Living in the Community > Transition Planning (Ages 14-25)

Transition Planning (Ages 14-25)

Information on Housing may also be useful in Transition Planning. Housing information

A Transition Planning Guide for Families of Youth and Young Adults with Developmental Disabilities (opens new window)

Center for Community Inclusion - This is Maine's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. The center offers interdisciplinary education, community services, applied research and evaluation, and disseminates information on developmental disabilities.
http://www.ccids.umaine.edu

Children and Adults with AD/HD - CHADD serves individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) through collaborative leadership, advocacy, research, education and support, they provide science-based, information about AD/HD for parents, educators, professionals.
http://www.chadd.org/

HEATH Resource Center - The HEATH Resource Center is the national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. Support from the US Department of Education enables the clearinghouse to serve as an information exchange about educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, and opportunities.
http://www.heath.gwu.edu

Maine Transition Network/Committee on Transition - This statewide network, with six regional offices, provides information and technical assistance regarding transition planning with youth and young adults with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 25.
(800) 328-9549 or (207) 621-9878

DO-IT Program — DO-IT stands for Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology. This program focuses on education, careers, assistive technology, and providing resources for people with disabilities.
http://www.washington.edu/doit/

Employment and Work-Based Learning Activities for College Students with Disabilities - Advice to students with disabilities to prepare for employment. The title will open a link to a Microsoft Word version of the booklet in a new browser window.

Goodwill Industries of Northern New England - Goodwill Industries of Northern New England helps people with disabilities live more independently. Our mission is “through employment, residential, educational and support services, Goodwill works to enhance the social and economic independence of people with disabilities and others who experience barriers to such independence”.
http://www.goodwillnne.org/

A Guide to Special Education in Maine - This is a guide to special education in Maine, it can help parents understand and navigate school-based services and includes eligibility info, time lines, checklists and sample letters.
http://www.somepa.org/services.htm

Healthy and Ready to Work - This site offers assistance to adolescents with disabilities who are ready to transition to post-secondary education, or towards working in an independent environment.
http://www.hrtw.org

Job Accommodation Network - This is a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) of the U.S. Department of Labor. This site provides information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities to encourage employment and retention.
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/

Kids as Self Advocates — KASA is a national, grassroots network of youth with special needs and their friends, speaking on their own behalf. The site includes forums for youth to speak out, artwork by youth, and updates on news and rallies.
http://www.fvkasa.org

Maine Developmental Disabilities Council - The DD Council supports individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to participate in the design of, and access to, community resources. The council provides information and referral, works on systems change, educates legislators, and funds projects.
http://www.maineddc.org/

Post It - Though it's based in another state, this site has a collection of resources and tools for all guidance counselors, parents, and students. Applying for post-secondary education, self-advocacy for students with disabilities and training tools are some of the resources on this site. Enter the site by selecting "visitor". Multiple languages are also available.
http://www.postitt.org

Service Tapestry Database - Developed by the Center for Community Inclusion. This is a searchable database of programs in Maine for youth in transition.
http://www.umaine.edu/cci/servicetapestry/index.htm

Southern Maine Advisory Council on Transition - One of six regions for the Maine Transition Network, this organization provides services for those in Cumberland and York counties. Services include: information, education, training, and technical assistance related to transition planning with youth and young adults with special needs who are transitioning from school to adult life.
(800) 639-2420

Student Assistance Team Unit - This Maine site connects you to a group of school personnel who provide early identification, intervention, and referral to services for students experiencing academic or social problems. The program is located throughout Maine.
http://www.maine.gov/education/sat/

Struggling Teens - The Struggling Teens site gives guidance about clinical and educational residential settings from the perspective of educational consultants.
http://strugglingteens.com

Transition Research Institute - Sponsored by the National Transition Alliance for Youth with Disabilities (NTA), this site gives examples of "promising practices" that might be useful to policy makers and educators.
http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/sped/tri/institute.html