Transition to Adulthood Timeline: Specifically for Nebraskans

Services or contacts to consider:

By age 14

Learn about the transition process and what that means for your child.
Begin to explore teen’s career and independent living goals.
It is suggested that teens be invited to participate in their IEP meetings and that the teams begin Transition Planning, if not already in progress.
A student who receives a certificate at graduation is eligible to continue receiving special education services until receipt of a signed, regular diploma or until the end of the academic year in which they turn age 21.
Obtain Social Security card, if not done previously.

By age 15

Obtain driver permit or State ID, as appropriate.

By age 16

Schools are required to invite students to their IEP meetings.
IEP teams are required to develop Transition Goals with each student in special education, to be reviewed and updated each year.
Graduation plans must be a part of all IEPs for students 16 and over. Students in special education may attend school until the end of the academic year in which they turn age 21. Students may participate in graduation and still be eligible to continue receiving special education services, as long as they have not received a signed diploma.
Begin job training at school sites or in the community.
Explore part-time and summer employment options, if appropriate.
Evaluate the need for disability related benefits and Medicaid vs. competitive employment and employer insurance. Benefit analysis is available through Easter Seals to assist teens in this process of benefits analysis.
Obtain driver’s license, if appropriate.

By age 17

Make graduation plans or certificate of completion and attendance, if appropriate.
Notify Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) for teens with and without IEPs by Autumn of the year before they graduate.
Re-evaluate benefits as needed. If appropriate, check eligibility for SSI in birth month and apply for Medicaid six months before 18th birthday. At age 18, the youth’s financial resources are considered, not the parents’. If already receiving Medicaid, eligibility is re-evaluated at age 18 with a different definition of disability.
Make sure your son registers with Selective Services within 30 days of his 18th birthday.
Register to vote if teen will be 18 by the day of the next election.
Begin exploring health care financing.
Take college entrance exams and complete applications, if appropriate.

By age 18

Check eligibility for SSI the month the teen turns 18.
Determine if teen will be able to make own health care, financial, and life decisions at age 19. Explore least restrictive alternatives, as appropriate.
If appropriate begin guardianship procedures 2 months before the teen turns 19. Guardianship may be full or limited.
Meet and tour adult service agencies and select appropriate service providers.
For graduating students planning to attend college, student contacts campus student disability services to request accommodations, prior to the start of school.
Begin voting in elections.
Investigate SSI Work Incentives such as Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS).
Notify student of rights that will transfer to him/her on reaching the age of majority at least one year before the student reaches the age of majority.

By age 19

Youth make their own legal decisions about their life, health care, and finances, unless they have a substitute decision-maker.

By age 21

If your son or daughter continued to attend a public school program after age 18, eligibility ends at the end of the school year in which the student turns 21.
For young adults with developmental disabilities, notify Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) for adult vocational services.
Can sign up for DDD at any age, the earlier the better.

Adapted from State of Washington’s Adolescent Health Transition Program, Transition Timeline, based on a model developed by Dr. Stephen L. Kinsman, Kennedy Krieger Institute; and from PTI Nebraska’s Transition Checklist for Families.

Revised by Munroe-Meyer-Institute. Supported in part by a federal grant awarded to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (11-P-92578/7-01).