Transition Services
What is Transition?
Transition is a process designed to assist students with disabilities to achieve their postsecondary goals in the areas of education, employment and adult living. Through transition planning, annual goals and a coordinated set of activities focusing on both academic and functional skills are established to facilitate progress towards a student's postsecondary goals.
Federal and State Law
Federal law states that beginning no later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16 (State law states age 14), or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP Team, and updated annually, thereafter, the IEP must include -Appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills. The transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals.
Parent Involvement
Overview
- When a student is younger than 18, the student’s parent(s) and other people invited by the parent or school must have an opportunity to be appropriately involved.
- The student’s parent(s) can be involved in transition planning by attending the ARD committee meeting and giving input on decisions about the future, such as assisting in the selection of an endorsement, appropriate classes, career-related training, self-determination resources, and opportunities for community participation.
- If a student is at least 18, people invited by the student or school to attend the ARD committee meeting should have an opportunity to be appropriately involved.
- When a student reaches 18, the parent moves from primary decision-maker to a support system for the adult student, although the parent will continue to receive notice of ARD committee meetings.
- The student may request parental involvement in making decisions about education or the student may request a supporter through a supported decision-making agreement.
Transition and Community Resources
The following transition and community resources are designed to empower students and their families with valuable insights into post-secondary services and pathways. Whether exploring higher education, vocational training, or independent living options, these resources offer guidance tailored to each student's goals. They also provide practical strategies to help families prepare for life beyond public school graduation. Accessing this information early can make the transition smoother and more successful.
LIDDA and LMHA
Texana Center: Provides crisis, mental health, ABA, developmental disability services to our area. Texana is the Fort Bend Local Mental Health Authority and Local IDD Authority. https://www.texanacenter.com/
Dayhab and Residential Services
Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal – Dayhab and Residential List (TULIP): The Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal contains the list of dayhabs and residences for the state of Texas. As locations are opened and closed, this will provide the most up to date information on dayhabs and group homes in your area. LTC Provider Search
The Coalition for Barrier Free Living: Provides programs and services to support individuals with independent living. https://hcil.cc/
Vocational Programs
The following programs provide services to individuals to procure and support employment.
Texas Workforce Commission: https://www.twc.texas.gov/
Workforce Solutions: https://www.wrksolutions.com/
18 and Beyond Special Services: https://18andbeyondspecialservices.org/
NonPareil Institute of Houston: https://npusa.org/
Summerhouse Houston: https://summerhousehouston.org/
The H.E.A.R.T. Program: https://heartprogram.org/
The Center for Pursuit: https://www.pursuitcenter.org/
Guardianship and Alternatives
At the age of 18 all individuals become their own guardians unless an adult seeks guardianship of the individual. The resources below assist with gaining guardianship or seeking other shared decision-making alternatives.
Brazos Bend Guardianship: https://brazosbendguardianship.org/
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities: https://tcdd.texas.gov/
The ARC of U.S. Supported Decision Making: https://thearc.org/decision-making-resources/
Insurance and Financial Assistance
The following resources provide assistance for accessing grants, waivers, SSI, and other insurance and financial aids.
Navigate Life Texas: https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en
Texas Health and Human Services: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/
Texas Able: https://www.texasable.org/
National Disability Institute: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/
The ARC Master Pooled Trust: https://www.thearcoftexas.org/trust/
Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/
Community and Advocacy Support
The ARC of Fort Bend: Provides residential services, advocacy, special Olympics, scholarships, community resources, and support groups.
Post Secondary Education
The following institutions of higher education provide vocational based programs at the college campuses.
HCC VAST Program: https://www.hccs.edu/continuing-education/departments/hcc-vast-academy/
Texas A&M Aggie Achieve: https://aggieachieve.tamu.edu/
University of Texas – E4 Texas: https://disabilitystudies.utexas.edu/e4texas
University of St. Thomas: https://www.stthom.edu/Academics/School-of-Innovation-and-Professional-Studies/Associate-Degrees/Applied-Science/Pragmatic-Studies/Index.aqf?Aquifer_Source_URL=%2FPragmaticStudies&PNF_Check=1
Transportation
The following resources provide transportation support around Fort Bend County and the Houston area.
Fort Bend Transit: https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/public-transportation
Houston Metro: https://www.ridemetro.org/riding-metro/transit-services/metrolift-paratransit
Transition Information and Planning
The following resources focus on providing more information about IEP transition requirements as well as planning tools for future transitions.
Texas Project First: https://texasprojectfirst.org/en/transition-in-the-iep/
Texas SPED Support: https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/topics/transition
The ARC U.S. Center for Future Planning: https://futureplanning.thearc.org/
The ARC U.S. Online Tool: Build Your Future Plan: https://futureplanning.thearc.org/users/sign_up