|
St.
Louis Transition Council TOWARD SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION A Checklist for the First 21 Years Written by Jean Brokaw and Margaret Lewis, Updated November 2008 |
St Louis Checklist Table of Contents:
Return to Homepage |
To Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities…
It is our hope that as parents you will always consider yourselves the experts on your child. We hope that as you seek information, help, and guidance, you will see your child in "people first" terms - initially as a baby to love and nurture, then as a child to raise for as independent a life as he or she can attain. Whatever the disability involved, remember it is only a part of your child's individuality. Build on his or her strengths. High expectations are a keynote in a family's daring to act bravely and creatively.
You may want to
review these recommendations periodically, and add to or revise them to fit your specific circumstances.
Copy this checklist booklet freely and without restriction.
o Contact a family
support group--an
invaluable network and source for information and ideas.
Resources:
o Missouri Network of Care –
Family-to-Family Network
stlouis.mo.networkofcare.org/dd/home/family-to-family-network 314-966-4670
o Alliance for the Mentally Ill - NAMI St. Louis, MO
www.namistl.org 314-966-4670
o Family Support Network
www.familysupportnet.org 314-644-5055
Provides assistance for families who have a member with a disability.
o Judevine Center for Autism
http://judevine.org 314-432-6200
o Missouri Developmental Disabilities
Resource Center
www.moddrc.org 1-800-444-0821
o Missouri Planning Council for
Developmental Disabilities
www.mpcdd.com 1-800-500-7878
o Talk with other
families
who have a child with a disability, including those with a
child older than yours, as they may have experiences from which you could
benefit.
Resource:
o MPACT
(Missouri Parents Act)
Parent-to-parent connection program
www.ptimpact.com
o Sharing Our
Strengths (SOS) Support Matching Network
www.sharingourstrengths.com 1-800-773-8652
o Contact Regional
Center
to determine your child's eligibility for services as soon
as your child has been identified as "at risk" for having a
disability. Regional Center is a
state-funded agency that will coordinate services that your child and you might
need. Registration can be a lengthy
process. Once registered, it is
important to keep in touch with your case manager to keep your case active.
o St. Louis Regional Center for the
Developmentally Disabled
www.dmh.missouri.gov Network of Care:
St. Louis County, 211 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-340-6500
St. Louis
City, 111 N. 7th St., 6th
floor, St. Louis, MO 63101,
314-244-8800
St. Charles County, 119 Olympic Way, St. Peters, MO 63376, 636-926-1200
Ask for the Intake Department. A family
member must make the call, not a teacher or advocate.
Gather the following information:
· Your child's name and address
·
Your child's Social Security
Number
·
Your child's Medicaid Number (if
any)
·
Names of doctors, hospitals or
clinics that have seen your child
·
The last school you child attended
·
Any vocational training received
·
Whether your child receives SSI
·
Whether or not you can be reached
by phone
o City
Residents: Contact Project Casefind through the St. Louis City DD Resources for
help with the application process
314-421-0090
o Get medical and
educational evaluations. They are important to identify
your child's strengths and needs.
o Begin
therapy/intervention at the earliest age possible.
Resources:
o First Steps Program, Birth to age 3
Early intervention services for children
www.mofirststeps.com 314-993-3400
o Explore school
options--both public and private. Examine possibilities of integration and
inclusion.
Resources:
o St. Louis County
residents: Contact your local school district when your child is 2 years, 9
months old for a free evaluation. Your
child must be referred from your local school
to the St. Louis County Special School District. Some local districts have their own Early Childhood programs.
o St. Louis City residents: Contact the Office of Special Education when your child is 2 years, 6 months old to set up an appointment for an evaluation: 314- 633-5300 ~ www.slps.org
o Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). There are income and eligibility requirements, but it may be worthwhile to apply.
Under age 18, child's eligibility is
based on parent's income.
Over age 18, self-eligibility.
Resource:
o Social
Security Administration
www.ssa.gov 1-800-772-1213
o Take your child out into the community. (restaurants, shopping, errands, entertainment, library, church, vacations.) This is an excellent way for your child to learn appropriate behavior and just to have fun.
Resource:
o St.
Louis Kids Magazine, listing attractions in St. Louis
www.stlouiskidsmagazine.com
o Talk to your child
about various jobs in the community.
o Participate in
Community-Based Instruction.
o Encourage your child
to make choices and decisions.
o Encourage your child
to volunteer in the community.
o Attend workshops on
assertiveness and advocacy training. Parents
generally are their child's best advocate.
There are advocacy agencies in the community available to help you with
particular challenges.
Resources:
o DESE
- Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
http://dese.mo.gov 1-
o MPACT
(Missouri Parents Act)
www.ptimpact.com
o Family
Services and Diversity of Special School District
Information on current seminars, workshops, conferences and upcoming events
www.ssd.k12.mo.us 314-989-8438 314-989-8108 314-989-8194
o Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
4232 Forest Park Ave., St. Louis,
MO 63108
www.mobar.org 1-
o Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services
no-charge individual advocacy assistance when human rights are violated.
www.moadvocacy.org 1-
o Office for Civil Rights
www.ed.gov/offices/OCR 1-800-872-5327
o Partners in Policymaking in Systems Change
www.partnersinpolicymaking.com
o Get on mailing lists of organizations for persons with disabilities.
Resources: (Missouri)
o MPACT
(Missouri Parents Act)
www.ptimpact.com
o Governor’s
Council on Disability
www.disabilityinfo.mo.gov 1-800-877-8249
o St. Louis ARC
1816 Lackland Hill Parkway - Suite 200
www.slarc.org 314-569-2211
Brochures available describing services and activities
o Life Skills
1176 Corporate Square Drive - Suite 100
www.lifeskills-stl.org 314-567-7705
Serves persons with developmental disabilities with a major focus on adults.
o MO-TASH (Missouri Chapter - The
Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps)
http://www.tash.org/chapters/mo
Brochures available describing services and activities
Contact the Governor’s Council for information on MO-TASH: 1-800-877-8249
o Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis
200 S. Hanley Rd., St. Louis, MO 63105
314-726-6044 County residents
314-772-2299 City residents
636-477-7704 St. Charles County residents
http://stlouis.missouri.org/reccouncil
Free quarterly newsletters online
o College for Living - Paraquad
www.paraquad.org 314-289-4200
Classes for people with developmental disabilities age 18 and older, plus
Community Education
o APSE-MO (Missouri Chapter of the
Association for Persons in Supported Employment)
www.apsemo.org
o PLB (Productive Living Board for St. Louis
County Citizens with Developmental Disabilities)
121 Hunter Ave - Suite 200
www.plboard.com 314-726-2606
Newsletter: "PLB Update"
o DD Resources (St. Louis City Office for
Developmental Disability Resources)
Service Coordination Available
www.mrdd.org 314-421-0090
o Missouri Planning Council
P.O. Box 687
www.mpcdd.com 1-800-500-7878
Resources: (Out-of-State)
o Beach Center on Families and Disability
1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045-7534
www.beachcenter.org 1-785-864-7600
o Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on
Developmental Disabilities
370 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
www.mncdd.org 1-615-296-4018
o National Information Center for Children
P.O. Box 1492
www.nichcy.org 1-800-695-0285
Free periodicals including a semi-annual "Transition Summary"
o Pacer Center, Inc
www.pacer.org 1-952-838-9000
Newsletter: "Pacesetter"
o PEAK Parent Center, Inc
www.peakparent.org 1-719-531-9400
Newsletter: "SPEAKOUT"
o Become familiar with
local resource libraries
o St.
Louis County Library
1640 South Lindbergh Blvd.
http://webpac.slcl.org 314-994-3300
Books, periodicals and videos for families of individuals with developmental
disabilities.
An annotated bibliography is available at all branches.
o St.
Louis Public Library
1301 Olive
http://webpac.slcl.org 314-241-2288
o Family
and Community Resource Center
St. Louis County Special School District
Central Administrative Offices
12110 Clayton Rd.
http://www.ssd.k12.mo.us/Parents/fcrc 314-989-8108
Books, videos, awareness materials, newsletters, & pamphlets.
Many take-home materials available for free.
o Subscribe to
pertinent publications. There are a number of publications
focusing on specific disabilities. One
magazine that can be helpful for families of a child with any developmental
disability is:
o Exceptional Parent
P.O. Box 2079
www.eparent.com
o Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Parent Division
1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300
www.cec.sped.org 1-888-232-7733
o Access respite care. A generous number of respite care hours are
free to city and county residents, regardless of income. Respite care services are available in your
home, in the provider's home, in residential centers, or in daytime centers.
Resources:
o St. Louis Respite Care Coalition
Free pamphlet listing the various agencies that provide respite care
www.slarc.org/programs/arch 314-569-0247 (ARCH Office)
o City Residents: You must have a Regional Center case manager in order to access respite care. If you don't have a case manager and need crisis intervention or general information, call the St. Louis Office of DD Resources at 314-421-0090
o Attend workshops on
IEP planning.
Resources:
o St. Louis City
Public Schools
Contact your school counselor or resource teacher at your local school for
workshop offerings and resource directory
314- 633-5300 ~ www.slps.org
o St.
Louis County Special School District
www.ssd.k12.mo.us 314-989-8100
o Office
for DD Resources Education Advocate
www.mrdd.org 314-421-0090 Ask for the Education Coach
o Go to your child's
IEP with your own specific goals tailored to his/her
needs. Invite knowledgeable, supportive advocates. such as your Regional Center
case manager, parent advocate, family friend, or student peer who is
non-disabled.
Books for additional insight:
·
The Complete IEP guide : How To Advocate
For Your Special Ed. Child.
By Lawrence Siegel, 1998
· The IEP – A Tool for Realizing Possibilities. PEAK Parent Center video, 1998.
o Begin estate
planning. Keep your will/trust
up-to-date. Keep current with related federal and state legislation. Be certain
your attorney is aware of current legal precedents impacting persons with
disabilities (e.g., Tidrow trust). Do some good basic reading on estate
planning prior to visiting your lawyer.
Books for additional
insight:
·
How To Protect Your Challenged
Child.
By Margaret C. Jasper, 2005
·
Met Desk: Planning for Special Needs (www.metlife.com)
· Future Planning - a free download, www.thearc.org – found under “Publications, Other”
o Give your child
responsibilities at home to foster personal
self-care, cooking and laundry skills, as well as job-related skills.
o Encourage your child
to use technology and assistive technology. Fo
o Encourage and reinforce your child's friendships and social networks.]
Books for additional insight:
·
Circles of Friends: People with
Disabilities and Their Friends Enrich the Lives of One Another.
Robert Perski. Abingdon Press, 1988.
· Breaking Bread, Nourishing Connections : People With And Without Disabilities Together At Mealtime. By Karin Melberg Schwier And Erin Schwier Stewart, 2005
·
Connecting Students: A Guide to
Thoughtful Friendship Facilitation for Educators and Families.
C. Beth Schaffner and Barbara E. Buswell. PEAK Parent Center, Inc., 1992. (To
order, call 1-800-284-0251. Cost $9.50, shipping included)
·
Friends: A Manual for Connecting
Persons with Disabilities and Community Members.
1990. Available through Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on Developmental
Disabilities. Call 1-612-296-4018.
·
Learning Disabilities &
Social Skills with Rick Lauvie: Last One Picked…First One Picked On.
PBS video, 1994.
· Understanding your child's puzzling behavior : a guide for parents of children with behavioral, social, and learning challenges, by Steven E. Curtis, 2008
o Explore weekend and
summer activities
to promote independence; camp can be a valuable experience.
o Foster good general
health and physical activity, which
develop stamina for the extended work world.
For all three of the
above recommendations, contact the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis and
request a copy of their free "Guide to Leisure Services," which gives
a comprehensive, descriptive listing of recreation activities in the St. Louis
area. Services listed comprise both
those specifically designed for people with disabilities, as well as programs
for the general public that include people with disabilities.
Resource:
o Recreation
Council of Greater St. Louis
http://stlouis.missouri.org/reccouncil
o Give an allowance.
Begin banking, budgeting and purchasing experiences.
o Make time to tutor
your child at home. Stress reading, time-telling,
money, and math skills as possible. Read to the child who can't read.
o Be attentive to the
needs of your other children as well.
Resources:
o Sibling Support Project
www.siblingsupport.org
Listing of local “Sib Shops” that address the issues of siblings without
disabilities
Books for additional insight:
·
Being the other one : growing up
with a brother or sister who has special needs by Kate Strohm, 2005
·
The sibling slam book : what it's
really like to have a brother or sister with special needs Woodbine House, 2005.
·
Beyond the stares : a personal
journal for siblings of children with disabilities, Delta Gamma Center for
Children with Visual Impairments, 2003.
(In addition, see all
previous recommendations)
o Begin formal personal
futures planning. Set preliminary goals for
supported employment, socialization, and supported independent living.
Books for additional insight:
· It's Never Too Early, It's Never Too Late: A Booklet for Personal Futures Planning. Beth Mount and Kay Zwernik. 1989. A free copy is available from:
·
Preparing children with
disabilities for life Robert E. Cimera, 2003.
·
Guiding teens with learning
disabilities : navigating the transition from high school to adulthood, by, Arlyn J. Roffman, 2008.
·
Adolescents on the autism spectrum
: a parent's guide to the cognitive, social, physical and transition needs of
teenagers with autism spectrum disorders, by Chantal Sicile-Kira,
2006.
o Be sure your child
has begun to learn community access skills, such as using public
telephone, public transportation, community recreation, ordering from a menu,
locating public restrooms, keeping safe.
o Prepare your child for social/sexual development. Know that your son or daughter will not be a child forever and prepare to give understanding and support.
Books for additional insight:
· Changes in You by Peggy Siegel. (Boys and girls versions, written with children with disabilities in mind). Family Life Education Associates, 1991
· Just Say Know! Talking to Kids about Drugs & Alcohol, by Cynthia Kuhn, 2002.
· Sexuality: Your Sons and Daughters with Intellectual Disabilities. Karin Melberg Schwier & Dave Hingsburger, 2000.
Videotapes: www.stanfield.com
· Circles. Videotapes regarding safe behavior and relationships for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. James Stanfield Publishing.
·
Child Sexual Abuse: A Solution Videotapes for parents, teachers and children
K-6. James Stanfield Publishing.
(In addition, see all
previous recommendations)
o Prepare for the
Transition Plan, a component of the IEP. Set specific,
individual goals of substance. For a copy of the Federal Law mandating
that transition be included in the IEP, visit the DESE website at http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced, or call
573-751-4212 and request “Special Education, A Parent’s Guide”
o Include community-based vocational instruction in the Transition Plan of the IEP. Look into natural supports. If none of the existing programs meets your child's needs, consider designing a volunteer, job training, and work experience programs, and ask the service provider agencies to implement your idea.
Resources:
o Special School
District of St Louis County Transition Programs
www.ssd.k12.mo.us 314-989-8100
o St.
Louis Public Schools Office of Special Education
Books for additional insight:
·
Directory of resources for Missourians
with disabilities, Governor's Council on Disability,
2005
o Monitor the Transition
Plan and the IEP. Frequently
re-evaluate and revise as necessary.
o Attend workshops on
transition. Learn what options are currently
available, as well as what new, cutting-edge ideas are being tried in other
parts of the country.
Resources:
o Special School District of St. Louis County
Family Services and Diversity
Holds educational workshops
o St. Louis Public Schools
Talk to your resource teacher or school counselor
o DESE, Transition Trainings
http://dese.mo.gov/divspeced
Informative publications:
"Transition
Planning: A Team Guide"
P.O. Box 1492
www.nichcy.org
o Investigate summer
volunteer experience. Use your imagination to come up with summer volunteer
opportunities, which are valuable job training for your teenager. Hospitals, adult day care centers and child
day care centers are among the possibilities.
In some cases a family member or other non-professional may need to
"job coach" the young adult at the beginning or for the entire time.
Resource:
o St. Louis ARC.
“Neighborhood Experiences”
one-to-one community service project for ages 13-21
www.slarc.org 314-569-2215
o Look into summer work
experience beginning at age 16. Most summer jobs expect the applicant
to have basic job skills. Some offer
job skill training.
Resources:
o Summer Work Experience Programs (SWEP)
For youths between the ages of 16 and 21
Contact JESS at 314-644-1913 www.jessinc.org
o St.
Louis Agency on Training & Employment (SLATE)
www.stlworks.com 314-589-8000
o Apply for a Missouri
ID card or driver's license at a Missouri License Bureau Office
at age 16.
o Explore service
providers for adults to see what options exist for both employment
and residential living. Contact your
Regional Center case manager for a complete listing of adult service providers
for both employment and residential living. Start making calls and visiting
providers. Begin developing your own on-going assessment of what is and is not
available. Keep notes on names and
phone numbers as you continue to build a network. Talk to experienced parents.
Resources:
There are many adult service
agencies. Some of the major providers
are listed below in alphabetical order:
Visit these websites to get a list of funded agencies: www.plboard.com www.mrdd.org www.ddrb.org
E = EMPLOYMENT
R= RESIDENTIAL
W = SHELTERED WORKSHOP
C = DAY PROGRAM/COMMUNITY INTEGRATION
S = SCHOOL PROGRAMS
C Association on Aging and Developmental
Disabilities
www.agingwithdd.org 314-647-8100
R Bridges Community Support
Services
http://bridgescss.com 314-781-7900
W Canterbury Enterprises
www.canterburyent.org 314-961-2949
C,
S Center for Head Injury Services
www.headinjuryctr-stl.org 314-983-9230
R Children’s Home Society
www.chsmo.com 314-968-2350
S,
E, C College for Living
www.paraquad.org 314-289-4200
E Community Alternatives of Missouri
www.rescare.com 314-994-3033
C Delta Gamma Center for Children
with Vision Impairments
www.dgckids.org 317-776-1300
C,
R Easter Seals
http://mo.easterseals.com 1-800-664-5025
or 636-227-6030
R, S Edgewood Children’s Center
www.eccstl.org 314-968-2060
E,
R Epilepsy Foundation
www.epilepsyfoundation.org/stlouis 314-645-6969
C Oasis St. Louis
www.oasisnet.org 314-220-2827
R Housing Options Provides for the
Elderly (HOPE)
314-776-0155
W Industrial Aid
www.industrialaid.com 314-773-3200
W Lafayette Industries
www.lafayetteindustries.com 636-227-5666
E Jess (Jobs & Employment
Support Services)
www.jessinc.org 314-644-1913
E,
R Judevine Center for Autism
www.judevine.org 314-385-5373
E,
C, R Life Skills
www.lifeskills-stl.org 314-567-7705
R
www.magdalafoundation.org 314-652-6004
E MERS/Goodwill Industries
www.mersgoodwill.org 314-241-3464
C Pathways to Independence
www.pathways2independence.com 314-863-0202
W Project, Inc.
www.projectinc.org 314-647-3300
E,
C, R St. Louis ARC
www.slarc.org 314-569-2215
C,
S St. Louis Society
www.stlsociety.org 314-989-1188
C,
R Sunnyhill, Inc (formerly CEC)
www.cecstl.org 314-845-3900
E,
C, R UCPA (United Cerebral Palsy
Assn.)
www.ucpstl.org 314-994-1600
W Valley Industries Workshops
www.valleyind.net 314-389-7072
C,
R Willows Way
www.willowsway.org 636-947-6591
W W.A.C.
www.wacindustries.com 314-631-8300
W Worth Industries
http://worthindustries.com 314-231-6600
C YMCA of Greater St. Louis
www.ymcastlouis.org 314-962-5979
o Encourage your young
adult to explore self-advocacy to learn how to speak for him or
herself, to make decisions, solve problems and to contribute to the community.
10 Steps to Independence: Promoting Self-Determination in the Home. This material was developed by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs and was awarded to the ARC (formerly known as Association for Retarded Citizens of the U.S.)
1. Allow your son or daughter to explore his or her world.
2. Children need to learn that what they say or do is important and can have influence on others.
3. Self-worth and self-confidence are critical factors in the development of self-determination.
4. Stress that everyone is individual, encourage your child's unique abilities and help him or her accept unavoidable limitation.
5. Recognize the process of reaching goals. Don't just emphasize outcomes. Children need to learn to work toward goals.
6. Schedule opportunities for interactions with children of different ages and backgrounds.
7. Set realistic but ambitious expectations. Take an active role in your child's educational experience.
8. Allow your child to take responsibility for his or her own actions, both successes and failures. Providing explanations provides the opportunity for the child to internalize the results.
9. Take every opportunity to allow your child to make choices. Make sure that these choice opportuniti4es are meaningful.'
10. Provide honest, positive feedback. Focus on the behavior or task that needs to be changed.
Resource:
o People First, self-advocacy support group
www.missouripeoplefirst.org
People First,
St. Louis Chapter c/o Paraquad,
College for Living
(In addition, see all
previous recommendations)
o Apply for
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid and/or Medicare.
Eligibility is based on child's income only.
Resource:
o Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov 1-800-772-1213
o Make arrangements for your young adults to register to vote.
Resource:
o Board
of Election Commissioners
County: 314-615-1800 http://www.slcl.org/services/voter.htm
o Make arrangements for
your son to register for the draft.
Resource:
o U.S. Selective Service www.sss.gov 1- 847-688-6888
Register
for the Draft: It's Still the Law
o Make education on-going; Continue reading to the child who can't read. Explore continuing education programs, technical training colleges, community colleges, and college programs with resources to support students with disabilities.
Resources:
o College
for Living
www.paraquad.org 314-589-4200
Functional classes for students with developmental disabilities, and inclusion
program where students access adult programs with a volunteer buddy at
community education centers.
o St. Louis Community
Colleges, Access Office
Continuing
Education Credit
Florissant Valley 314-984-7704 314-595-4551
Forest Park 314-984-7704 314-644-9039
Meramec 314-984-7704 314-984-7673
Provides accommodations for students with
disabilities who wish to enroll in the existing credit program or non-credit
continuing education classes.
o Keep in touch with
your Regional Center case manager and make sure your case is active.
Invite your case manager to IEP and transition plan meetings. Discuss plans for
your young adult's future and gather as much specific information about
transition to adult life from your case manager as possible.
o Revisit service providers for adults to see what new options exist for employment and residential living.
Some major service providers are listed on previous pages. Contact your Regional Center case manager for a complete listing or visit www.plboard.com (St. Louis County) or www.mrdd.org (St. Louis City) for additional resources.
o Request that work
experience be a major component of the IEP.
o Become familiar with
the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (often referred to as DVR, VR, or Voc
Rehab). Apply for services a full year
before your adult leaves school. Other
office locations are listed in the blue pages of the telephone book under
"Government Office, State."
o Vocational
Rehabilitation, West Office, Transition Services ~ http://dese.mo.gov/vr
9900 Page Ave St. Louis, MO 63132 314-877-1500
o Learn about the implications and levels of guardianship. Full or limited guardianship is not for every family. Talk with parents who have dealt with the issue of guardianship. Get perspectives from both sides. Once guardianship is granted, it is not easy to reverse.
See
books for additional information listed under "Estate Planning"
section
o Check on health
insurance coverage for your child. See if your son or
daughter can continue to be covered under your policy. Some insurance companies
require an application for a dependent child with a disability to be submitted
before the child reaches age 19.
o One or two years before graduation, initiate or update future plan with school.
(In addition, see all previous recommendations)
o Check with Regional
Center to be sure you case is active. Discuss which
adult service agencies your child will be utilizing and make contact with those
agencies to enroll in service or open an active file.
o Contact the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Apply for a counselor and make arrangements for assessments. Determination of eligibility can take 60 days, and assessments can take up to six months.
Resource:
o Vocational
Rehabilitation, West Office, Transition Services ~ http://dese.mo.gov/vr
9900 Page Ave St. Louis,
MO 63132 314-877-1500
Other office locations are listed in
the blue pages of the telephone book under "Government Office, State."
o Invite your DVR
counselor to attend your child's IEP. Ask for
input and discuss work options.
o Choose a vocational
training or supported employment agency with the help
of your DVR counselor. Begin the process toward job development which can take
a year or more.
o Brainstorm for
possible job leads. Use your family, friends,
business associated and your child's futures planning group. Network with the
community contacts as you take an active role in job development for your child.
o Investigate
transportation options. Learn about bus
training and other options such as Call-a-Ride. Check with your Regional Center
case manager for options to help you plan appropriate options for your child.
Resources:
o Metro
St. Louis, Para-Transit Services
www.metrostlouis.org 314-982-1510
o St. Louis Society
www.stlsociety.org 314-989-1188
o Continue to increase independence and interdependence through socialization activities.
Resource:
o Recreation
Council of Greater St. Louis
http://stlouis.missouri.org/reccouncil 314-726-6044
o Continue to plan for future residential placement, either supported or independent living. Families need to continue to take an active, assertive role in exploring what options are available by checking out agencies that offer residential services, and in coming up with creative solutions to individual situations.
Take advantage of the networks you have been building with other parents and advocates through support groups, schools, etc. Talk both with parents who have already found residential answers for their children and with those who are in the process of exploring various options.
Talk seriously with your own immediate and extended family about visions, goals, and practical steps toward the continuing journey on the road of transition. Include your young adult with a disability in the discussions.
A note to families of individuals
needing residential living arrangements with 24-hour "protective
oversight":
All community placement programs are funded by the Department of Mental Health. Funding is limited for these services. Critical and emergency cases take precedence for placement and there are often more critical cases than funds to cover them.
In spite of these statistics, it is a good idea to talk to your Regional Center case manager about community placement. Continue to stay in contact with your case manager in case an unexpected emergency does occur.
Your case manager can also be a resource for social services that can make living at home easier for your child and you.
A note to families of individuals who
need only "planned intermittent support" and have some financial
resources:
You can start with your Regional Center case manager or contact a lead agency directly. Your case manager should have a complete list of agencies. Your young adult will need to be able to live independently with limited assistance, and have a job or other resources to be able to pay all or most of the rent and utilities.
o Hang in there!
Back to Checklist Table of Contents
Return to Transition Council Homepage