The regional center must work with the child and family to ensure a smooth transition out of the public school system. You and your child need to decide what to do next and what the IPP needs to include to reach your child’s adult-living goals. But, students 18-22 years old who have not received a regular diploma or certificate of completion from their school district may still need to use special education services. Because the school district is still a generic resource for transition services for these older students, the law says regional centers cannot pay for certain services unless those offered by the school district are not an appropriate substitute. These services are:

• Day programs,
• Vocational education,
• Work services,
• Independent living programs, or
• Mobility training and related transportation services.^[1]Section 4648.55.

See Chapter 9 to learn more about the transition process and how to get the services listed above for people who are 18-22 years old.