 18, they must then qualify or be deemed eligible for services including SSI, Medicaid, and DDD services.
Where to begin...
- GET A TEAM - Develop a transition team (Student, family, school personnel, community member, state agencies)
- GET INFORMATION - Research options & seek advice (See Core Planning Areas)
- GET A PLAN - Draft a transition plan (See links to Person-Centered Planning Tools)
- GET GOING - Implement the plan
- GET FEEDBACK - Evaluate the progress
