Transition services after graduation

Parents can find it challenging to help their child navigate service systems following graduation or completion of high school. For most students, special education services will end upon graduation. However, your child will still need support with their education, employment, or independent living skills, there are a variety of options available. Parents, students, and teachers should start talking about these options for the transition plan years before completing high school. Your child’s IEP team will determine the best approach to meet your child’s individual needs and goals.

Options for transition services to consider as your child transitions to adulthood

• Comprehensive supports in institutions of higher education. Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTP) are a form of post-secondary education offered at schools of higher education. They provide inclusive academic, social, career, and technical programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. CTP is designed for individuals wanting to maximize their skills to increase employment opportunities and is considered part of a student's transition plan on their IEP. CTP may lead to a post-secondary credential or degree and may occur during or after high school completion.
• Community-based work experiences. Community-based work experience is another post-secondary training option for individuals with disabilities. This type of work experience is important as it allows students to develop the necessary skills to prepare them for adult life. These skills include time management, communication, and problem-solving. Community-based work may be paid or unpaid. Students who engage in community-based work experiences often secure higher-paying positions upon completion and integrate into more job opportunities than those students who do not engage in community-based work experiences.
• Internship and mentorship opportunities. Internships and mentorships are additional options for students with IEPs. Internships are temporary job opportunities to experience real life workplaces to enrich the provisions and supports outlined in a student's IEP. Mentorships, on the other hand, allow students to be trained by a more senior or experienced individual, known as the mentor. The mentor enhances the workplace environment with richer and more dynamic experiences, providing guidance and support to the student.
• Vocational Rehabilitation opportunities. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) can assist in transition planning by providing support toward career, college, or independent living goals for students 16 or older and, in some states, younger students, depending on special education mandates. Contracted by the state, VR meets frequently with students one-on-one or in small groups to work towards individually identified goals that have been determined by the student and their IEP team.
• Social Security Disability (SSI). SSI is a federal program designed to assist individuals with disabilities. It provides financial benefits to those unable to work due to a medical condition or disability. This assistance helps cover essential living expenses such as food, clothing, and shelter. SSI eligibility does not require an individual to have a work history.
• Various programs and services available to support your child as they leave K-12 special education supports. It is important to talk with your child’s IEP team about your child’s post-secondary goals early and frequently to ensure the necessary supports can established the supports necessary can be set-up and established. It also is helpful to talk with your local
• Continued special education support for students who did not receive a diploma. For students who have completed their K-12 education yet continue to require special education support, transition and vocational rehabilitation through public schools is available to them through the summer break of the school year in which the student turns 22. To qualify for this program, a student would receive a certificate of completion upon finishing their senior year of high school rather than a high school diploma. A high school diploma signifies successful completion of academic programming and closes the opportunity for special education services for a student.

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