Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

What Is Transition?It’s the processthat takesyoung peoplewith disabilitiesfrom childhoodto adulthoodand helps themmove frombeing dependentto beingindependentboth socially andfinancially.Transition is the process that takesyoung people with disabilities fromchildhood to adulthood.The transition process promotes movement fromschool to post-school activities as well as fromliving in state care to independent living. Youthin state care will have two types of transitionplans. One plan is school based, the secondplan is based in the youth’s case plan throughthe agency responsible for caring for the youth(the Community Based Care provider or DCF).Although they are separate, both plans shouldbe coordinated so that the goals are consistentand everyone working with the youth knows whois responsible for each activity. Planning shouldinclude everyone involved in the youth’s life: theyouth, his or her caseworkers, educators, serviceproviders, family, foster family and friends. Theparticipants should agree on the contributions theywill make and how they will work together. Theywill design a plan with timelines and measurableoutcomes and agree to follow up with support.The school based plan must be designed to producean outcome based on the individual youth’s needs,preferences and interests. The young person and hisor her team select goals for adulthood. The desiredoutcome can include any number of goals, suchas post-secondary education, vocational training,integrated employment, supported employment,continuing and adult education, adult services,independent living and community participation.The activities and services in the school basedplan are then designed to reach those goals. Theactivities in the process can include instruction,related services, community experiences, theidentification of an appropriate living arrangement,the development of employment and other postschool,adult-living objectives, functional vocationalevaluation, and, when needed, the acquisition ofdaily living skills.4The case plan for transition from foster care toindependent living should plan for the same outcomesas the school based plan. It will also have specificitems that have been identified in Florida law asbeing necessary to include for youth in state care.A well-managed transition gives young adults thechance to have the greatest possible independence,competence, enjoyment and mastery of life.For a transition plan to be effective, the combinedefforts of everyone involved are necessary –the youth, caseworkers, foster family, familyand friends, educators, and professionalsfrom government and private agencies.With that team in high gear, the youth intransition will have more adult opportunitiesand a much better chance to succeed. Thetransition years can be a time to prepare foradulthood, make the living arrangements thatwill work and line up the services and technologythat can supply freedom and competence.All youth in state care are entitled to assistancewith the transition from state care to independentliving. As far as school-based transition plans, federallaws and regulations require that some people withdisabilities (those covered by IDEA, the Individualswith Disabilities Education Act) have assistance in theirtransitions. Others with disabilities (those coveredby Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, but not byIDEA) have a right to transition services if they requestthem. Much can be gained by requesting them.A few of the goals and services to beconsidered during transition are:Education Related• type of high school diploma to achieve• college (2 year or 4 year)• continuing and adult education• vocational or trade school