Preparing for adulthood

1. Preparing for adulthood

2. Our Goal To meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in ways that are person centered and community based • Supporting individuals as they strive toward living in the home of their choice, working or otherwise contributing to the community, and having meaningful relationships • Helping individuals and families through the process of transition

3. OBJECTIVES • What happens when students with IEPs turn 21? • Why do you need to plan? • When do you start planning? • Where do you begin? • Whom do you contact?

4. WHAT HAPPENS AT AGE 21? • Take on adult daily living activities • Interact with communities in ways that are meaningful to the individuals • May get a job, volunteer, or get more education • Identify services that will support the individuals in living the lives they want to live • Are no longer eligible for services through the school

5. WHY YOU NEED TO PLAN • How will your grown child spend his or her day? • How will your grown child be involved in his or her community? • Will your grown child work, study, or volunteer? Where? • How can your grown child live as independently as possible? • Where can you get the support your grown child needs?

6. When to start planning IEP • The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) guides services that students receive from school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. • By the time students in New York State turn 15, IEPs must include transition planning for when they leave school. • The earlier you start planning, the better!

7. IEP Transition services IEP Coordinated set of activities to help students reach their goals for after high school For More Information Download AFC’s Guide to Transition Services: Helping Students with Disabilities Move from School to Adulthoodfrom http://www.advocatesforchildren.org/sites/default/files/library/transition_guide.pdf?pt=1 • Instruction • Related services • Community experiences • Development of employment and other adult living objectives • Acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational assessment (if applicable)

8. considerations IEP • Education and training • Legal matters and advocacy • Personal independence • Recreation and leisure • Financial matters • Medical and health issues • Transportation • Employment • Housing options • Community participation

9. Self-determination IEP Goals are based on the student’sinterests, dreams, and strengths. • Encourage your student to think about the life he or she wants to live. • Help your student share his or her thoughts with the people who can help.

10. IT’s a team effort IEP A Committee on Special Education (CSE) develops the IEP. • Student and parents • Special and general education teachers of the student • Other school staff, including someone who can explain evaluation results • Related service providers When transition is discussed in an IEP meeting, representatives of outside agencies are also invited, as fitting. • Service agencies • Independent living centers • Vocational rehabilitation agency • Social Security Administration

11. Government resources • Social Security Administration (SSA) • NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) • NYS Education Department’s Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)

12. programs for people with disabilities SSA • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) • Medicaid and Medicare • Work Incentives • Plans to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) • Ticket to Work

13. Supplemental Security Income SSA • SSI is designed to help people with disabilities who have little or no income. • It provides monthly payments to those who are eligible. • There is no minimum age. Be aware that, at age 18, eligibility rules change. For More Information Call 1-800-772-1213 Go to https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm DownloadSSI Child Disability Starter Kit from https://www.socialsecurity .gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_child_eng.htm Visit your local Social Security office (locate it here: https://secure.ssa.gov/I CON/main.jsp)

14. SSI and Transition SSA If your child already receives SSI benefits: • Make sure the CSE considers the SSI benefits during transition planning. • Prepare for SSA to review your child’s condition when he or she turns age 18 to determine eligibility for SSI benefits as an adult. If your child does not receive SSI benefits now: • Contact SSA to find out if your child will be eligible when he or she turns 18. • Talk to someone at the school who knows about the SSI application process.

15. Social Security Disability Insurance SSA • SSDI provides benefits to people unable to work due to a disability. • To qualify, an individual has to earn enough work credits. • Children who have a disability that began before they turned age 22 may be eligible for SSDI benefits based on their parents’ work credits. For More Information Call 1-800-772-1213 Go to https://www.ssa.gov/planners/ disability/dqualify10.html#age22 DownloadBenefits for Children with Disabilities from https://www.ssa. gov/ pubs/ EN-05-10026.pdf Visit your local Social Security office (locate it here: https://secure.ssa.gov/I CON/main.jsp)

16. Medicaid and Medicare SSA Medicaid • State-run program that pays for hospitalization, doctor appointments, and other medical services (sometimes requiring a small co-payment) • Based on need • No age requirements • Priority often given to individuals who have disabilities Medicare • Insurance program run by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services • People under the age 65 who are disabled are eligible to receive Medicare 12 months after starting SSDI benefits. • No income limits to qualify

17. Work incentive: Pass SSA With PASS, individuals who are age 15 or older and eligible for SSI can save income and resources to pay for education and other things needed to be able to work (such as job coaching, transportation, equipment, etc.). For More Information Call 1-800-772-1213 Go to https://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/ spotlights/spot-plans-self-support.htm DownloadWorking While Disabled—A Guide to Plans for Achieving Self-Support from https://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-11017.pdf Ask if your student is eligible during the next IEP meeting

18. Work incentive: Ticket to work SSA This service is for anyone age 18-64 who receives SSDI or SSI benefits because of a disability. Participants receive services from an Employment Network or the state vocational rehabilitation agency. • Career counseling • Vocational rehabilitation • Job placement and training For More Information Call 1-866-968-7842 Go to http://www.chooseworkttw.net/ DownloadYour Ticket to Work from https://www.ssa.gov/ pubs/EN-05-10061.pdf

19. employment and community inclusion OPWDD Employment Services • Supported Employment • Prevocational Services • Employment Training Program • Pathway to Employment For More Information Call 1-866-946-9733 Email student.transition@opwdd.ny.gov For employment services, go to http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_ services_supports/employment_for_people_with_disabilities For community-based living supports, go to http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_ services_supports/supports_for_independent_and_family_living Supports for Community-Based Living • Community habilitation • Assistive technology

20. Housing OPWDD • Living at home with family or independently • Family Care Program • Home ownership • Supportive housing • Market rate or subsidized apartments • Public housing • Shared living arrangements • Customized residential options • Individualized residential alternatives For More Information Call 1-518-473-1973 Email housing.initiatives@opwdd.ny.gov Go to http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd _services_supports/residential_opportunities Download OPWDD’s Transition Planning: Housing, Employment, and Community Supports from http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/node/ 4859

21. enrollment OPWDD For More Information Call 1-866-946-9733 DownloadFront Door Welcome: Access to Services from http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/ welcome-front-door/resource-booklet Register for a Front Door information session at https://opwdd.ny.gov/welcome-front-door/information_sessions DownloadTransition Planning: From School to Adult Life from http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/node/4787 Individuals must be enrolled in Medicaid to enroll in most of OPWDD’s programs. • Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) • Medicaid Service Coordination • Residential Care • Other health-related items and services, such as nursing, dietetics and nutrition, audiology, and podiatry To get started with OPWDD, sign up to attend a Front Door information session.

22. Home and community-based services OPWDD HCBS is OPWDD’s largest Medicaid program. It offers many services that allow individuals with disabilities to live, and fully participate, in the community. • Respite – relief for caregivers of individuals with disabilities • Supported employment – support to help individuals with disabilities keep paid competitive jobs in the community • Community and day habilitation – skills for daily living • Residential services – support for individuals to live as independently as possible

23. Medicaid service coordination OPWDD Care Coordinators, formerly Medicaid Service Coordinators (MSCs), help eligible individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid-funded OPWDD services with many activities, such as: • Developing, implementing, and maintaining a Life Plan, formerly called Individualized Service Plan (ISP) • Engaging the individual’s Circle of Support & Interdisciplinary Team For More Information Download the name and contact information of the person at your regional OPWDD office who can best answer your questions about Medicaid Service Coordination from http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/node/534 • Locating a day program • Finding a residence • Pursuing SSI benefits • Obtaining respite services • Attending CSE meetings • Securing financial support

24. Self-direction OPWDD Designed for individuals eligible for OPWDD services and enrolled in HCBS who: • Want more flexibility with services and scheduling • Are ready to make decisions, on their own or with help • Welcome more responsibility in choosing services and in hiring and supervising staff For More Information Talk with your Care Coordinator Watch Choosing Self-Direction athttp://www.opwdd.ny.gov/self direction Download OPWDD’s brochure on self-directed services from http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/opwdd_services_supports/self-direction/self-direction-brochure

25. Transition and youth services ACCES-VR Pre-employment Services • For students in high school with an IEP • Available prior to student’s final year in high school Youth Employment Services • To enhance job readiness, provide work experience, and provide coaching supports • Recommended for final year of high school For More Information Call 1-800-222-JOBS (5627) Go to http://www.acces.nysed.gov /vr/transition-and-youth-services DownloadUser-Friendly Guide to Transition Services for High School Students and Their Parents and Teachersbrochure from http://www.acces.nysed.gov/common/acces/files/vr/guidetotransitionservices.pdf Ask if your student is eligible during the next IEP meeting

26. services ACCES-VR ACCES-VR • Vocational counseling • Assessments and evaluations • Rehabilitation technology • Special transportation • Adaptive driver training • Work readiness • Job coaching • Training (tuition, related fees, textbooks) • Tutor, reader, and note-taker services • Physical and mental restoration services • Modifications to homes, vehicles, worksites • Job development and placement • Work Try Out and on-the-job training • Occupational tools and equipment

27. Local resources • Housing options • Visit residences or take virtual tours. • Job and volunteer opportunities • Shadow someone who works in a job of interest. • Neighborhood spots (libraries, parks, gyms, stores, banks, medical offices, etc.) • Map distances to important places. • Clubs, sports, and associations • Attend meetings and become involved. For More Information Both OPWDD and CP of NYS offer interactive directories of services available in your area. Go to OPWDD’s directory athttp://providerdirectory.opwdd .ny.gov/ Go to CP of NYS’ directory athttp://www.cpofnys.org/Affil iates

28. Other ways to prepare • Expect disruption. • Recognize that change can be hard for individuals and their families. • Seek the support of others who have gone (or are going) through similar transitions. • Accept risk. • Practice advocacy. • Understand your child’s needs and wishes for the future. • Work with others to meet those needs. • Know your rights and responsibilities. • Manage concerns. • Break down new skills and tasks into small steps. • Communicate often about is going to happen. • Work with the Care Coordinator and Circle of Support. Who to Contact Local Social Security office: OPWDD’s Front Door: ACCES-VR District Office: