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Parents of students with disabilities should begin thinking about transition (planning for adulthood) as early as possible. The road to adulthood for youth with disabilities is filled with opportunity, and parents play a key role.  If you have any questions regarding transition opportunities, please contact the Pupil Services department at 262-495-7101 ext. 2214.  The following resources can assist a family with starting the transition process.

Helpful Resources

Department of Public Instruction
Information from the Department of Public Instruction on transition services for students with disabilities

Transition Improvement Grant
Information for teachers and parents on transition services and resources in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Interagency-Transition Action Guide
This Technical Assistance Guide (TAG) was developed to assist in the improvement of communication, coordination, and services for students with disabilities transitioning from school to work. It was designed to be useful for all persons and agencies (stakeholders) involved in the transition process. This document will vary depending upon the stakeholder?s needs at the time of use.

Waisman Center, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Many resources for youth transition including Transition Health Care Checklist: Preparing for Life as an Adult, Transition Skills Checklist, The Workbook for Youth and more.

YiPPE: Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment
YiPPE is a group of youth and their parents who meet together five times during the year. They will hear from speakers and take part in hands-on activities in parallel programs centered around transition. While some topics may overlap, parents will be able to enjoy their own sessions while their youth are learning similar information in a youth-friendly format. Reservations, food, overnight stay and resources are paid for with a DPI IDEA Discretionary Grant, Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI).

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is a state agency that helps people with disabilities find, keep, and get better jobs. DVR services are individualized for each person and listed in their Plan for Employment (IPE). The IPE is created by the individual, involved family members, and their DVR Counselor.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Jefferson County, WI
Click on ?Long Term Care and Support? to find information about services and programs for people with developmental/intellectual disabilities.

National Resource Center for Supported Decision Making Support
This online center has a wealth of resources on decision making for adults with disabilities and older adults.

Guardianship and Alternatives for Decision Making Support
A fact sheet developed by Got Transition.

The Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc. (GWaar)
Information on guardianship including children transitioning to adulthood.

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is working to help more families use Supported Decision-Making tools and resources to decrease the number of unnecessary guardianships, while addressing concerns around safety and access to information. This guide provides important information about empowering individuals with disabilities to make informed decisions about their life that protect both their rights while ensuring their safety and privacy. (Click on Resources/Publications/Supported Decision-Making Guide)

WI FACETS
WI FACETS provides several types of services to help Wisconsin parents and educators support and enrich the lives of children with disabilities. WI FACETS is committed to assisting youth and young adults develop leadership and self-advocacy skills so that they may lead productive, meaningful adult lives. We offer several programs for transition aged youth and their families. For more information on youth leadership opportunities, call toll-free 1-877-374-0511 and speak with the Transition Coordinator.

WiTransition App
This is a free app that will help create a Postsecondary Transition Plan (PTP). It was designed for students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs), but anyone can use it. The app can be downloaded on Google Play or on ITunes by following this link.

Family Voices of Wisconsin
Family Voices of Wisconsin helps families who have children and youth with disabilities and/or special health care needs navigate health care and community supports. Our work focuses in three areas: education and information, family leadership activities and, public policy and systems change. (For information on transitions, click on Training/What?s After High School).

Independent Living Centers
Need help finding a personal care attendant? Looking for advice or support from someone with the same disability as you? Want to find an accessible form of recreation? All this and much more is available at your local Independent Living Center. Independent living centers (ILCs) provide assistance to people with all kinds of disabilities. These agencies were created to promote independence and self-determination for individuals, as well as to offer support and information to families and communities. Services provided by ILCs include: peer support, information and referral, independent living skills training, coordination of personal care and other services, advocacy and community education.