Integrated transition planning is a path to living a full, meaningful and connected life as a member of the community. It means planning for what will change as your young adult becomes an adult. We know that everyone is different, so every idea might not be right for your family.

Imagine Their Best Life: As your young adult prepares for adulthood, think broadly about their future. Together with your child, talk about health, leisure activities, culture, learning, friends, employment, housing, faith, and more.

Where to Begin

What Makes Your Young Adult Happy? Pay attention to the things that interest your young adult and what they like to share with friends, family and teachers. Talk with them about what made their day a go well. Then use these ideas to find opportunities to get them involved in their community.

Ask for Support You don’t have to figure this out alone. There are professionals who can offer assistance to your family. If your young adult is enrolled in long-term care, ask their service and support coordinator about community supports for adults. Connect with your local Independent Living Center, your young adult’s high school special education or IEP team, and when your young adult is age 17 ½, contact your county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

Your Young Adult Will Continue to Grow Like most teens and young adults, your young adult will continue to grow and develop new skills and interests. As these change you and your young adult can find new activities and connect with new agencies or organizations to add to their social connections.

Explore New Areas to Get More Involved in the Community

Health and Wellness Think about adaptive fitness programs, sports leagues, or other ways to get regular exercise. One option in some communities is Special Olympics Wisconsin programs that offer fun ways to connect with others and stay active.

Leisure Activities and Community Connections Your local YMCA or recreation department may offer clubs, arts and crafts, and adaptive programming. Public libraries, service clubs, and local charities often plan activities and volunteer opportunities. Visit your community or local government websites for information.

Culture and Arts Many communities have local theaters, museums and art centers with discounted tickets, free performances, or other programs that adults can participate in with others in the community.

Lifelong Learning Colleges across the state have programs for students with disabilities  and services for students to request accommodations. Some universities have post-secondary programs for students with intellectual and learning disabilities on campus. See Midwest Inclusive Post Secondary Alliance (MIPSA) or thinkcollege.net. ‘Auditing’ a course or sitting in the college classroom to listen without college credit can be a low-cost way to learn a new topic and connect with peers that have a similar interest.

Life Skills Courses for cooking, money management, and staying healthy and safe are good options for everyone. There are online and in-person courses. Check with Independent Living Centers and the Healthy, Safe and Connected Toolkit.

Employment Work let you meet new people, learn new skills, ideas, and connects you to the community. Your young adult’s interests and skills can guide them to a job that is the best fit for them. The Before Age 18: Employment planning guides, your young adult’s high school IEP team, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) can support your young adult’s job skills and career exploration.

Housing If your young adult wants to move out of your home as an adult, there are options like living independently with support, with friends or other adults. Contact your county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) when your young adult is 17 ½ to learn about community-supported living and other housing options. Also, see the Housing for Young Adults fact sheet.

Civic Engagement Is your young adult registered to vote? If your child wants to be politically active, try taking part in the annual Disability Advocacy Day or join a chapter of People First Wisconsin.  Go to Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition to learn more.

Spirituality and Faith Your adult child can stay involved or become connected to a house of faith or spiritual community. Many faith communities offer activities, outings, and clubs to get to know other members. Your house of faith may have a website with event information. If not, drop by their office.

Relationships and Sexuality Like their peers, your young adult might want to date, find a long-term partner, or even get married. Resources are available to learn about healthy and respectful relationships. Visit Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Health and Development Resources for Families for toolkits on healthy bodies, puberty, sex and sexuality, as well as many other topics related to transitioning to adult healthcare. 

Where to Learn More

• • • Healthy, Safe, and Connected is a toolkit that offers simple ways to be sure you know how to do all three. wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Healthy_Safe_Connected_V08.22.pdf
    • Pacer Center has resources and links to learn about independence and community living. pacer.org/guides/education-work-housing/ewh-400/

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network, 877-WiscWay (877-947-2929): Wisconsin Wayfinder offers families one name and phone number to find services for young adults with special health care needs. Wayfinder connects you to a resource guide at one of the five Children’s Resource Centers in your area.

If you need this fact sheet as a pdf or other format contact Lynn at lynn@fvofwi.org.