Contact your local managed care organization (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 Medicaid 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: NCDHHS Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 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 checklist 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 and family

Resources: Accessing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services

Learn about housing rights for people with disabilities

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

Resources: Housing Rights

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

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

Resources: Essential Tools – Community Resource Mapping, Community Resource Map

Apply to be added to the waitlist for housing options of interest

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

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

Review life skills checklists and resources with the individual 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 Verifcaci de Habilidades para la Vida

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

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

Resources: Life Skills Checklists

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 and Family

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

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

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

Learn and practice coping skills

Approximate Age: Ongoing through life | Who can help: Individual, Family, School/IEP Team, Therapist

Resources: Prioritize Coping and Calming Skills

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

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