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The first day of school is just around the corner. School supplies are ready. Your child has grown at least a couple of inches over the summer, so new clothes are necessary.
The school schedule is posted on the refrigerator — so you know the what, when and where for your child throughout the entire year.
But for many Oregon families, this first day of school feels much different. It may be the last first day of school, and the what, when and where at year’s end become major questions.
If your child has an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD), you’re probably looking at that school calendar and anxiously wondering what comes next. Many questions are swirling through your mind:
Plus, Oregon has a specific ‘wrinkle’ attached to its educational system:
Students with I/DD who don’t earn an Oregon diploma can continue receiving full-day educational services through the school year in which they turn 21. This means that the type of diploma or exit document affects when school services end and how much time families have to prepare for adulthood.
It’s important that Oregon families of students with I/DD know this:
While Oregon I/DD transition services may offer support beyond school, adult services don’t automatically pick up where the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) leaves off. Families need to make connections, establish eligibility and choose case management resources. This allows them to plan effectively for employment, housing, and other aspects of adult life.
This kind of planning for Oregon adult disability services can be overwhelming for any caregivers who want their loved ones with I/DD to live their best life possible.
The good news is that you don’t have to figure out Oregon I/DD services out all at once.
ALSO has developed this guide that breaks the process down into 7 clear steps. In addition, we have checklists you can use with your child’s IEP team, CDDP (Community Developmental Disabilities Program), VR counselor (Vocational Rehab), and service providers.
This is your first and most important question because the answer affects your entire timeline.
In these cases, school-based special education services generally end when the student graduates, which may happen at age 18 or 19.
Students who don’t earn a regular Oregon diploma can continue receiving full-day educational services through the school year in which they turn 21.
Important caregiver takeaway: The ‘last year of school’ may come at different ages, so don’t use 18 as your only planning deadline.
During the student’s final year, the school must provide a Summary of Performance (SOP) when the student graduates with an Oregon diploma or leaves school at the end of the school year in which they turn 21.
The SOP documents:
Important Caregiver Tip: Ask for the Summary of Performance in writing and keep a copy with your other transition documents.
Checklist:
When you’ve got a lengthy and complicated task ahead, it’s easy to get stressed. ALSO recommends that you break down the transition to adult services into smaller steps.
Let’s first introduce each step before diving into details:
Important Point: I/DD adult services and special education in Oregon schools each have a different set of eligibility criteria. This is why it’s critical to plan ahead and understand which options are available.
What is a CDDP?
The Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP) is the local entry point for Oregon’s I/DD service system. Each county has a separate CDDP that determines eligibility.
School Eligibility vs. Adult I/DD Eligibility
***Remember that having an IEP or qualifying for special education doesn’t automatically mean that someone is eligible for adult services.
A great way to maximize chances of being approved for adult services is to provide clear documentation of the type of disability and when it was diagnosed, as well as support needs. Keep all documentation from teachers, service providers, etc.
It’s particularly helpful to have documentation of difficulties in:
If families are already outside the 18–24 month window, they shouldn’t panic. Contact CDDP to get started.
Adults aged 18 and older who live in their own home or with family generally have 2 case management options:
Adults living in adult foster homes or 24-hour residential group homes receive case management services through their local CDDP.
The roles of these human services professionals are similar. They act as guides and facilitators, using person-centered planning to help individuals with disabilities get the support services they need. They also work with individuals and families to develop the Individual Support Plan (ISP) and the Oregon Needs Assessment (ONA).
What are the ISP and ONA?
The ISP is the person’s plan for the supports and services needed to live the life of their choosing. The ONA is an assessment of a person’s support needs. This document helps to identify the individual’s service group, which designates the range of hours available for in-home support.
Important Point: The ONA isn’t simply a test you ‘pass.’ It’s an important part of documenting the person’s actual support needs.
Checklist:
Families should do their best to think about work and/or volunteer options for their loved ones prior to the end of school.
VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) and I/DD-based supported employment are two separate paths, and families generally choose one or the other rather than doing both. I/DD-based supported employment is available through the county once a person is determined eligible for adult I/DD services (see Step 1). VR is open to anyone with a disability, regardless of I/DD eligibility. It’s worth exploring VR even if a family is also pursuing IDD-based services, since eligibility rules and waitlists can change which path moves faster.
Through VR, Oregon offers:
● Career exploration
● Job development
● Workplace readiness
● Targeted vocational assessment
VR services are currently on a waitlist in Oregon. While waiting, people can access similar support through ODDS Job Development at the county level. Families need to contact their Service Coordinator (SC) to get ODDS Job Development added to the person’s plan.
Because VR intake can take time to get going, ALSO recommends that families reach out to their SC about benefits counseling around the same time they open a VR case (see Step 5 for more on benefits counseling). Starting both early helps avoid delays later.
Other Transition Programs for Students and Young Adults
Checklist:
Oregon’s Employment says that competitive integrated employment (CIE) is the first priority option when planning employment services for work-age adults and youth with I/DD.
According to the US Department of Labor, core criteria for CIE are:
What Does an Employment Plan Look Like?
The foundation of a high-quality employment plan is one that targets actual career development. A person-centered Career Development Plan (CDP) is part of the ISP.
The CDP is person-centered, focusing on career and employment goals. It includes:
What an Employment Plan Can Look Like Through ALSO
ALSO employment professionals provide the highest quality employment services throughout Oregon.
We support people with:
Some might assume that when someone with I/DD turns 18, they will need a guardian. This is definitely not always the case.
What Changes at 18?
At 18, the young adult is generally presumed to have the legal authority to make their own decisions.
Transition Plans should therefore include discussion about how the person will:
Supported Decision-Making (SDM)
SDM is a best practice that supports the rights of individuals with disabilities to make choices about their life. They make these choices with the support of trusted family members, friends, and professionals of their own choosing.
The focus is on supporting autonomy, not removing it.
LEARN MORE: About the differences between guardianship and supported decision-making
Checklist:
The healthcare, service supports, financial resources that you have depended upon to care for your child for the first 18 years could change suddenly on their birthday.
So it’s definitely best to plan ahead to avoid any gaps in care and services. Check out this list of changes you need to consider:
Important Point: As with all benefits, eligibility requirements and regulations may change at any time. Families need to stay vigilant in reviewing Oregon government websites and notices related to changes in benefits.
Ask About Benefits Counseling
A good benefits counselor can help families navigate and become more aware of changes in benefits. Oregon has free benefits counseling available.
Checklist:
Where does your family member with I/DD want to live? What would make this possible? They should be able to live in the least restrictive environment.
You don’t have to have all the answers immediately. But it’s good to start these conversations early.
There are several choices to consider:
Conversations about housing should be initiated early. It’s a time though for caregivers and families to be honest about:
When your loved one transforms from child to adult, it’s an exciting yet nerve-wracking time. The team at ALSO has decades of experience in supporting these transitions.
Contact ALSO. We can help with this important transition to adulthood.
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