About The Transitioning Youth Handbook
This handbook was originally produced by The Arc of Frederick County, the Frederick County Public Schools and the Division of Rehabilitation Services in Frederick County. It has been adapted for use in the geographical areas listed on this page by Service Coordination, the Public School System and the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS).
At the request of the Maryland State Department of Education, the Transition Portfolio Handbook has been distributed to each high school in the counties listed as a resource to help students and their families with the transition process.
Each high school has received one hard copy of the Transitioning Youth Handbook. You should be able to find your school’s copy on the table at all Individual Education Planning (IEP) meetings so that you can use it through the years of gradual transition from school to the adult world. The intention is for the school’s copy to remain at that school so that it is available to anyone who needs it and is not intended as an individual guide for parents, students or teachers to take home. For this reason, we have produced this online version of the handbook for your use and reference.
Included in this website handbook is information about government agencies, service providers and other programs available to people with various disabilities and their families for transition planning.
The agencies represented are examples of services available. Your Service Coordinator, DORS or DDA representative can identify more agencies that would suit your student’s particular needs.
The materials in this handbook are by no means all inclusive.They are meant to be a guide and resource about some of the available programs and services. Each service provider and benefits agency has their own qualification process and each application must be submitted separately.
Adult services are eligibility based, not an entitlement like services from the school system. In addition, there may be a waiting list for some services.