Preparing for Life After Graduation? Steps to Take During the Winter Months

Turning 21 can be a big milestone for people with disabilities because it signals the end of school-based services and the transition to adult services. While June might seem a long time away, there are important things to do now during the winter months so you’re well-prepared for graduation and life afterward. The transition to adult services is a great time to begin building a person-centered life in one’s community, and the Community Living Education Project is here to assist individuals and families in New Jersey understand community living and put it into practice. Community living is not just where a person lives, but how they live. 

CLEP team members are available to assist individuals and families in determining what community living looks like for each person and how to put it into practice. This website has extensive educational resources, including on Transitioning to Adult Services.  Whether you’re looking to just become more informed or need more individualized assistance, we’re here to help. If you haven't already, check out our article on steps to take during the fall months, then continue below to make sure you're on-track through the winter.

Winter Transition Planning

The winter months are a great time to think about how life can look after graduation. Don’t be afraid to dream! Learn about person-centered planning and think about the type of life you want to create for yourself or someone you support. The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and the Arc of New Jersey have a Person-Centered Planning Tool that can help you think about what might be possible and what is needed to get there.

Another suggestion is to become familiar with different service providers in your area. The DDD has a Provider Search Database to help you connect with providers nearby, as does Easter Seals, and Acumen offers a NJ Community Vendor Directory.

You’ll want to think about Support Coordination and become informed about what that is. All adults receiving services from DDD are required to have a support coordinator to create an Individual Service Plan (ISP).  You should begin to research specific support coordination agencies and think about which ones will be your first and second choice. It is important to find a good match because this agency will be an important part of life after graduation. You’ll complete the Support Coordination Agency Selection Form when you apply for DDD eligibility, submitted no later than March.

If it hasn’t been done already, individuals will complete the NJ Comprehensive Assessment Tool (NJCAT) through the DDD.  The NJCAT evaluates the need for support in three main areas: self-care, behavioral, and medical. The results also establish the individual’s tier, which determines the annual budgets that will be available for services.

Have questions about the steps you should be taking or need someone to run ideas by? Contact us! We're here to help.