How To Prepare For A Transition From School To Adulthood

Transcription

1 Transition Planning... NHVR Helping Youth Plan for the Future

2 The State Board of Education and the New Hampshire Department of Education do not discriminate in their educational programs, activities or employment practices on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, creed, age, color, national origin or type of disability. This brochure is available in alternative format upon request.

3 Welcome The completion of high school is the beginning of adult life. Entitlement to public education ends and young people and their families are faced with many options and decisions about the future. Transitioning from high school to adult life is exciting and challenging for all youth. Being prepared for the challenges of work, additional schooling or adult services after graduation is very important and requires planning. NH Vocational Rehabilitation (NHVR) is an agency that helps youth with disabilities obtain their employment goal, as they transition from school to adult life. This booklet provides ideas, information and resources to help youth make a smooth transition from school to adult life.

4 Table of Contents Transition Services Role and Responsibility of Youth and Parent/Guardian(s) Age 18 Impact Advocacy Following High School Resources Benefits Things to Think About NH Vocational Rehabilitation (NHVR) Vocational Rehabilitation Program Vocational Rehabilitation Process Role of VR in a Youth s Individual Education Program (IEP) Vocational Rehabilitation Offices

5 Transition Services In 1990 the requirement for the provision of Transition Services was added to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). These services are specifically defined in the federal statute (20 U.S.C. 1401(30)) as a coordinated set of activities for a youth with a disability, designed within an outcome-oriented process, and based upon the individual youth s needs, which promotes movement from school to post-school activities. The Transition Process: Helps youth and families think about their life after high school and identify long-range goals. Designs the high school experience to ensure that youth gain the skills and connections they need to achieve these goals. Coordinates services to local school districts to assist in the transition process. Promotes movement from school to post school activities including post secondary education, vocational training, and employment. The planning becomes formalized in a Transition Plan. This transition plan is part of the individual education plan. It should include these four areas: 1. Postsecondary/Vocational training 2. Employment 3. Community participation, or 4. Independent living, if appropriate 1

6 Role and Responsibility of Youth and Parent/Guardian(s) Youth: Attend all of the transition planning meetings Share their goals, hopes and dreams for the future. Help make decisions which will be part of the Youth s Plan. Express any concerns about the youth s plan. Understand that current planning will affect the youth s future goals. The Youth s Responsibilities The youth and the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselor are partners in planning the youth s program. The counselor will want the youth to do all that they can to prepare for a job. The youth should keep appointments, work hard on tasks given to them, participate in the development and completion of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) and its development, keep in touch with the VR counselor, and discuss problems as they develop. Parent/guardian(s): Talk to the youth about their goals, hopes and dreams for the future. Encourage and support the youth in accomplishing activities listed above. Discuss with appropriate school personnel: The youth s goals for after high school, and Who should be invited to the transition meeting. Be prepared to discuss your expectations for the youth regarding: Postsecondary/Vocational training Employment Independent living, and Community participation Talk to other parent/guardians who are going through, or have gone through, the transition process for support and ideas. Keep a file of all communications. Teamwork is an absolutely essential element of transition planning. Don t hesitate to call any member of the team to exchange information. 2

7 Age 18 Impact Prior to age 18, VR counselors must include the parent/guardians in all decision-making and signing of documents. At age 18, unless guardianship has been established, all decisions are made by the youth and counselor and parent/guardianal permission is encouraged but not required. If parent/ guardians want to maintain the same level of involvement, the youth must give written permission. Youth can sign all documents at age 18 without a parent/guardian s signature if they are their own guardian. Advocacy Following High School Under IDEA a youth is provided a team who are responsible for identifying services to support the educational program regardless of the costs of the support services. This transition team is also responsible for identifying adult services and providers during the transition process. Once a youth graduates with a high school diploma, or turns 21, they are no longer eligible for IDEA services. At this point, entering into post secondary education, training, employment and/or adult services will require the youth and their parent/guardian to advocate for services. This is important because there are no guarantees that supports will be provided. 3

8 Resources Websites NH Division of Vocational Rehabilitation career/vocational NHVR Customer Handbook vocational/documents/customer_handbook.pdf NH Department of Education IDEA &Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay. cfm&tplid=9&contentid-3533 Parent/Guardian Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights NH Parent Information Center NH Governor s Commission on Disability DisAbility.gov Americans with Disabilities Act Document Center edu/links/adalinks.htm New England ADA Technical Assistance Center Office of Disability Employment Policy, US Dept. of Labor Financial Aid (Post Secondary) National Community of Practice on Transition (must register with an address and password) NH Resources for people who are blind or visually impaired NH Internships and First Career Jobs Granite State Independent Living NH Teen Institute Phone Numbers P.I.C.: Parent/Guardian Information Center D.R.C.: Disability Rights Center Granite State Independent Living For local service, check the yellow pages of your local phone book under Social and Human Services or the white pages under New Hampshire, State of. Above websites are checked and accurate at time of printing. 4

9 Benefits Medicaid for Adults (Over 18) Medicaid is available to adults with disabilities through the APTD program. In order to be found eligible, the individual applying (not the family) must meet income guidelines as well as be determined to have a disability that meets New Hampshire s disability standards. Aid to Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD) A program administered by the State of New Hampshire through the Department of Health and Human Services. An individual is eligible if the individual meets the disability definition and is over 18 and meets the income requirements. Medicaid is also available through this program. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) A Program administered by Social Security that provides a money payment to qualified recipients. An individual is eligible if they meet the disability definition and has sufficient work history (earned credits). An individual can also be eligible without the work credits, if as a child, one of the parent/guardians is also disabled and eligible for SSDI. Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) Another program administered by Social Security that pays a money payment to qualified recipients. An individual is eligible if an individual meets the disability definition and is either 18 and the family meets the income requirements, or is over 18 and individually meets the income requirements. Health and Human Services Social Security Administration

10 Things to think about... The following areas are important to address as the youth goes through the transition process: Develop work based skills while in school Develop resume, which could include volunteer work, extracurricular activities, etc. Consider transportation options Consider future living arrangements Connect to other adult services, e.g. Area Agency, Community Mental Health, and/or Centers for Independent Living Obtain Identification, i.e., Social Security Number; Driver s License or Personal ID Card and/or Birth Certificate Consider applying for benefits Consider acquiring health insurance At age 18, consider: Registering to vote Registering for Selective Service (if male) Making decisions around guardianship (if necessary) Consider obtaining a passport 6

11 NH Vocational Rehabilitation (NHVR) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a program that assists youth with disabilities to obtain their employment goal, as they transition from school. The program provides individualized career planning, and time limited services tailored to a youth s vocational goal resulting in job placement. A youth can apply to the program more than once. It is a Federal/State funded program, that collaborates with other programs to provide services. VR Eligibility A youth will be eligible for services if: The youth has a disability, and The disability creates difficulties in preparing for a job, getting a job, or keeping a job, and The youth can benefit from VR services, and The youth requires VR services to become employed or remain employed. Referral to Vocational Rehabilitation does not automatically result in the youth s eligibility for services. It is important to remember that VR s eligibility standards are based upon the youth s vocational limitations as a result of their impairment, not just the existence of a physical, learning or mental impairment alone. Although youth with disabilities are entitled to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), they must be determined eligible for VR services. 7

12 Vocational Rehabilitation Program Referrals to VR can be made by: Local school district personnel Youth s parent/guardian or guardian Youth self-referral Other agencies/organization Employers Eligibility The youth must have a disability, and The youth s disability creates difficulties in preparing for a job, getting a job, or keeping a job, and The youth requires VR services to become employed or remain employed. Eligibility is NOT based on income VR s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) The IPE outlines specific services needed for the youth to reach their employment goals Through career planning in conjunction with transition planning, an IPE is developed The IPE is individualized and developed by youth with assistance from a VR counselor Services in the IPE are time limited Some services require looking at the ability of the parent/ guardian and/or the youth to contribute financially Upon completion of the IPE a youth could request additional services to maintain employment, if necessary Employment Success is defined as when an individual s services are complete and the individual has held their job for 90 days An individual may request services after initial services have been completed if they need further assistance to maintain employment. An individual may always re-apply for services as conditions or needs change VR does not develop an IPE for temporary or seasonal employment 8

13 Vocational Rehabilitation Process Referral/Application Initial meeting with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Counselor will notify you of the eligibility decision for VR Services Counseling and guidance will be provided to assist with career planning throughout the process Develop Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) Services Are Provided Employment 9

14 Role of VR during IEP Development is to... Suggest coursework as it relates to the youth s vocational goal. Recommended work-based learning opportunities when ap propriate. Assist youth and their parent/guardian(s) to gather information about their rights under IDEA and connection to other adult service providers. Support youth, parent/guardian(s) and schools through the transition planning process that will ultimately lead to employment. 10

15 NH Vocational Rehabilitation Regional Offices Berlin Regional Office 650 Main St. Berlin, NH Phone: FAX: Keene Regional Office 103 Roxbury Street Keene, NH Phone: FAX: Manchester Regional Office Mill West Corporate Center 195 McGregor Street, Suite 20 Manchester, NH Phone: FAX: Portsmouth Regional Office 215 Commerce Way, Suite 3 Portsmouth, NH Phone: FAX: VR Administrative Offices 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20 Concord, NH Phone: FAX: Concord Regional Office 2 Industrial Park Drive Concord, NH Phone: FAX: Lebanon Regional Office 85 Mechanic St., #260A Lebanon, NH Phone: FAX Nashua Regional Office 25 Riverside St., Suite 102 Nashua, NH Phone: FAX: Services for Blind & Visually Impaired 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 20 Concord, NH Phone: FAX Website Address: For further information, please call the office nearest you. Office hours: 8:00-4:30, Monday-Friday 11

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