Coming Together and Moving Forward: Supporting Integrated, Community-Based Transition in Kansas

Transition services and supports currently offered to youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by school systems and health systems are challenging and difficult to both understand and navigate. The current systems are permeated with fragmented services and varying eligibility requirements often leaving youth and young adults with ID/DD unprepared for community living. Improvements in the transition process and services are needed to improve coordination of supports across a wide range of services including health care, social supports, leisure, career guidance, housing, education, financial literacy, and employment to better support youth and adults transitioning to community living.

Understanding the need for youth transition services to improve Congress appropriated additional funds to the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service program for a grant program to be administered by the Administration on Disabilities, ACL, HHS.

For decades, UCEDDs have trained university students, practicing professionals, direct service providers, and policy makers in meeting the needs of individuals of all ages with ID/DD. They have launched a range of clinical services such as dental health, behavioral health, adult literacy, and pediatric care. Additionally, UCEDDs have made significant contributions through research to improve the quality of life for youth and adults with ID/DD. Furthermore, UCEDDs work on the issue of transition for youth and adults with ID/D. They are experienced at working with non-profit, community-based service provider organizations. With this additional funding, UCEDDs will be able to improve transition practices. UCEDDs are in a unique position to advance promising practices leading to better transition experiences for youth and adults with ID/DD.

AoD seeks to fund up to ten planning grants for existing UCEDDs to convene partnerships in states that will develop plans to ensure community integration, through the creation of sustainable, high quality, community-based transition pilots, for youth and adults[i]i with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).

[i]Youth and Adults includes individuals with ID/DD from ages 14 through adulthood.