Helping People Live, Learn and Earn in Our Community
Transitional
The Geauga County Board of Developmental Disabilities 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.
The Metzenbaum Center, 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 County Board of Developmental Disabilities (GCBDD) will only attend an IEP meeting if invited by the family or school district. If the school invites GCBDD, 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.
RESOURCES:
Ohio Eligibility Determination Instrument (OEDI) | www.dodd.ohio.gov
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities | www.ood.ohio.gov
STABLE Account | www.stableaccount.com
Guardianship: Probate Court of Geauga County | www.co.geauga.oh.us/commonpleas/Probate | 440.279.1830
IEP Planning | www.education.ohio.gov
Disability Rights Ohio | www.disabilityrightsohio.org | 1.800.282.9181
Social Security | www.ssa.gov/disability | 1.800.772.1213
Medicaid | jfs.ohio.gov/ohp | 1.800.324.8680
Employment First | www.ohioemploymentfirst.org
ADAMHS Board | www.geauga.org | 440.285.2282