Youth Transition
What’s Next?
Transition is a time when high school ends and adult life begins. Transition planning may help with identifying goals and the decision-making process. Beginning to plan early may be helpful and make the process go more smoothly. Schools start transition planning as early as 14 years old. The ADRC can begin working with someone at 17 ½ years old and can provide comprehensive, unbiased information to help navigate a person’s options.
The ADRC can provide:
1. Options counseling or referral on community resources
- Employment
- Healthcare changes
- Continued Education
- Supported decision making
- Residential options
- Transportation options
- Services in the home
- Recreational and leisure activities
2. Screening for eligibility for Publicly Funded Long Term Care Programs
- IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-direct)
- Family Care
- Family Care Partnership
3. Assistance navigating public benefits
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
For other ADRC resources, view the Youth in Transition brochure (PDF) and What’s Next? resource guide (PDF).
Contact Us
Please contact us at 262-605-6646 or by email if you are interested in Youth in Transition.
Additional Information
If you need help for a child under 17 1/2, The Division of Children and Family Services can provide additional information for Children with Disabilities.
Opening Doors Series: Four informational booklets for students with disabilities planning for life after high school. Each booklet covers its own topic related to youth in transition.
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Education & Training English | Spanish | A tool for students with disabilities to use as they begin to plan for a successful future. Each student can consider his or her strengths and weaknesses, plan a high school experience that will achieve specific goals, explore possibilities for work and a career, and identify the next steps for life after high school. |
| Employment English | Spanish | A guide to provide input and direction to students as they set and work toward their employment goals. It offers career exploration strategies, job preparation advice, and job search strategies. |
| Self Determination Skills English | Spanish | A tool to assist in setting and achieving goals. Knowing their strengths and addressing their weaknesses is important as students prepare for life after high school. As students move through school and toward adulthood, they go through a process of considering who they are and who they wish to become. |
| Adult Services English | Spanish | A guide that will help students, their families, and educators understand the adult service system as well as services available in the community. |
Helpful Websites:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Family Voices of Wisconsin | Aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities through advocacy efforts and community education. |
| Southeast Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs | Support families with children and youth with special health care needs and the providers who serve them by providing information, finding services, and connecting to community resources. |
| Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities | Advocates to help people with developmental disabilities become independent, productive, and included in all facets of community life. |
| Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) | Aims to improve the transition experience for young people moving from children’s services to adult services. |
| Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) | The state agency that advances public education to assure that students have the skills they need to achieve their long-term goals. |
| Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center | Provides information and assistance on issues related to guardianship, power of attorneys, and more. |
| Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) | Creates partnerships between parents and educators for students with disabilities. |
| Wisconsin Transition Improvement Grant (TIG) | Provides information and training to educators, youth, families and transition partners to ensure every child graduates, college and career ready. |
Upcoming Events
These events are not sponsored by the ADRC but are opportunities to learn more about Youth in Transition and related topics.
October 16-18, 2023 ~ Kalahari Resort ~ Wisconsin Dells, WI
The Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference works to empower people with disabilities in Wisconsin to have more control over their lives. The conference participants include people with disabilities and their family members, direct care providers, and professionals from Wisconsin’s disability community.
Kenosha County Community on Transition (KCCoT)
Mission: Kenosha County Communities on Transition is a collaborative team seeking to assist and empower individuals with disabilities and their families as they transition into living, learning, and working independently through school and community partnerships.
Meetings
Typically occur the 3rd Wednesday of Odd Months from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Locations vary.
Contact
For additional information about the group or upcoming meetings, email Kenosha County Community on Transition.