Transitional
Geauga DD has compiled the following guide for families and guardians to use during an individual’s transition from high school to postsecondary education and/or employment. This guide contains suggested steps that can be taken and resources that can be utilized throughout the process.
Geauga DD, the ESC of the Western Reserve, and Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium (CEVEC) collaborated to provide educational services to school-age children who receive special education services through their local school districts.
PRIOR TO AGE 16
- The Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (OEDI) is completed at age 16 to allow county board services to continue.
- Geauga DD will only attend an IEP meeting if invited by the family or school district. If the school invites Geauga DD, the family must give their permission.
AGE 16
- Assign a Service and Support Administrator (SSA) to eligible individuals.
- Identify the individual’s intended adult outcomes for employment, continued education/training and independent living.
- Develop a transition plan as part of the individual’s IEP.
- Refer to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) for employment services and supports.
AGE 17
- Prepare documents related to power of attorney for health care, financial planning, guardianship and estate planning.
- Learn more about services that are available to the individual such as postsecondary education, employment, transportation and adult living options available in your community.
AGE 18
- Apply for guardianship (if appropriate).
- Discuss available resources:
– Social Security (SSI/SSDI) – Medicaid
– Waiver - Register for Selective Service if you are a male. • Register to vote.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Transitional youth are expected to engage in activities that will prepare them for community employment as supported by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities’ (DODD) Employment First Rule.
- If the IEP team identifies the need for vocational habilitation, the youth must be referred to OOD.
- Youth not wanting vocational programming may tour adult day habilitation sites with the support of their SSA. A referral to OOD is not required to participate.
- To help pay for summer vocational support, funds may be available through the Family Home Based Services program.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, with more than 4.5 million athletes in 170 countries and millions more volunteers and supporters. It is also a global social movement.
Special Olympics contributes to the physical, social, and psychological development of all participating athletes. Through successful experiences in sports, they gain confidence and build a positive self-image that carries over into their homes, jobs, and communities. At Geauga DD, every athlete’s goal is to be a good sport, do their best in every activity, make new friends and have fun.
Geauga DD Special Olympics teams include volleyball, track and field, soccer, softball, individual and team bowling, swimming, basketball, and golf. Approximately 120 athletes currently participate on these teams.
If you or your loved one would like to sign up for a Special Olympics team, please contact Bonnie Veleba at Bonnie@metzenbaumfdn.org.
MISSION
The mission of Special Olympics Ohio is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy, as well as participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
WINTER SPORTS
Swimming
December – February. Practice is normally at Wembley Club in Bainbridge. The area event is at the beginning of November and the State meet is in the middle of December.
Basketball
October – February. There are many games scheduled against other organizations throughout the season. The playoffs take place at the end of February. If Metzenbaum Center athletes win, they proceed to the State Championship at the end of March.
SPRING SPORTS
Individual Bowling
February – April. Practices are held at Ernst Lanes. The area event takes place in May.
Team Bowling
February – April. A team consists of two or four players. The state meet for this sport is the end of October. Practices are held at Ernst Lanes.
Volleyball
March – May. It is slightly modified so that the ball is bigger and softer and the server may move into the court to serve the ball. The area event is at the beginning of May.
Track and Field
March – May. There are all sorts of events that are offered, including walking, running, wheelchair competition, softball throw, long jump, and relays. The area event is at the beginning of May.
SUMMER SPORTS
Golf
June – July. This is a unified sport, meaning each athlete is paired up with a partner from the community. They use one ball and will alternate shots until the ball is holed out. The area event is at the beginning of August in Olmstead Falls.
Softball
July – September. A team consists of no more than 15 players. Games are scheduled against other teams throughout the season. The area event is held in August and the State event takes place in the middle of September.
Soccer
July – September. The games are played with two teams consisting of five players each with one player as goalkeeper.