Transition to Adulthood

This toolkit was developed for families to use during pediatric-to-adult HCT and includes resources for both parents/caregivers and youth/young adults. These tools can be used to better prepare youth and families for the transition to adult care.

This form must be completed to be considered for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students who are not already served by NCDVR with an approved Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

ECAC is excited to offer our ACHIEVE Transition Program: Advancing Confidence, Higher Independence, Employment and Vocational Education. (Formerly known as the STAR program, we have introduced a new name and look for the 2024-2025 school year!)

ACHIEVE is a statewide, virtual Pre-ETS program designed for students with disabilities, ages 14 to 21. This program is available to those enrolled in an educational program who are eligible or potentially eligible for EIPD services and have a recognized need for Pre-Employment Transition Services. ACHIEVE is accessible to students in various educational settings, including those who are homeschooled, or enrolled in traditional public schools, charter schools, virtual schools, private schools, early college programs, vocational schools, college courses, or training programs. The ACHIEVE Transition Program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need for successful transitions from school to work and into adult life.

This form must be completed to be considered for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). The information is used to verify whether the individual named here is a student with a disability who qualifies for Pre-ETS.

Creating a vision for the future helps provide a plan for youth with disabilities who are unclear and/or anxious about becoming an adult. Person-centered planning (PCP) is directed by the youth to help them plan their life and supports.

Centers for Independent Living (CILs) help people with disabilities of all ages be included in community life. North Carolina has 7 CILs. CILs are nonresidential and are run by and for people with disabilities. CILs work with people with disabilities, including students, to help them make their own decisions about their lives and to assist them achieve their independent living goals within their communities.

This document is part of the Charting the LifeCourse set of tools. Visit https://www.lifecoursetools.com/ for examples on how to use this tool, and explore other tools.

This document is part of the Charting the Life Course set of tools. Visit https://www.lifecoursetools.com/ for examples on how to use this tool, and explore other tools.

This document is part of the Charting the LifeCourse set of tools. Visit https://www.lifecoursetools.com/ for examples on how to use this tool, and explore other tools.

When making choices or setting goals, it can be helpful to know whom you can count on. Different people maybe helpful in different situations. Use this worksheet to write down the names of people who you know that you can ask for support or help.

Guidance on requirements under the IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act - U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Para jóvenes con discapacidad documentada, la Division de Servicios para Personas Ciegas (DSB) ofrece una variedad de servicios individualizados que ayudan a preparar y alcanzar metas para empleo integrado competitivo y una vida más independiente.

La División de Servicios para Ciegos (DSB) se asocia con estudiantes, familias, escuelas y otros proveedores de servicios para ofrecer a estudiantes un comienzo temprano en la exploración profesional y la preparación para la vida después de la escuela secundaria.

For youth with a documented disability, the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) provides a variety of individualized services that help them prepare for and achieve goals for competitive integrated employment and more independent living.

The Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) partners with students, families, schools and other service providers to give students an early start at career exploration and preparation for life after high school.

As an adult, there are a number of important items you should have close by so you know where they are when you need them. Look at the list below. Do you have it?

Getting a job is an exciting experience that takes planning. There are important documents you may need before you can get a job. There are skills you will need to prepare you for employment, and actions that you may need to take to be successful. This checklist can help you prepare for employment. This list below does not include every item needed and some of these may not apply to you since your employment goals are unique to you.

Having good “soft” skills is important when you have a job. Your soft skills can be the reason you get a job or it can be the reason you lose your job. Employers will teach you the “hard” skills of a job (the skills you need to do your job properly) but the soft skills are also very important. So what are soft skills? Here are some soft skills to think about.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

In addition to helping families navigate the special education system, ECAC also specializes in helping families navigate health related systems in NC.

This guide is intended to provide parents with practical information about guardianship to help them make an informed decision.

Got Transition, su Grupo Asesor Nacional Familiar y la colaboración de padres líderes de habla hispana de Family Voices, han desarrollado un conjunto de herramientas para ayudar y guiar a las familias en la transición de sus jóvenes en los servicios de salud pediátricos a los de adulto. Esta guía es para familias e incluye recursos en español fáciles de usar para ayudar a jóvenes y familias a ser más independientes en su cuidado de su salud y el uso de los servicios de salud. Los recursos incluyen un programa de transición, preguntas para hacerle a su proveedor, lo que significa cumplir 18 años para su salud y más.

In this document, we are going to review three important plans: The Individualized Education Program (IEP), the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), and the Healthcare Transition Plan (HTP). We will review the key parts of each and talk about how they can and should work together! The document also contains a brief description of the Individual Health Plan (IHP) which some students with disabilities may have to ensure their medical conditions are appropriately managed

This health care transition readiness assessment is intended for students and their family/caregivers to compete as part of IEP transition planning meetings. If a student is unable to fill out this form, the student can complete it with the help of their family/caregiver

Learning and trying out life skills is an important step for students as they plan for moving into adulthood. The Health Care Transition Checklist can help youth and young adults (ages 14-25), their families, and IEP Team, build health care transition skills.

Una Guia Para Cuidadores Y Estudiantes

After applying for a job, you may get a call, email, or text asking you to participate in a job interview. This is a great thing! You will meet with someone at the company, and they will ask you questions about yourself and will see if you would be a good person to hire for the job. Here are some do’s and don’ts for a job interview.

This tip sheet introduces and briefly defines age of majority. The age of majority is defined by state law and is the age at which the child is no longer a minor and assumes rights and responsibilities to make certain legal decisions. To learn more, review the additional resources and check with state law for specific information about age of majority in your state.

This tip sheet introduces and briefly defines transition services. To learn more, review the additional resources and check with state law for supplemental requirements.

It’s great to want to do things on your own and take care of yourself. That is what independent living skills mean. And the more you practice, the better you will get. But it’s also important to remember that all of us need help with some things. Some people are better at cooking, some are better at laundry, and some are better at solving problems. While you strive to be independent, never worry about having to ask for help! For some things, you may always need help, and that’s okay

This guide is intended to provide resources for housing and independent living for people with IDD in North Carolina.

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a website that offers helpful resources and information regarding disabilities and related workplace accommodations (supports) that could be used by anyone, employee or employer. The accommodations listed on the website can help a person with a disability to succeed on the job.

El camino hacia la edad adulta

El camino hacia la edad adulta

El camino hacia la edad adulta

North Carolina High School Graduation Requirements - for students entering grade 9 for the first time in 2025-2026

A Center for Independent Living or CIL is run by and for people with disabilities. North Carolina has 7 CILs that are located around the state. CILs can help people learn how to make decisions about their own lives. They also give people with disabilities advice when it is difficult to live, learn, and work in their communities. You don’t have to do everything yourself because we all need help and support!

YEP's NCGT column is here to put a spotlight on the many talents and abilities of NC Youth & Young Adults with Disabilities ages 5 to 26. The format of submissions can be a poem, artwork, blog, video, song, essay, article, presentation, an "About me" article, you name it. ECAC's Youth Advisory Team will review the submissions and choose which ones to feature in our next newsletter. Selected entries will receive a $25 check in the mail! Click the link for the application.

Person-Centered Planning is all about YOU! YOU are focus of person-centered planning, also called PCP. That means that you get to let your family, your teachers, and others know what you want to do when you leave high school or college and how you want to live your life. People that you trust and care about can help you make those choices but you voice is the most important. PCP can help you achieve your goals and dreams for life after high school

Person-Centered Planning is all about YOU and YOUR plans for YOUR future!

A resume is a document that you use to tell people about you! It can say what school you go to or went to, where you have worked, volunteer work, your skills, and your interests. A resume is a picture of you! When you apply for a job, the person who is interviewing you can look at your resume and know some important things about you before they meet you.

A tool to help youth create goals in the areas of Training/Education, Employment and Independent Living as part of their Transition to Adulthood.

High school and college are very different. Things change like where you will go to class, where you will live, what you are responsible for, and so many other things. But just like in high school, it is important for you to practice your self-advocacy skills in college especially once you turn 18.

This packet provides a list of actions that are grounds for petitioning the Clerk for removal and replacement of the ward’s guardian

El camino hacia la edad adulta

If a student has responded “No” or “I want to learn” to any of the items on the Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment, use the following sample goals as a guide when creating goals in the IEP transition plan.

Your child’s (young adult’s) Individualized Education Program (IEP) is like a roadmap for planning their life after high school. It shows where the student wants to be and how they are going to get there. The earlier students are involved in developing their IEP, the better. Participating in the IEP process helps develop self-advocacy skills. They also learn the importance of the IEP. Paying attention to what is in the IEP is part of how students make sure they learn skills in high school that they need to have the life they want after high school.

Your IEP (Individualized Education Program) is like a roadmap for planning your life after high school. It shows where you want to be and how you are going to get there. Paying attention to what is in your IEP is how you can make sure that you learn the skills in high school you need to live the life you want to live after high school.

Transition is a journey, begin NOW to plan for the trip. The Student Dream Sheet can help students set goals and share their interests and preferences.

Everyone needs support making some of their decisions. Some people may need support at the doctor’s office. Some people may need help with their taxes. Some people may need help with money. When you receive help with decisions, that is called Supported-Decision-Making. This document can help you decide what you are able to do on your own and what you may need help with.

A Guide for Caregivers and Students on Transition to Adulthood

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students with disabilities must have a Transition Plan by age 16, earlier if appropriate. The Transition plan is part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP). It is not a separate document, and it is often called the Transition IEP.

Internships are a great way for your child or young adult to get work experience and help them figure out the kinds of jobs in which they are interested and/or best suited. Internships are temporary job assignments, usually for a school semester, over the summer, or sometimes a whole year. They can be paid or unpaid. The student may receive high school or college credit.

Begin with the End in Mind It’s never too soon to start planning with your child for their future. When your child is in middle school, this may seem far away and you are focused on today. But those middle and high school years will pass quickly and soon your child will be an adult. While planning is important for all students, it is even more important for students with disabilities who may face more challenges than their peers without disabilities.

Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself and taking an active role in decisions that affect your life. It’s about understanding your strengths and needs, asking questions, finding information, knowing your rights, and asking for help when needed. It’s also about learning how to solve problems, communicate clearly, and build supportive relationships.

The Transition IEP is a plan that focuses on your future. It has your goals and includes the services and supports you need to be successful in school. Your Transition IEP also prepares you for life after school is over. When you are age 14, your team, which includes you and your parents, starts important planning for your future. This is called Transition Planning (moving from childhood to adulthood). The Transition IEP is your plan for reaching your adult goals.

Transition activities should relate to the planned postsecondary outcomes and annual transition goals in the IEP. These services and activities should occur while your child is still in high school and can occur on or off school grounds

In this document, you will find a range of case scenarios suitable for high school students. Each case example describes a student with different strengths, abilities, needs, and desires. All these students are required to have a transition component in their IEP that includes measurable postsecondary and annual goals. Check out each example for ideas on how to write goals in education, employment, and independent living, and to learn about framing the transition services, activities, and coursework that each student needs to meet their post-school goals and desires.

The following is a checklist for parents to review when developing their child’s Transition IEP

An Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and Foster Care Transition Plan can help you set goals that will let you achieve your dreams. You have the right to be actively involved and make decisions in both your school Transition IEP and Foster Care Transition Plan. This is your future so be sure you are a part of it.

The intention of this guide is to provide direction, advice, and information, and to present a collection of resources that you can use to help navigate your transition to adulthood as smoothly as possible. Our goal is to point you in some useful directions, but it is ultimately up to you to decide what will be helpful for you in your transition journey. In the sections that follow, you will find guidance on transition planning, person-centered planning, building a transition IEP, and exploring pre-employment services.

Turning 18 is a big deal! When you turn 18, you are an adult in most states. This means you can make choices in your life about your education, where you live, what doctor you see, what to do with your money, and many other things. Here are some things you should think about as you become an adult.

This report provides an in-depth examination of the unique challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), and how the use of alternatives such as supported decision-making may enable some individuals with ID/DD to exercise greater self-determination, participate more fully in their communities, and achieve greater economic self-sufficiency.

This worksheet will help youth craft a vision statement about what they want for their life after high school!

Learn about choosing a high school course of study!

Learn about career exploration and training in high school, as well as postsecondary education and training!

Turning 18 is a big deal. Your child becomes an adult at 18 and all the privileges and responsibilities of adulthood transfer to them. This includes the authority to make decisions for themselves. This is a good thing. It is the gateway to adult life. But it can also be a scary time if you and/or your child believe they are not ready or able to make their own decisions. Thankfully, there are options available.

Learn about transition planning and services in North Carolina!

Check out these resources and tips for supporting adult children!

Self-advocacy is an important life-long skill. It is about learning how to speak up for yourself, making your own decisions about your life, learning how to get information so that you can understand things that are of interest to you, finding out who will support you in your journey, knowing your rights and responsibilities, problem solving, learning, asking for help, and even making friends.

Congratulations! You have a job and will be going to work soon. Before you start work, it is important that you know what good behavior in the workplace looks like and pay attention to the rules set in your workplace. If you do not, you could lose your job

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a roadmap for a student with a disability to get from a starting point to an end goal. It changes when your needs change and is the basis for your education. There are different people who can attend your IEP meeting and help make your goals and help plan your future.

ECAC recognizes the power and value of the voice and ideas of young people. ECAC has launched a Youth Advisory Team (YAT) to help us design projects, programs, and resources that are created for youth, by youth. ECAC will work in partnership with the group to coordinate opportunities and trainings that support the interests and personal development of the YAT members

As you move toward living on your own, here are some programs and resources that may help you with school, work, and finding a place to live.