What opportunities are available after high school?

Action Plans > How can I make sure the transition to adulthood goes smoothly?

What opportunities are available after high school?

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1Employment

2Postsecondary Education

3Community Living

4Additional Info

Employment

Individuals with disabilities are employable. The state agency, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, is an important partner in the process of helping youth with career exploration, employment readiness skills, and job placement.

Acronym Key: IEP = Individualized Education Program | Pre ETS = Pre Employment Transition Services | EIPD = Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities

Developing skills for the workplace

Learn to use time management strategies at home and in school (i.e., checklists, calendar, planner).

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family

Resources: Time management supports Time management tips

Take on more chores at home.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family

Resources: List of age appropriate chores How to create a chore chart

Review work readiness skill checklists and target skills in need of further development.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: Work ready checklist Soft skills checklist

Consider taking community based classes to expand hard and soft skills and explore interests (i.e., Adult Basic Ed programs at community colleges, programs at Parks & Rec or local library, toastmasters, webinars).

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family

Resources: Soft skills curriculum Apprenticeships NC Adult Basic Education | CareerOneStop

Consider higher education options (i.e., community college, University, trade school, certificate programs).

Approximate Age: Start at 14 and ongoing (i.e., community college, University, trade school, adult basic education programs) | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: What’s Next: College?! guide NC postsecondary education programs What opportunities are available after high school: Postsecondary Education – Work Together NC

Learn about workplace rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act . Refer to the Self Advocacy action plan to further develop self advocacy skills.

Approximate Age: Start at 14 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Self advocacy action plan Learn about my rights

Gaining volunteer or work experience

Begin exploration of personal learning styles and necessary accommodations/supports to be successful in a work setting.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team

Resources: Job Accommodation Network

Review how course of study pathways can support the student’s employment options (i.e., certificate versus, occupational course of study and future ready diploma pathway).

Approximate Age: 13 (Middle School) and ongoing | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: HS graduation requirements

Identify career interests and skills, complete interest and career inventories, and identify education or training requirements for careers.

Approximate Age: Starting in middle school and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team

Resources: NC careers

Learn about different types of work and determine the best fit: self employment, customized employment, or traditional employment.

Approximate Age: Starting in middle school and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Customized employment Video about customized employment A guide to self employment

Explore assistive technology & communication tools that can increase employment opportunities.

Approximate Age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Assistive technology resources

Explore apprenticeship and/or internship options.

Approximate Age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Apprenticeships NC Project Search

Consider job shadowing or informational interviewing.

Approximate Age: Starting at age 14 & ongoing | Who can help: Pre Employment Transition Service Programs

Resources: Informational interviewing Do’s and don’ts of job shadowing Pre-ETS FAQ

Consider summer employment or volunteer experience.

Approximate Age: High school | Who can help: Individual and Family

Resources: Volunteer match NC careers Volunteering isn’t unpaid work

Finding a job

Explore Pre Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) Programs offered locally.

Approximate Age: Age 14-21 | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Pre-ETS FAQ

Learn about social security programs such as the Ticket to Work and Benefits Counseling and policies such as Work Incentives (i.e., Student Earned Income Exclusion).

Approximate Age: Benefits counseling services are available starting at age 14 | Who can help: Individual and Family, EIPD

Resources: Work incentives Student earned income exclusion

Set up a meeting with a benefits counselor.

Approximate Age: Benefits counseling services are available starting at age 14 | Who can help: Individual and Family, Community Agency (i.e., EIPD, Service Source)

Resources: NC benefits counseling services Benefits counseling to promote employment

Seek out an evaluation for services by NC EIPD *Note: Evaluation for EIPD adult services could risk in-school EIPD services if student is deemed ineligible for “competitive integrated employment.”

Approximate Age: Age 16 | Who can help: Individual and Family

Resources: Local EIPD offices

Learn about social security programs such as the Ticket to Work and Benefits Counseling and policies such as Work Incentives (i.e., Student Earned Income Exclusion)

Approximate Age: Age 16 | Who can help: Individual and family, Vocational Rehabilitation

Request meeting with an EIPD Counselor, including inviting them to IEP meetings

Approximate Age: Age 16 | Who can help: Individual, school/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: NC EIPD

Explore Work Together NC’s employment service library and contact service agencies of interest.

Approximate Age: Starting at age 16 & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Employment services

Determine eligibility for SSI, and apply, if desired. Learn about asset limits (the impact of work income on benefits). See the adult services action plan for more details.

Approximate Age: Start the application at 17.5 | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team, EIPD or other benefits counseling agency (i.e., Service Source)

Resources: Supplemental security income

Adult Services Action Plan

Postsecondary Education

Learning is life long and doesn’t end with high school. Postsecondary education settings includes universities and colleges, as well as trade, continuing education, and vocational schools.

Acronym Key: IDEA=Individuals with Disabilities Education Act | ADA=Americans with Disabilities Act | CTP=Comprehensive Transition Program | IEP=Individualized Education Program | FERPA=Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act | EIPD= Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities | MCO= Managed Care Organization | PSE=Postsecondary Education

Continuing education after high school

Work on study skills and organizational habits (i.e., using time management tools).

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: Skills for college success

Explore options for postsecondary education, training, or continuing education. As a starting point, check out Work Together NC’s postsecondary education program library and Exploration Guide.

Approximate Age: Start in middle school and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: What’s next college guide NC postsecondary education programs

Review how high school course of study could impact the student’s postsecondary options (i.e., certificate versus diploma pathway).

Approximate Age: 13 (Middle School) and ongoing | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: HS graduation requirements

Become familiar with the key differences between high school and college (I.e., IDEA vs ADA, accommodations vs modifications, IEP vs person centered planning, changes in expectations).

Approximate Age: 14 | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team

Resources: High school to college transition

Attend open houses, college fairs, virtual or in-person tours of postsecondary options.

Approximate Age: Start at 14 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Resources: NC virtual college fair

Become familiar with parental rights regarding the young person’s educational records, as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Approximate Age: Year before entry to postsecondary program | Who can help: Family

Resources: Parent rights handbook

Identify a representative from chosen postsecondary option to attend IEP meetings, if possible.

Approximate Age: Year before entry to postsecondary program | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Determining which postsecondary programs to apply to

Compare program admissions criteria, location, cost, residential options, # years, and other factors that may influence decision making. Consider which options are most aligned with the individual’s goals

Approximate Age: Start at 14 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation

Research financial aid options, such as FAFSA (if program is a CTP), Vocational Rehabilitation, NC Legislative Scholarships, NC Promise, Ruby’s Rainbow, and other individualized scholarship programs.

Approximate Age: 1-2 years before entry to Postsecondary | Who can help: Individual and family, School/IEP Team/School financial aid officer or guidance counselor

Resources: NC Promise, Paying for College: Resources

Support an individual to identify the postsecondary option(s) of interest, based on their career and life goals. Work with support team to ensure admissions criteria are met.

Approximate Age: 14-16 | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation

Resources: Think College Search

Create a College Foundation of North Carolina account and explore the resources on this site.

Approximate Age: 16 | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation

Resources: CFNC

Attend open houses, college fairs, virtual or in-person tours of postsecondary options–consider accessibility of the physical environment

Approximate Age: 1-3 years before entry to postsecondary program | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team

Resources: Self-Advocate’s Guide to Choosing a Post-Secondary Program, Self-Examination: How Inclusive Is Your Campus?

Refer to the employment action plan to clarify career interests and goals, which will inform postsecondary goals

Approximate Age: As early as possible | Who can help: Individual, Family, and School/IEP Team, Vocational Rehabilitation

Finding resources in postsecondary education

Explore how adult services can be used in a postsecondary setting (i.e., vocational rehabilitation services, NC Medicaid Waiver or 1915(i) services). See Adult Services action plan for more details.

Approximate Age: Year before entry to Post-secondary | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Managed Care Organization, EIPD

Resources: Adult services action plan

Gather more information on support services offered at programs of interest (i.e., disability services, peer support groups). Connect with the accessibility and disability support services office when visiting college campuses or vocational programs.

Approximate Age: 16-18 | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Postsecondary Program

Resources: Accessing accommodations after HS

Research student wellness programs at identified programs of interest (i.e., for mental health, study/organizational skills).

Approximate Age: Year before entry to Post-secondary | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Postsecondary Program

Completing applications

If applicable, make arrangements for accommodations to take college entrance exams.

Approximate Age: 16-17 | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: Accommodations for college entrance testing

Collect/request final copies of all necessary financial and disability documents for applications/ accommodations after high school (I.e, Most recently updated IEP, Medical documentation of disability, Power of attorney & other Guardianship documentation)

Approximate Age: During the last year before graduation | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: Supported decision making action plan

Complete applications and await admissions decisions. Consider applying to multiple programs in case the student does not get into their top choice.

Approximate Age: Depends on admissions window (see website for program of choice) and desired year of entry | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Develop “back up” plans in case the student is not admitted to their desired PSE program or any programs. Consider ways a “gap year” could be used to further prepare for PSE.

Approximate Age: When applying to PSE programs | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team

Community Living

Addressing the housing needs for youth with disabilities is greater than just finding places for them to live. It’s also involves developing daily living skills, setting up adult services for daily living needs, and finding “belonging” in the community. The Medicaid Innovations Waiver is the main funding source for adult services to support community living.

Acronym Key: MCO = Managed Care organization | Pre-ETS = Pre Employment Transition Services | IDD = Intellectual and Developmental Disability

Preparing for Community Living

Explore natural support resources to help develop an individual’s social network.

Approximate Age: 13 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, and School/IEP Team

Resources: Natural support network development

Utilize resource mapping tools to gain awareness of local resources.

Approximate Age: 13 and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, and School/IEP Team

Resources: Resource mapping Resource mapping toolkit

Contact your local MCO to assess the child’s eligibility for services. If eligible, ensure the child is added to the Registry of Unmet Needs (also known as the “waitlist”) for the NC Innovations Waiver.

Approximate Age: As early as possible– infancy is not too young. It can take 15+ years to get off the waitlist! | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: NC DHHS IDD services LME/MCO directory NC innovations waiver

Contact your local MCO to ask about eligibility for home and community services. Even if an individual is still on the Registry of Unmet Needs, they may qualify for other services (see Adult Services action plan for information).

Approximate Age: Contact MCO at least once a year, starting at 14 (there are oftentimes updates in policies/services available) | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian

Resources: Accessing IDD resources Adult services action plan

Learn about housing rights for people with disabilities.

Approximate Age: 14 | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, and School/IEP Team

Resources: Housing rights Fair equal housing opportunity information

Contact your MCO or other IDD services provider organizations to help identify housing programs of interest and navigate to applications.

Approximate Age: Middle school or as early as possible | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian

Resources: WTNC resource library

Explore other Work Together NC action plans that are relevant to community living: transportation, adult services, financial well-being, self determination, and more!

Approximate Age: As early as possible and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, and Transition Facilitator/IEP Team, Adult Service Providers

Resources: WTNC action plans

Developing daily living skills

Review life skills checklists and resources throughout the transition process.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team

Resources: PEATC Life Skills Checklist Lista de Verificacion de Habilidades para la Vida

Learn daily living skills (budgeting, shopping, cooking) from classroom and community-based instruction or life experiences.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual and School/IEP Team, Pre-ETS programs

Resources: Life skills checklists Pre employment transition services faq

Increase responsibilities at home (i.e., chores, using a schedule or planner) and explore support needs (i.e., assistive technology, visual checklists).

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian

Resources: Using technology to increase independence

Identify preferred leisure activities for home and the community. If necessary, develop a choice board or other structure needed for leisure time.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Parks and recreation, churches, YMCA, community billboards & kiosks

Learn and practice coping skills.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Therapist

Resources: Coping and calming skills

Achieving safety and social belonging in the community

Broaden experiences and skills through community activities. Check out Work Together’s social/recreational program library.

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: : Individual and family

Resources: Social Recreation Resources

If applicable, prepare for living with roommates (i.e., practice relevant social skills like setting boundaries, communicating preferences)

Approximate Age: High School | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Common’s Guide to Living With Roommates

Learn and practice community safety skills

Approximate Age: Ongoing through life | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Safety Powers Skills for all abilities, Safety in the Community, Bridging to Adulthood Tips: Safety Resources for Adults with Disabilities

Become familiar with safety strategies for social media i.e., how to recognize scams, avoid predators, protect personal information

Approximate Age: Ongoing through life | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: How to Stay Safe Online

Learn how to understand and respond to emergencies in the home and community

Approximate Age: High school age | Who can help: Individual and family

Resources: Emergency Preparedness Tips

Learn and practice communication and self-advocacy skills for different settings (employment, school, recreation)

Approximate Age: As early as possible & ongoing | Who can help: Individual, School/IEP Team

Exploring options for housing and community living

Identify interests and options for future living arrangements, including supports. Check out Work Together NC’s housing and daily living service libraries.

Approximate Age: Start in middle school and ongoing | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team, Managed Care Organization

Resources: Housing Services, Daily Living Supports

If the individual is receiving the NC Medicaid Waiver, learn about the NC Medicaid Supported Living Definitions and understand what they mean for your family

Approximate Age: Individuals are re-assessed for their “level” every 3 years by the MCO | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Managed Care Organization

Resources: Supported Living Service Definition, Supported Living

If the individual is not receiving the NC Medicaid Waiver, ask your MCO care coordinator about supported living services that may be available through the State

Approximate Age: High school | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, Managed Care Organization

Resources: State-Funded Supported Living Periodic

Review the Autism Society’s Housing Guide to learn about living options/models for adults (much of this information is applicable for adults with IDD, not just autism)

Approximate Age: 13 | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian

Resources: Autism Society Residential Options

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Disclaimer: These action plans are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be comprehensive, and should not be taken as legal advice. Services and programs mentioned may vary by county. Please consult with professionals with expertise in this topic area for guidance specific to you, your family or student/client’s situation. The “approximate age” listed with each item is a general recommendation for when to get started on an action item; however, everyone has a different timeline and for many of the items, it’s never too late to take action! Have a suggested correction or addition to this checklist? Email worktogethernc@med.unc.edu.