Transitioning Youth
What is “Transitioning Youth”?
The formal process of student transition begins in the school system when a child is 14 and will continue over the next few years with planning and related activity. This occurs in preparation for the time when the student will leave school for the adult world. Eligible students with developmental disabilities are entitled to remain in school until the year of their 21st birthday.
Planning With Your Service Coordinator
A Service Coordinator can assist the student and family with transition planning and is also the person that would help a student go through the process to access funding under the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
As part of the discussion and planning process with your Service Coordinator, you may be provided with a variety of resources pertinent to the county in which you live, as well as other regional, state or national resources. This may include information about employment, government benefits, advocacy, college, health insurance, housing, futures and estates planning, recreation, transportation, and so much more. The information is tailored to address each person’s individualized planning.
Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative
With regard to services through the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), a person may be able to access funding through the Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative (GTYI) to purchase supported employment or other day services through DDA’s network of licensed provider agencies. Obtaining funding will depend upon the person’s eligibility for DDA services, the availability of funding, and completing the process within a specific timeframe. For a person not GTYI eligible, but still eligible for DDA services, he or she may access more limited vocational supports, based on availability of funding. DDA services are eligibility-based, not an entitlement like services from the school system.
