Transition Resources in Kansas
The Resource Center has information about helpful programs and services for transition-age youth with disabilities in Kansas. Each program has its own eligibility criteria and requirements. Please contact the program directly to confirm your eligibility.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
Pre-ETS helps students explore different jobs and get work experience while still in school. Pre-ETS are a good way to start learning job skills.
Contact a Pre-ETS Transition Specialist near you:
Call 1-866-213-9079 or visit www.dcf.ks.gov
Download a Pre-ETS Flyer here
Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
Centers for Independent Living help people with disabilities live independently. They are led by people with disabilities. CILs offer training, resources, and support to help you reach your goals.
CILs may help you with:
- Moving from school to adult life
- Learning how to live on your own
- Practicing everyday skills like cooking, budgeting, and managing a home
- Finding resources and services in your community
- Finding personal care assistants
- Connecting to housing, transportation, and local programs
- Peer support and mentoring from people with disabilities
- Advocacy to help you speak up for yourself and improve your services
To find the CIL near you, check out KACIL's CIL service map below. You can also visit the Disability Information & Access Line (DIAL) website and enter your zip code.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR)
VR has counselors who help people with disabilities reach their job and school goals. Services are based on your needs, skills, and interests.
VR may help you:
- Pay for college or job training
- Get job support to find employment that is right for you
Download a flyer about VR here
Families Together, Inc.
Families Together, Inc. provides support to families and their children with disabilities. They help families and transition age youth with disabilities from birth to age 26. They offer parent-to-parent support groups. They have resources about the transition from high school to adulthood.
The Support and Training for Employing People Successfully (STEPS) Program
The STEPS Program helps people with disabilities work without losing health insurance. STEPS gives you tools, training, and support to stay covered and succeed at work.
Learn more about how the STEPS Program here
Working Healthy
Working Healthy is a program that helps people with disabilities keep their health and long-term care coverage while working. Many people with disabilities want to work for fear losing Medicaid.
Working Healthy may help you:
- Keep Medicaid while working
- Earn more money
- Save more for your future
- Reach your career goals
Working Healthy is part of the KanCare system.
Learn more about Working Healthy here
Workforce Center Services (KansasWorks)
Workforce Centers may help you:
- Explore local jobs
- Write or update your resume
- Apply for jobs and training programs
Find your local Workforce Center here
Project SEARCH Transition-To-Work Program
Project SEARCH is a school-to-work program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It is a business-led initiative. Students spend one year learning in a workplace.
The program includes:
- Classroom learning
- Career exploration
- Three 10-week job rotations
The goal is for students to get real-world job skills and, ultimately, competitive employment.
Project SEARCH interns complete three 10-week internships.
Find a Project SEARCH program near you
Kansas Transition Planning Tool (iTransitionKS)
iTransition is a free app that helps students with disabilities plan for life after high school. Answer a few questions about your goals, and the app creates a custom plan you can download and use.
Visit itransition.org to learn more
Download a flyer
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
The CAP helps people with disabilities get services they from from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Centers for Independent Living. The CAP is run by the Disability Rights Center of Kansas.
The CAP may help you:
- Understand your rights
- Make informed choices about services
- Solve problems with VR or CILs
Download a flyer about the CAP here
Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK)
ATK connects people with assistive technology (AT). ATK helps people with disabilities all ages to get the AT they need to:
- Learn
- Work
- Play
- Participate
in community life safely and independently.
Supported Decision Making Resources
Supported Decision Making is an alternative to guardianship or conservatorship. It lets people with disabilities make their own choices, with help from the people they trust.
Visit the Kansas Supported Decision Making website for more info
Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Secondary Transition Resources
KSDE offers webinars and materials about transition-related topics.
Kansas University Center on Disabilities (KUCD) My Transition My Career Projects
KUCD has two projects called the My Transition My Career (MTMC) projects. These projects are led by young adults with disabilities for young adults with disabilities. They help make sure young adults with disabilities get what they need in the school-to-life transition. They help them work and live independently.
KUCD has created a Guide for Community Teams. Learn more here
Financial Supports & Tools
Kansas ABLE Savings Program - Kansas ABLE Savings Plan helps people with disabilities save money without losing SSI or Medicaid.
Learn more on the Kansas ABLE Savings Plan website
Special Needs Trusts - A type of trust set up for people with disabilities to save and use money without losing benefits like SSI or Medicaid. Also referred to as a supplemental needs trust (SNT).