Transition
Transition Planning Checklists/Timeline
Additional Kansas Transition Resources - Websites
What Is Transition Planning?
Transition planning is the process of preparing for life after high school for students with disabilities. This includes planning for:
- Work
- College or job training
- Living on your own
- Being part of your community
Transition planning should start early, around age 10.
Starting to plan for life after high school before high school ends gives students more time to:
- Build confidence
- Try new things
- Figure out what works best for them
Transition planning helps students and families:
- Discover strengths, interests, and goals
- Talk about hopes for the future
- Identify barriers or challenges to reaching those goals
- Build important life skills and self-confidence
- Connect with their schools, communities, and Kansas resources
Some areas to think about in the transition planning process:
Personal Growth and Advocacy
- Understanding your strengths and needs
- Setting personal goals
- Self-determination and decision-making
- Communication and self-advocacy
- Healthy relationships and peer support
School and Community Involvement
- Getting involved in school clubs and community events
- Volunteering or interning
- Building friendships and support networks
Education and Work Skills
- Study skills and note-taking
- Resume writing and interview prep
- Career exploration and networking
- Understanding workplace behavior and body language/eye contact
Independent Living Skills:
- Time management
- Budgeting and money skills
- Organizing and cleaning
- Healthy living and stress management
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving
And much more!
Transition Planning Checklists
The Transition Council of South Central Kansas (TCSCK) has four checklists to help you plan for a successful transition. The checklists cover early elementary school through age 21.
Checklist/Timeline for Successful Transition Planning at Ages 5-10 (K-5th grade)
Includes tasks like:
- Connect with local Developmental Disability Office for funding support and Targeted Case Management services.
- Applying for the I/DD or PD waiver is important for funding. Connect with your local Center for Independent Living for equipment and other supports.
- Check if your child qualifies for Medicaid or SSI
- Visit the Social Security Administration's website
- Connect with Families Together for education regarding special education and child supports.
- Invite care coordinators and/or case managers to all IEP meetings. Connect school case management with your outside resources to create a team for your child.
- Set up a legal and financial framework for your child’s future. (Create a will, special needs trust or ABLE account, find an alternate guardian)
- Expand your child’s social and physical skills: Plan play dates, join library, athletic, faith-based activities, creative arts, scouts, 4-h, and cultural activities.
- Explore technology access to aid your child with communication and academic knowledge.
Checklist/Timeline for Successful Transition Planning at Ages 11-14 (6th-8th grade)
Includes tasks like:
- Invite care coordinators and/or case managers to all IEP meetings. Connect school & case management
with your outside resources to create a team for your child. - Identify and help your child to connect with groups that share similar interests: athletic, faith-based, creative arts, humanitarian, civic, 4-H, and cultural.
- Obtain a state identification card from the DMV and the ability to communicate personal information.
- Broaden experiences with community activities and expand friendships (AbilityPoint <formerly The Arc>; Circle of Friends, Special Olympics, YESS Camp).
- Aid your child to be able to explain their disability and their needed accommodations. Encourage your child to make choices and to positively share what they want to help develop self advocacy skills.
- Explore interests and skills, complete interest and career inventories, and identify additional education or training needs to improve skills.
- Expect your child to complete household chores. Laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc.
Checklist/Timeline for Successful Transition Planning at Ages 15-17 (9th-11th grade)
Includes tasks like:
- Invite adult service providers, peers, and others supports to the IEP transition meeting
- Match career interests and skills with vocational course work, community work, volunteer and
employment experiences. - Identify personal contacts that would beneficial for personal and employment supports
- Apply for determined needs of medical and financial support-Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, state financial Supplemental programs.
- Even if receiving Social Security benefits as a minor, you must apply for adult benefits.
- Explore various guardianship/supported decision making options with regards to decision making prior to age 18
- Ensure you have a copy of your student’s Summary of Performance (prior to graduation) and the school has provided confirmation of the Senior Survey (in completion of post-secondary outcomes)
- Update any and all service and support providers of changes in address, phone and other contact
information.
Checklist/Timeline for Successful Transition Planning at Ages 18-21
Includes tasks like:
- Apply as adult for Medicaid (KanCare), Supplemental Security Income, Independent Living Services, Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Connect or maintain relationship with Vocational Rehabilitation for assistance with employment goals
- Establish a Special Needs Trust or ABLE savings account
- Register to vote
- Practice arriving on time to work, appointments, and social activities
- Practice taking care of health care needs (making appointments, filling and taking prescriptions, etc.)
- Maintain support programs (Medicaid (KanCare), Supplemental Security Income, Independent Living Services, Vocational Rehabilitation).