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(9.35) How does the transition from school to adult services work?

(9.35) How does the transition from school to adult services work?

A school district must start transition planning for students with developmental disabilities at age 16. Transition planning happens at Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and includes evaluations and goals related to training, further education, employment, and independent living skills.[1]Cal. Education Code section 56345(a)(8). Your school district pays for these transition services for as long as you as you are a student, up to age 22.[2]Cal Education Code sections 56026(c)(4) and 56026.

While regional centers do not typically pay for transition services in your IEP, they do participate in transition planning.[3]Section 4648.55(a). See next question and answer (9.36). You can ask the school to invite your service coordinator to be part of your IEP team to help with transition planning. They can also invite the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) to discuss vocational options. The regional center can help you develop your IEP transition goals and choose services to help you reach those goals. The services you get depend on what you need and want. Your services can be community experiences, job development, and other goals for your life as an adult. You can get training in daily living skills and an evaluation to see what your strengths and abilities are (called a functional vocational evaluation).

References
1 Cal. Education Code section 56345(a)(8).
2 Cal Education Code sections 56026(c)(4) and 56026.
3 Section 4648.55(a).