Youth in Transition (from School to Work)

Do you want to start working?
The process of preparing youth for work, and thereby increasing their chances of success, is known as a transitionThe passing from one condition, activity or place
to another. The movement from school to adult life
and the world of work. The transition is complex and
involves decisions about career, living arrangements,
social and financial goals.

. It involves students, school services and post-school services, and leads to the ability to work and live independently, while earning money and playing an active role in the community. Learn more by checking out the topics below.

Disability Benefits Calculator graphic Transitioning to employment means making additional income. The rules for going to work have changed. Use the Illinois Disability Benefits Estimator to explore how achieving an earned income may open up additional benefits to you.

Youth in Transition

Job Preparation Resources

AbilityLinks is a job search website for people with disabilities. It is also used by employers and service providers.

disabilityworks has work incentives and support for people with disabilities.
Illinois workNet Find a Job page provides resources to prepare for and find a job in Illinois.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free service for people with disabilities. Services include:

consultation about job recommendation ideas,
requesting and negotiating accommodations, and
rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) Program
Do you need advocacy or legal assistance? The PABSS Program can help you find services and support. They can also help you with accommodations that you may need to work. The PABSS organization serving Illinois is Equip for Equality, Inc.
Self-Employment Resource Network (SERN) helps people become effectively self-employed.
State of Illinois Jobs
Vocational Rehabilitation Services helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs.

Need more guidance?

employment guide

Print Resources

Age Appropriate Transition Assessment Guide
Descriptions of Federally-Supported Projects and Centers that Focus on Youth (PDF)

Family Manual for Transition to Work and Adult Services,
Helpful resources and links for parents
Helping Students with Cognitive Disabilities Find and Keep a Job (PDF)
Student's Guide to Jobs (PDF) is for students with significant disabilities. Such as mental retardation and autism.
Student Transitional Guide to College is a tool for students with disabilities who are preparing to attend college. It gives tips and things to think about as they make decisions, apply for admission, and seek financial assistance.
Transition Planning: A Team Effort and other free publications for families and youth.

Role of Parents or Guardians

Be active in the student's IEP Transitional ProcessThe IEP transition planning process utilizes interrelated
steps that build upon each other, and focuses on preparing
a youth for the adult world. The end result is
a comprehensive, dynamic and coordinated IEP transition
program that reflects the student's vision for adult
life.

Encourage your student to work and/or continue their education. Use Student Work Incentives.
Learn about early intervention. Find work incentives and benefits available for youth with disabilities.
Plan for transitioning into the workforce.
Support your student. Help them become their own Payee of their benefits.

Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center helps families build on their strengths, and empowers parents and professionals to get the strongest possible outcomes for students with disabilities. It enhances the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities.

Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) wants to improve services for all children with disabilities. They educate and train parents, professionals, and volunteers.

Parent Guide - Educational Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois.

Transition Planning Resources

Know what to expect as youth prepare to transition into the workforce. Be prepared to participate in the youth transition process. This includes developing an Individual Employment Plan.

Terminology and Acronyms you should know.
Illinois Transition Website - Find transition links, resources and a calendar of events. These are offered by the Transition Planning Committee (TPC). The TPC is a group of local members that wants to improve the transition life-cycle from high school to a successful adult life.
Illinois State Board of Education transition planning information:

Indicator 13 - Tools and Resources for the High School (Secondary) Transition Plan. These Include:

A complete PowerPoint slide show on building a better IEP,
District tools such as the Illinois Indicator 13 checklist,
Information about district requirements for Indicator 13,
Links to resources from the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center,
Transition Practices Self-Assessment,
Transition plan sample, and
Tools and resources for FACTS data collection.

Transition and SSI - Going to Work. - Find information for high school students who get supplemental security income (SSI).
Transition Outreach Training for Adult Living (TOTAL) Project: - Training Videos and Resources.
Transition Support networks for families, friends and support people for students with disabilities.

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Programs

Illinois SSA Work Incentives Planning Assistance Project (WIPA) was made to provide correct information to transition-aged youth beneficiaries. Information about work incentive programs and issues related to such programs can help them make better choices about working, and ease their transition into the workforce.

WIPA programs are in charge of giving technical and planning assistance to benefit recipients as they move toward working status. An important part of this is to address the student Transition-to-Work population about cash benefits, medical insurance and work incentives, which are made to increase employment and earnings over time. Early intervention and education about benefits and work incentives helps prevent future problems, and "missed opportunities".

Click here to use a map and find a WIPA location nearby. Click on the county or service area where you live to learn about the Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Program.

Illinois Transition Website

- Find transition links, resources and a calendar of events.

Ticket to Work Program:

- A ticket is a voucher that lets you get employment, vocational rehabilitation and other support services from public and private providers if you receive Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Have you received a ticket by mail? Do you need to determine eligibility? Call MAXIMUS at (866) 968-7842 (Voice) and (866) 833-2967 (TTY).

Learn about Work Incentives Planning & Assistance (WIPA) services for youth.

Division of Mental Health (Illinois Dept. of Human Services)
Division of Rehabilitation Services (Illinois Dept. of Human Services)
Job training assistance
Job placement assistance
Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) (Equip for Equality, Inc.)
Contact a CWIC about how working will affect your benefits

Disability Resources

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Youth in Transition (from School to Work)