Before a family looks into any pre-designed program of transition for their child, it is important to have a vision of the child’s future. Create that vision with input from the child, keeping in mind gifts, talents and skills your child possesses. Where and what he/she wants to do is as important if not more important than programs offered by the state and agencies. Included in this Advocacy Toolbox section are some current models to use in transition and tools to help facilitate transition from high school to the world of adult services.
Transition Services
Transition from High School to Adult Services – Main Page
ASSIST
ASSIST stands for Advocating for Supports to Improve Service Transitions and is 12 week series of advocacy trainings for parents of youth with autism covering multiple topics related to transitioning to adulthood. ASSIST was piloted as a multi-site research project with the University of Illinois, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Listed below are a series of videos for parent and/or professionals to review.
Intro and Person-centered-planning: https://youtu.be/Np0n6XyMzx0
Models of decision-making: https://youtu.be/LQW7RZnfsKc
SSI: https://youtu.be/nZdfXIN9pDc
SSDI & SNAP: https://youtu.be/NoVW-A4eZVc
Health Insurance Options: https://youtu.be/qfisUfsR54s
Medicaid Waiver: https://youtu.be/MXsAFvIF7Qk
Employment 1: https://youtu.be/mEoCCh_EXds
Employment 2: https://youtu.be/7hTfJRkAlbg
Post-secondary Education: https://youtu.be/AKPMYeQkUTk
Housing and technology: https://youtu.be/2K60mmle8hg
Special Needs Trust SNT & ABLE accounts: https://youtu.be/LWh3-LOcgqY
Advocacy: https://youtu.be/FoSD00KpLtw
Secondary Transition Planning: https://youtu.be/KMBc59OJfDo
Culturally focused resources on Transition
Hispanic youth (Chicago area) presented by DSCC and UIC LEND
Resource List
Video – Transition Information for Teens – Chicago area
Hispanic Parents & Guardians (Chicago area) presented by DSCC and UIC LEND
Resource List
Video – Transition Information about Adulthood for Hispanic Parents & Guardians
ASSIST – “Proyecto ASISTIR”
ASSIST significa Defensa de Apoyos para Mejorar las Transiciones de Servicios y es un programa de capacitación de 12 sessiones para padres de jóvenes con autismo que cubre múltiples temas relacionados con la transición a la edad adulta. ASSIST se puso a prueba como un proyecto de investigación de múltiples sitios con la Universidad de Illinois, el Centro Vanderbilt Kennedy, el Centro Médico de la Universidad de Vanderbilt y el Centro Waisman de la Universidad de Wisconsin-Madison.
Introducción al Proyecto ASISTIR: https://youtu.be/XZVpYTPrwTw
Plan Centrada en la Persona (PCP): https://youtu.be/L4Fz8ZGncLQ
Seguro de Ingresos Supplementarios (SSI): https://youtu.be/lyjL-ECxlfg
Planes/Seguros de Salud: https://youtu.be/pq5oq8EXzJA
Programas de Extención de Medicaid: https://youtu.be/2B-7NxuyZ6g
Empleo (primera parte): https://youtu.be/O3TPr-1Jqis
Empleo (secunda parte): https://youtu.be/ya4SsjzjZCk
Opciones despues de la Secundaria: https://youtu.be/81H5S1FJHco
Vivienda: https://youtu.be/WCJweguGij4
Fideicomiso y Planificación Financiera para el Futuro: https://youtu.be/YA1X_IaBsjw
Abogacia: https://youtu.be/wLVXm5HqO0A
Transición Escolar: https://youtu.be/qfQ34z4aP7c
Modelos de Toma de Decisiones: https://youtu.be/PaieHgpfVSI
Programa del Seguro Social sobre Discapacidad de Empleo (SSDI) y programa de Nutrición SNAP): https://youtu.be/4KD2E_nFjVk
Tools for Transition
School-to-Work Transition Guide
The Guide was designed to help students, parents/guardians, teachers, school administrators, guidance and vocational rehabilitation counselors, and other school-based and adult-services providers – with clear, up-to-date information about the process of supporting Illinois students with disabilities in their transition from school to work.
Person Centered Planning
TOTAL Project
MAPS & PATHS
Written Transition Plans in the IEP
Alternative to Guardianship
Supported Decision Making became effective in the State of IL as of February 2022. Information below is provided by the IL Guardianship and Advocacy Commission. Information is available in English and Spanish.
Supported Decision Making
DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) – Vocational Rehabilitation (VR program)
DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services – Vocational Rehabilitation
Advocacy Toolbox
Advocacy Toolbox – Main Page