How can I make sure the transition to adulthood goes smoothly: IEP Action Plan

Action Plans > How can I make sure the transition to adulthood goes smoothly: IEP Action Plan

IEP Action Plan

When youth with an IEP turn 16 years of age, they will actively engage in individualized transition planning. This process helps youth learn about themselves, make decisions, set goals, and interact with their IEP team to identify objectives and activities.

How To Get Started: To create a custom action plan for yourself or for someone you support:

Select items that you want added to your action plan.
Ignore any items that have already been done, or that are not relevant to you or the person you’re supporting.
After clicking “Submit,” you will see a summary of your selected items, which is your customized action plan.
This form will not be saved, however you will be able to print the summary, and if you provided an optional email address, the results will be emailed to you immediately.

Items to include in the IEP

Develop parents’/student’s vision for future (after high school).

Approximate Age: Age 16 (state required) Age 11-14 (best practice) K-6 (recommended) | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team

Resources: I’m Determined

Complete age-appropriate transition assessments which help identify needs, preferences, and interests for post-school goals.

Approximate Age: Age 16 (state required) Age 11-14 (best practice) K-6 (recommended) | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center

Develop the secondary transition goals on the IEP (education/training, employment, and independent living).

Approximate Age: Age 16 (state required) Age 11-14 (best practice) K-6 (recommended) | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Overview of Transition section of IEP (DPI)

Determine transition activities and instruction needed to reach secondary transition goals. At minimum, 1 measurable annual goal should be related to a transition goal.

Approximate Age: Age 16 (state required) Age 11-14 (best practice) K-6 (recommended) | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Pre employment transition services Path to Adulthood – Secondary Transition to North Carolina

Outline accommodations and modifications required for student to access their education.

Approximate Age: K-12 | Who can help: Student, Family/ School/IEP Team

Resources: Neurodivergent affirming IEP accommodations Adaptations and modifications Ultimate list of IEP accommodations

If applicable, identify related services and service delivery frequency (SLP, OT, PT, etc).

Approximate Age: K-12 | Who can help: Student, Family/ School/IEP Team

Resources: Transitions for children/youth: how OT can help School based PT best practice resources

IEP Meeting Considerations

Student should be invited and encouraged to attend IEP meetings (regardless of their Course of Study). Student should be supported to express their interests, needs, and goals for the IEP. Best practice is to prepare the student before the IEP meetings.

Approximate Age: K-12 (best practice) | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team

Resources: 10 ways to involve young adults in their IEP meetings

Review course of study options (i.e., certificate versus diploma pathways) to ensure best fit. Present levels and assessment data should inform this decision. *Note once student is in a course of study, changing it happens in unique circumstances. There are implications for graduation timelines.

Approximate Age: Age 11-14 (before high school) | Who can help: Individual, Family,/Guardian School/IEP Team

Resources: DPI High school graduation requirements Heading to HS: choosing a course of study

Attend IEP meetings and discuss transition goals and services.

Approximate Age: Age 16 (state required) Age 11-14 (best practice) k-6 (recommended) | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian,School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: Transition goals in the IEP

A representative from any agency likely to be responsible for providing/paying for transition services can attend IEP meeting(s) with parent consent (if student is not 18 already).

Approximate Age: K-12 | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team, EIPD, Managed Care Organization

Discuss transfer of rights one year prior to 18, when rights to make decisions for the IEP will fully transfer to the student (unless alternatives to guardianship have been established).

Approximate Age: Age 17 | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team, EIPD

Resources: DRNC Guardianship Info

Discuss progress towards graduation requirements. This includes IEP goals.

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

Discuss desired age of exit (18, 19, 20, 21 or year of 22nd birthday) based on the student’s progress and goals. Note, anyone with an IEP can advocate for extended time in school after turning 18. *Note: FRC and OCS students who choose to exit at year 5 (i.e., instead of year 4) will need to follow district policy for graduation requirements. Specific pacing of scheduling core courses will be necessary for student to be enrolled.

Approximate Age: Throughout high school | Who can help: Individual, Family/Guardian, School/IEP Team

Resources: When your child with an IEP turns 18: Your parental rights (understood.org)

IEP Team should refer the student to get evaluated for adult services through the NC Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities. *Note: Evaluation for EIPD adult services could risk in school EIPD services if the student is deemed ineligible for “competitive integrated employment”.

Approximate Age: FRC/OCS – Age 17-18 AC: Age 21 | Who can help: School, EIPD, Family/Guardian

Resources: Transition Planning – DRNC (disabilityrightsnc.org)

During the re-evaluation cycle (required every 3 yrs), the IEP team should discuss the need for specific evaluations necessary for enrollment in adult services (i.e., EIPD, Medicaid–see Healthcare Checklist, SSI, SSDI and postsecondary education–see PSE–Postsecondary Education and Adult Services Checklists).

Approximate Age: K-12 | Who can help: School/IEP Team

Resources: WTNC adult services action plan

Other supports for transition planning, outside of school based services

Explore Work Together NC’s library of transition planning services.

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

Resources: WTNC transition planning services library

Contact the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center for help understanding and advocating for your rights within the school system.

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

Resources: ECAC Parent Center A Parents’ Guide to Special Education in North Carolina | Children’s Law Clinic Resources (duke.edu)

Additional Items

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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.