As youth get older they must prepare for the transition to adult life The transition to adult life is planning for future needs including health care, employment, education, and independent living. As youth approach adulthood the transition planning process should provide them with tools and resources to increase their ability to lead productive adult lives.

Health Care: Youth with special health care needs will need to make the transition from pediatric care to adult care. Health Care planning should also include learning independent health care skills, finding adult health care providers, and getting proper health care coverage.

Employment: Employment training opportunities are important in building self-sufficiency and independent living skills as well as making the youth more employable.

Education: Youth with special health care needs often need additional support in choosing or attending vocational training or college.  This support will help youth successfully achieve educational goals.

Independence: As youth with special health care needs transition from adolescence to adult life they will need to have the appropriate skills for independent living. This includes skills such as, managing a savings/checking account, paying bills, cleaning a home, making meals, etc.

 Transition Planning: A Guidebook for Young Adults and Family 

This guidebook is a great tool to begin planning for the transition to adulthood.  The workbook will be the beginning steps in the transition planning process and will help you stay organized.  

  Local Health Department Transition Resource Manual    

This manual was created for Local Health Departments so some of the language and materials may be geared towards staff.  Regardless, the manual is packed with a lot of valuable information for young adults and families about transition to adulthood and various services/agencies that may be of assistance.  

Links: 
Social Security Administration 
Healthy and Ready to Work 
Partnership for Prescription Assistance 
Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council 
Michigan Rehabilitative Services 
Maternal Child Health Library Knowledge Path: Adolescent Transition 

For questions or help, phone the Family Phone Line at 1-800-359-3722