Transition From School To Adult Life
by
Herbert D. Hinkle, Esq. and S. Paul Prior, Esq.
Hinkle & Fingles, Attorneys at Law
2651 Main Street
Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648
(609) 896-4200 or (215) 860-2100
Effective transition planning will give students with disabilities
an edge on success in adult life. To be effective, planners need
information about adult services.
Federal law requires school districts to start transition planning
with families at age 14. From then on, the subject must be included in
the IEP.
It is important to become familiar with the state agencies that
provide adult services. In New Jersey the agencies are the Division of
Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Vocational and
Rehabilitative Services. In Pennsylvania they are the County Mental
Health\Mental Retardation Agency and the Office of Vocational
Rehabilitation.
Here are some practical thoughts on how to effectively use the
transition process:
First, use the early years after age 14 to map out where the child
should be as an adult. Disabilities come in all shapes and sizes. Is
college realistic? Is independent employment a goal? Is supervised
living required? Become familiar with services and the agencies that
provide services. If the local district has placed the student in a
private school, staff there can be an invaluable planning resource.
This is especially true when the private school also operates adult
programs.
Next, target the agencies that can provide the necessary services.
Invite their representatives to IEP meetings to assist with planning,
but do not go to a meeting with such agencies unprepared. Know what is
needed, but be willing to listen to advice. Ask the agency staff to
sign the IEP indicating agreement with it. Do not water down the
transition plan because of gloomy staff predictions about the
availability of services. Keep focused on what is needed.
If agency staff will not participate, check with their supervisors. If
staff cannot attend, send staff draft plans asking for input and
approval. The goal is to commit the relevant agencies to the services
necessary to enhance the likelihood that they will be available when
needed. Do not wait until the last minute.
______
Herbert D.
Hinkle, his partner, Ira M. Fingles and their colleague, S. Paul
Prior, maintain a statewide
law practice with offices in Lawrenceville, Marlton, and Florham Park,
New Jersey, and Yardley, Pennsylvania. They lecture and write frequently
on topics of law, aging, disability and estate planning and are available
to speak to groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
at no charge.
Comments and suggestions
for future articles should be mailed to: Hinkle & Fingles, 2651 Main Street, Suite A, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648-1012.
Copyright 2004
Herbert D. Hinkle. All rights reserved.
