91��Ƭ��

What is Transition Planning in 91��Ƭ��?

Transition is a process that happens throughout the year that focuses on your child’s goals for the future. In the 91��Ƭ��, Transition Services must begin by the annual ARD before your child turns 14 years of age. However, a Transition IEP can be drafted and implemented at any time prior to age 14. As part of the ARD committee, your input, as well as your child’s input, is critical in the development of these goals and coordinated set of activities. When the ARD committee meets, including you and your child, a plan is developed that includes these goals and coordinated set of activities. The activities are designed to help your child make progress toward his/her post-secondary goals. During the school year, your child will engage in activities and learn skills related to:

• Daily living
• Community experiences
• Self-advocacy
• Related services
• Employment
• Training and/or education

The following individuals are involved in this process: students, parents, special education teachers, general education teachers, school administrators, school support staff (e.g., counselors, Post Secondary Facilitators), and other individuals you feel have an educational interest in your child. If written permission is obtained from a child’s legal guardian, then agency representatives that may support children with disabilities may be involved.

What are Medicaid Waivers and Interest Lists?

Medicaid waivers allow the state to be more flexible in how it spends money to provide some long-term services to some people with disabilities or elderly citizens who are eligible for Medicaid. Waivers override certain rules for how that funding can be used. Now, if eligibility requirements are met, people can receive the services they need in their own homes or other community settings. In Texas, there are several different waiver programs that offer a broad range of home and community-based services. There are different rules and funding amounts associated with each of the different waivers. In general, though, they all help people with disabilities or elderly citizens obtain the supports they need.

Applicants are placed on the interest lists on a first-come, first-served basis. When a person’s name comes to the top of the lists, he or she will be contacted by a caseworker to determine eligibility. The wait time to be contacted by a caseworker can be up to 13 years. Therefore, individuals are strongly encouraged to place their names on the interest lists as soon as possible. In addition, individuals are advised to update their contact information yearly. Below is a list of several available Medicaid Waiver programs: Home and Community-based Services (HCS)�� Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS)�� Medically Dependent Children’s Program (MDCP)�� Community Based Alternatives (CBA)�� Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD)��

What Can I Do to Help My Child Prepare for the Future?

Collect information about your child by asking him/her the following questions:

• What are your strengths, interests and abilities? What are you good at? What do you like to do? What are your hobbies?��What are your��talents? What are your favorite extra-curricular activities?
• How do you learn best? Do you learn better by listening, speaking, playing or writing?
• What are your goals for the future? Where do you want to live when you get older? Where do you want to go��to school/college?��What do you want to be when you grow up?

Ask yourself the following questions about your child:

• What skills and experiences does my child need in order to reach his/her goals?
• What functional skills does my child do at this time? (e.g., grooming skills, self-help��skills, chores, cooking, money management)
• What level of independence does my child possess when it comes to important life��skills, self-advocacy and responsibility?

Learn about resources available to you and your child at school and in the community.

• Talk to the Post Secondary Facilitator assigned to your child’s campus.
• Identify agencies that may help with your child’s disability. A list of agencies is��located on this webpage.
• Attend the annual 91��Ƭ�� Community Resource Fair.

The following are several suggestions on how you can help your child prepare for the future.

• Provide your child time to practice basic skills. (e.g., chores, time, safety skills)
• Help your child get to know themselves better.
• Give your child opportunities to make choices.
• Help your child with their communication skills. (e.g., listening/speaking skills)
• Promote problem-solving and decision-making at home.
• Teach assertiveness and self-advocacy skills through modeling and role-play.
• Help your child learn how to set goals.
• Foster friendships and community supports. (e.g., play groups, summer camps)
• Encourage your child to prepare for and take part in their ARD meeting.
• Plan for the future NOW!

Student Participation in the ARD Meeting and Transition Process

By law a student must be invited to attend the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting if the purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the student’s post-secondary goals and the transition services needed to achieve those goals. In the 91��Ƭ�� students in grades 5 – 12 are encouraged to prepare for and participate in their ARD committee meeting to the maximum extent possible with support from their family and school.

Transition Topics & Supports

Texas Driving with Disability Resources

The following resources may be helpful information to students and their families.

• (PDF)
• ��
• (Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities)
• (Texas Department of Public Safety)

Universities, Colleges, & Trade/Technical Schools (applications, financial aid, scholarships)

Transportation, Housing, & Independent Living

Disability-Specific Resources

Government Agencies & Community Organizations

Military

College/School Entrance Exams

Employment and Volunteering

Recreation and Leisure

Guardianship

REGARDLESS OF A PERSON’S DISABILITY, WHEN THAT PERSON TURNS 18, THEY ARE CONSIDERED A LEGAL ADULT.

What this means is, the person has the right to enter into contracts, make decisions without needing consent from another person, etc.�� Texas laws permit another person to petition for guardianship of someone who may not be able to make decisions for themselves.

To do this, the individual seeking the petition will need to go to court.�� He/she could hire a lawyer, or possibly petition directly to the courts in some cases.

The process cannot begin until the person is almost 18.�� Whether you represent yourself or hire a lawyer, the courts will assign a lawyer to the person from whom you are trying to get guardianship.�� They will take the stance of protecting the rights of that person.�� You or your lawyer, with input from a court investigator, will argue whether there is justification for taking over the decision-making rights of the person.

The process may take weeks or even months, so one must prepare in advance if they wish to seek guardianship.

For more information on how to seek guardianship, research information at the following websites or contact a lawyer who has experience in guardianship cases.

NOT ALL PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY NEED GUARDIANSHIP.

Special Needs Trust / SSI