The plan, goals, and tests should be looked at and updated every year to be sure they still match your child’s goals, abilities, and interests.

The plan should have specific steps and resources for life after high school, such as work experiences or help applying to colleges.

Talk about travel training with the IEP team. Can your child take a bus or drive a car? How can the school help your child get these skills?

Think About the Future
Do you think your child will be ready graduate in 4 years? If not, talk with your child about possibly delaying graduation so she can get more services

Ask about connections with Adult Service Providers

The Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) (www.bit.ly/IL-DRS Voice: 877-581-3690 or TTY: 800-447-6404) has Transition programming for students and adult services that include:

• Education and training – Find programs, help with application and enrollment, and help pay for  college or training programs.
• Employment – Find job options, help with applications and interviews, and provide on-the-job  coaching for a set time.

If you have questions or run into any issues getting services from DRS, contact the Client Assistance Program (CAP) at EFE. (Voice: 1-855-452-2725 Email:  cap@equipforequality.org)  

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD) (www.bit.ly/IL-DD) gives:

• Help finding a job and job coaching.
• Home-based Support Services (HBSS) such as day program or money to pay for in-home help.
• Residential Services such as Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs).

If your child has DD, contact your Independent Service Coordination agency (ISC) to conduct a Pre-Admission Screening with IDHS. This will put your child on PUNS (Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services), a list of people with DD who may need services as an adult. Update your child’s PUNS file each year.

Talk with an attorney about whether your family should create a Special Needs Trust.

Be sure the plan still matches your child’s goals, abilities, and interests. In 1 year, your child will have the right to make her own decisions. She may be getting ready to graduate. Now is the time to think about:

• Will your child be ready to make her own education decisions?
• Will your child be ready to graduate? If not, she can stay in special education until she turns 22.
• If she is ready to graduate, what help will she need after high school?

Talk about these things with the IEP team. If you disagree with the decision to graduate your child, you need to ask for mediation or due process within 10 business days of the IEP meeting.

Graduation
Is your child on track to graduate? Is she ready to leave high school? Consider options for after graduation, including college, training programs, competitive and supportive employment, and day programs. If she is not ready, you can delay graduation so your child can receive extra special education services. Think about extra special education services such as:

• Dual Enrollment – Student continues to get special education services while taking classes at a community college or participating in another education or training program.
• Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTPs) – Offers students with intellectual disabilities continued instruction on academics, careers, and independent living skills to prepare for paid work.
• Transition Services in School – Continued services in neighborhood school, co-op, or private school program focused on preparing for future work, schooling, and/or independent living.

After graduation, talk to DRS about adult services and update your child’s information with PUNS. If your child is going to college, ask about the college’s disability services. No matter what she chooses to do after graduation, look into adult services at the:

• Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213
• Centers for Independent Living: www.incil.org
• Illinois Division of Mental Health: www.bit.ly/idhs-mental-health
• Regional Transportation Authority (travel training): www.bit.ly/cta-pace-metra