North Coastal Consortium for Special Education (NCCSE) > Resources > Transition Services Taskforce

Resources and guidelines to assist youth with disabilities as they transition from school to adult life, including education and training, employment and independent living.

Employment. Resources and guidelines for educators, parents and agencies that will assist transition age youth identify and move toward their postsecondary goals in the area of employment.

Education and Training. Resources and guidelines that will assist transition age youth identify and move toward their postsecondary goals in education and/or training.

Independent Living. Resources and guidelines that will assist transition age youth identify and move toward their postsecondary goals in independent living.

Compliance. Resources and guidelines that will assist transition age youth develop transition plans that comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Guideposts for Success. A document developed by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that identifies key educational and career development interventions.

Employment First Policy. Resources and guidelines that will assist transition age youth develop postsecondary goals that lead to competitive, integrated employment (CIE).

Further Education

Making College Affordable - A Guide for Students with Disabilities http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/spotlight/affordable-colleges-for-students-with-disabilities/

A complete guide to college financing for students with disabilities, including advice on loans, grants and scholarships specifically for students with disabilities, as well as resources to help with the job search after graduation.

PSAT,SAT and/or ACT accommodations: If you have taken the necessary general education classes to apply to a four year university directly from high school, you will be taking the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT during your junior year. You may qualify to receive accommodations similar to those written into your I.E.P. College Board and ACT are not required to grant these accommodations, however you may want to see if they will be granted.

Apply directly to the test-taking companies. You will need a copy of your I.E.P.

SAT https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities

ACT http://www.actstudent.org/regist/disab/

10 Colleges with Programs for ASD Students

NCWD - National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability

http://www.ncwd-youth.info/

NCWD/Youth is your source for information about employment and youth with disabilities. NCWD/Youth works to ensure that transition age youth are provided full access to high quality services to gain education, employment and independent living. Resources include:

Transition Truths - an online tool that describes systems that may affect youth with and without disabilities as they transition from youth to adulthood. Students can learn about their rights within these systems, plan for their transition, and identify areas where change is needed within their communities.

By Youth, for Youth: Employment - this guide (written by and for youth who want to know more about finding and keeping the right job) discusses subjects, such as what makes a job right for each young person, job search and resume development, and how to interview for a job. The publication also addresses disability disclosure in the workplace and how to request accommodations, if needed. Additional information includes employment supports and services, including vocational rehabilitation and transportation.

North County Youth Resource Guide

This publication, created by the CHATncsd Program at Vista Community Clinic, is a great north county resource for a multitude of needs including:

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Decision-Making
Driving
Eating Disorders
Education
Emotional and Mental Health
Employment
Health and Nutrition
Personal Safety
Support Groups
Teens and the Law
Volunteering

Self Advocacy

http://www.selfadvocacyonline.org/ Find self-advocacy groups, view stories from self-advocates, learn about self-advocacy and research self-advocacy.

Social Security Administration

http://www.ssa.gov

2011 RED BOOK The Red Book - A guide to employment supports for persons with disabilities under the SSI Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs.

SSI/SSDI - Disability Help Center: http://www.ssdhelpcenter.org/ - the Disability Help Center assists people seeking to receive Social Security Disability, SSI and Veteran's Disability Benefits. Their services are free.

Ticket to Work

http://www.chooseworkttw.net/

If you are age 18 through 64 and receive Social Security Disability benefits you can take advantage of Work Incentives that make it easier to work and still receive health care and cash benefits from Social Security, and protections if you have to stop working due to your disability. Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who want to work. The Ticket program is free and voluntary. The program helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence. Ticket to Work connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or maintain success while you are working. If you choose to participate, you will receive services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and job placement and training from authorized Ticket to Work service providers, such as Employment Networks (EN) or your state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency. The service provider you choose will serve as an important part of your “employment team” that will help you on your journey to financial independence.

Other Disability Resources & Publications

Department of Rehabilitation: http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov - The California Department of Rehabilitation works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living and equality for individuals with disabilities.

Disability Benefits: http://www.disabilitybenefits101.org - DB101 brings together rules for health coverage, benefit, and employment programs that people with disabilities use. These programs may be run by state, federal government, non-profit, or private organizations. Here they are discussed under one roof and in plain language.

Disability Disclosure: The 411 on Disability Disclosure-This workbook helps you think about disclosing a disability. It does not tell you what to do, but it does help you make informed decisions about disclosing your disability and how that will affect your educational, employment, and social lives. Making the personal decision to disclose your disability can lead to greater confidence in yourself and your choices. Disclosure is a very personal decision that takes thought and practice. Both young people with visible disabilities and those with hidden (not readily apparent) disabilities can benefit from using this workbook.

A Guide for Transition Age Youth - A booklet designed by the San Diego Regional Center to help you and your child prepare for transition. It answers those questions most often asked by parents and tells you where to get additional information.

The Journey To Life After High School: A Road Map for Parents of Children with Special Needs -

This comprehensive guide from Ability Path.org examines the law as it impacts a child with special needs, the importance of the I.E.P. and the different paths a student may take after graduating from high school. This publication examines the steps that need to be taken prior and subsequent to graduation.

San Diego Family Magazine's Flourishing Families: Each year San Diego Family Magazine publishes a special needs resource guide for families and agencies in San Diego County, Flourishing Families. It is a comprehensive list of behavior, education and health resources located here in San Diego County and beyond. Use this link to access the digital issue. Flourishing Families 2015.

Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego: http://specialneedsresourcefoundationofsandiego.org/ A website and publication which bring together people, information and resources.

Youth Transition Tool Kit: A Guide for Youth with Disabilities Transitioning to Adulthood- http://tknlyouth.sdsu.edu/ This toolkit was developed by the California Health Incentives Improvement Project (CHIIP) and includes information on education, employment, independent living, health care, finances, and social/recreation. Each section contains information for the young person, tips for parents, and resources. Most sections also contain youth worksheets. Youth may create their own notebooks by printing the sections of the tool kit that are relevant to their needs and interests.

Other Useful Resources

Financial Aid:

FAFSA: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Cal Grant (How to apply): http://www.calgrants.org/index.cfm?navId=22

Options: http://www.mappingyourfuture.org/paying/financialaid.htm

Further Education:

CalState San Marcos: http://www.csusm.edu

MiraCosta College: http://www.miracosta.cc.ca.us

Palomar College: http://www.palomar.edu

Making My Way Through College - This great publication is from the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability. Subject matter includes:

Get the Facts about College

Decisions about Disability Disclosure & Connecting to Disability Services
Get to Know Your School
Figure out Your Finances
Learn about Disability Benefits Planning
Decide What Support You Need & Get Connected
Connect with Other Students, Including Students with Disabilities
Take Charge of Your Health & Well-being
Understand Yourself
Create Your Individualized Plan

Affordable Colleges and Online Courses:

Affordable Colleges Online: http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/online-colleges/california/

Whether you’re looking for online colleges with financial aid or affordable colleges and universities with a good return on investment, this website has done the research so you don’t have to.

You can obtain an online degree from a four-year college for a fraction of the cost of attending the school.

The site has developed a comprehensive lists of affordable college and online college options. They also provide information regarding financial aid options and advice on filling out the FAFSA form.

The Law: When You Become 18 and Kids & the Law

State Bar of California publications regarding the law and how it impacts your teenager - http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public.aspx

When You Become 18 - A handbook that describes how the law changes when you become 18 and all the various ways in which that impacts your life and the decisions you need to make. Now that you are an adult in the eyes of the law. You can rent your own apartment, take charge of your finances and even buy a car on your own — all without a parent’s consent or assistance. But adulthood also brings new responsibilities and consequences. Your parents no longer have to support you. You can now be sued personally. You are responsible for paying your own income taxes. If you are a young man, you must register for the military. And if you commit a crime, you will not have the protection of the juvenile court and laws; you could wind up in jail for something that, at a younger age, might have resulted in no more than a stern lecture and a ride home in a police car. This guide touches on some of the laws that may apply to you at this turning point. Keep in mind that laws are constantly.

Kids and The Law - Kids and the Law: An A-to-Z Guide for Parents is designed to give you a basic overview of some of the laws that apply to children—laws created, in many instances, to help safeguard your youngsters at school, in part-time jobs and at play. This guide can also help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a parent and assist you in answering your children’s questions about the law.