The Wisconsin Integrated Transition Planning Project worked to improve transition planning for Wisconsin youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). The Project did this by helping youth with disabilities to get better information about healthcare, education, and employment services. Having access to this information can make the transition to adulthood easier. This project ended in December 2024.
Self advocates, family members, and people who work in education, employment, and healthcare were a part of this project. They worked together to improve and simplify the transition planning process by promoting integrated transition planning.
Integrated transition planning is when youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities or special health care needs, their family members and service providers thoughtfully map out and prepare for the youth’s life as an adult. It integrates planning for the youth’s education, work, and healthcare to achieve their goals as an adult. Ideally, this planning occurs throughout childhood with more focused planning as the child becomes a teen.
Focus Areas
Project Aim
More families and transition-age youth with ID/DD in medically underserved Wisconsin communities receive relevant information and support for integrated transition planning by age 18.
Beliefs
- Include post-secondary education, employment, and healthcare.
- Start discussions and planning early.
- Have high expectations for independent and integrated community living.
- Give equal voice to those who face the most barriers accessing support.
Helping Everyone
The project focused extra attention on helping families who face more barriers in accessing services. Some examples of these barriers include:
- Bias and ableism
- Language and cultural needs that are not met by service providers
- Supports or care providers that are too far away or costly
- Extra challenges to success after high school
Wisconsin Transition Planning Coalition
The Wisconsin Transition Planning Coalition met every other month to provide input on project activities. The group included self-advocates, family members, and people who work in education, employment, and healthcare.