Creating a dynamic transition plan like the three described above is not easy. Keep in mind that in many places needed services have long waiting lists or are simply unavailable. Unlike school services, adult services are not mandated by federal law. Transition team members must keep digging, networking broadly, and thinking creatively in order to help each young adult live as productively, independently, and happily as possible. Knowing a wide range of possible contributors will be the key to creating a collaborative transition plan with supports tailored to an individual's needs.
Your school district should have much information on transition services that are typically used, such as transportation services and housing. Team members should talk with special education teachers and administrators, as well as parents who have already gone through the transition process with their son or daughter. Team members can then focus their efforts on personalizing and supplementing with other nontraditional services and resources to meet the student's transition goals. It is important that transition teams look beyond familiar agencies and services when exploring supports for individuals with disabilities. But the team must also be selective and choose supports that reflect the individual student's needs.
Sometimes, finding transition services or options resembles detective work. Transition team members, especially the parents, students, and special educators, may need to make phone calls to agencies and organizations and take notes. The white, blue, and yellow pages of the local phone book are a good tool for discovering transition resources. Let Your Fingers Do the Walking in Transition Planning, below, provides some helpful hints on how to find possible service providers or programs.
Modern technology can enhance planning. For example, local libraries have information on local government, and many now have computers with Internet access. Increasingly, agencies and organizations use Web sites and e-mail to find and share information. Some of the terms listed below may also be useful in key word searches on the World Wide Web.
White Pages:
The Table of Contents may include references such as "Community Service Numbers" or "Disabilities, Services for Individuals with."
Some of the headings you will find that might relate to the varying service needs of youth with disabilities include:
Local, state, and federal government listings can always be found in the Blue Pages of the phone book.
Local Listings might have some of the following headings:State Listings might have some of the following headings:
Local, State and Federal Government Listings will include numbers for all state and government agencies. Examples of these would be:
Yellow Pages:
Check out the Index of commonly used terms. Using key words, here are a few examples of what you might find:
Disability: Access Unlimited; Adult Care Services; Assisted Living; Charter's Mobility Center; Paradapt Services
Associations: Arc; Boy Scouts; Families for Children with Mental Health Concerns; Information & Referral-United Way; Learning Disabilities Council; Neighborhood Housing Services
Mental Health: Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Some state disability rights agencies provide information and referral services. National information services, such as the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) and the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, offer Web sites to provide users with easy access to information (see "Organizations," at the end of this publication). Every state has a parent training and information center, known as the PTI, where people can call to get information on agencies and services within their state. PTIs also offer training in transition planning, as do other major disability groups such as the Arc, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Centers for Independent Living, and others.
When you are starting your cold calling and search for service providers, start with agencies that can refer you to other organizations, such as Vocational Rehabilitation or an Independent Living Center.
Name of Organization
Name of Person You Spoke with
Position
Address
Phone Number _______________Fax Number_____________Date Contacted______________
Sample phone script:
"Hello, this is _____________________. I am a (teacher, parent, family member, administrator, coordinator) of a youth (young adult) who is" [OR if you are the student, then "I am"] __________ (exploring career options, exploring where to live after graduation, interested in a recreational program, or whatever fits your ultimate goals). I am looking for information to help in planning for my (own, son's, daughter's, family member's, student's) future. I found your organization through ______________________________ (another agency, the yellow pages, a publication) and I am interested in learning more about what services you provide (or what your organization does). Could you tell me who in your organization I should talk to about this? Thank you.
Please tell me about your agency/organization. Who do you serve? What services do you offer?
How does one get involved with your agency/organization? Are there special eligibility or admission requirements? How does one apply?
Are there costs involved in participating in your agency's or organization's programs? If so, how much are they? Do you offer special rates?
Do you have any ideas about how your agency or organization might help meet a need such as: [Describe a "specific problem or need" that you might have, for example: youth has a visual disability and needs assistance changing buses; youth has physical disability and is interested in playing a sport; teen parent with a learning disability needs child care so that she can go to work after school; and so forth.]
Could you refer me to some other people, agencies, or organizations that might offer some services to meet this need?
Do you have any written materials describing your agency (or organization)? If so, could you please send them to me _________________[your name] at______________________ [your address]. Thank you for speaking with me today. This information is very helpful in planning my (own, student's, son's, daughter's) future as a member of our community. Best wishes for fulfilling your agency's (or organization's) mission.