Reaching the age of 21 for families of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities means coming of age, transitioning to adulthood and having new opportunities, but also having many questions and concerns. What happens when school-based services end? What are the opportunities beyond school? How do parents help their children transition to their next phase of life and find the services required?
For most parents, having their child transition from school-based to adult services means a vast array of new, and often uncharted, services. Often, adult services require the user to take a more active role, and the parent must help locate services and ensure that their child becomes and stays a beneficiary of the services.
Day habilitation after the age of 21 years helps to build everyday skills, make and build social relationships, be engaged in the community and participate in a range of activities based on individual interests.
Planning helps families in New Jersey ease the transition to the next phase of their child’s life. There are a host of opportunities available for eligible individuals in New Jersey. It is important to start the process early to give yourself enough time to fill out applications, determine your child’s eligibility, and make the necessary service arrangements.
Waiting until the end of school may limit the amount of time you have to compare different service providers and adjust to the changes in your routine. Families should have conversations with their child’s IEP team and transition coordinator to consider what the adult goals and needs are, as well as what adult services may be available.
What Is Day Habilitation After High School?
Unlike traditional schooling, a day habilitation after high school aims to help individuals achieve adult goals by supporting them in developing their skills in the following areas through a variety of activities.
- Communication and Decision-Making
- Social Skills
- Daily Living Skills and Routines
- Health and Safety
- Money Management
- Use of Technology
- Recreation and Participation in the Community
- Pre-Vocational Skills
How Families Can Plan the Move from School to Day Habilitation
1. Start the Process Early
It is important to begin looking at adult services several years prior to your child leaving the school system. DDD (New Jersey’s Division of Developmental Disabilities) recommends that families start the application process a minimum of six months prior to the individual turning 21 years of age.
Become familiar with the eligibility criteria, application process and available records. Organize school documents and relevant reports (e.g. observations, medical files and support plans) to present a complete picture of your child’s needs to case workers/service providers. These files will help families provide a more comprehensive picture of their child’s needs to case workers/service providers.
2. Identify Personal Goals and Support Needs
Think about what your child enjoys and what interests them. Consider what areas your child needs assistance with. For example, what support do they need to learn how to cook?
Or, what support do they need to learn how to manage money? What support do they need to learn social communication? For children and youth, personal goals help identify programs to support a family in achieving these goals.
3. Transition Services For Adults With Disabilities
What services are available for adults with disabilities? What type of supports are provided? Think about what types of activities are offered and how they are individualized.
Do staff members encourage and support participants to build their skills? What types of transportation are available? What are the eligibility and funding criteria?
4. Program Visits
Sometimes a program website offers very little detail about the type of services provided. Make an appointment to visit the program and view the service in action. Staff should be trained to adapt activities to individual needs and abilities of service participants. Progress made by service participants should be measured in some way.
5. Preparing for a Change of Routine
Think about the changes in routine that will occur when services are provided in the community versus school. What are new modes of transportation? Who will be supervising them? What is their daily schedule?
Visual schedules, calendars, and simple checklists can help create new routines. Gradually practicing new morning routines and the logistics of transportation can reduce the stress associated with the unknown.
Remember that adjusting to new circumstances will take time. Encouraging your child with patience and consistent communication will make the biggest impact.
Choosing Adult Day Services in New Jersey
When choosing an Adult Day Service in New Jersey, it’s important to look beyond the provided activities to see if the program helps participants create and strive to achieve their own personal goals.
Some important things to consider include:
- Does the program encourage participants to set personalized, individual goals?
- Are the program’s activities individualized and at the right level for participants of different abilities?
- How does the program help participants practice independence and social engagement?
- What is the staff’s level of training and experience?
- How do the staff members involve the family in the development and review of the participant’s goals?
- What are the participant’s funding and transportation arrangements?
Adult Day Habilitation programs focus on individual growth, skill development and community participation.
How Faith Day Habilitation Supports Adults in Fairfield, NJ
Faith Day Habilitation provides a range of activities that support individual growth, participation in community activities and social connections. The Faith Health Group uses a team of professionals to provide services based on the individuals’ needs, goals, and families’ wishes with safety and security in mind. This approach aids families in identifying ways to assist their children with opportunities for continued learning and personal development.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens when a student ages out of special education at 21?
School-based special education services end when a student is no longer eligible under applicable education rules. Families are encouraged to seek adult services such as day habilitation, employment and community services. Eligibility and availability may vary.
2. When should families plan for day habilitation after high school?
It is suggested that families start planning 2-3 years before the student turns 21. This allows for enough time to locate the various services, submit the required paperwork, and understand the rules and procedures for various services.
3. Who is eligible for day habilitation in New Jersey?
Eligibility is based on the needs of the individual and the applicable New Jersey DDD service requirements, as well as the service authorization and the admission policies of the provider. Families should contact DDD and the provider to determine the most current eligibility requirements.
4. What kinds of things do day habilitation programs do?
Day habilitation programs provide participants with various skills to improve their daily living and social activities, including art, crafts, fitness, technology, money management, recreation, and outings in the community.
5. Where can families find day habilitation services in New Jersey?
Families are encouraged to contact New Jersey DDD and their support coordinators for more information.
