Transition Tools
These tools will help you prepare for the transition to adulthood.
The transition to adulthood is a significant and exciting time in a person’s life. For youth with special healthcare needs and their families, this journey is no less rewarding but requires careful planning and knowledge of valuable resources to assist in the transition. We’re here to provide this support and help you and your family prepare for what lies ahead.
We have developed a set of checklists and materials to help youth and their families learn and practice new skills and gain greater confidence and independence. You can search for these resources by category or region on the right side of this page.
We’ve also compiled some of our most popular checklists and materials into one convenient packet for ease of reference:
We also have a booklet that includes information and resources that can be useful in planning for government benefits and health insurance:
- Guide to Adult Benefits, Services and Resources in English
- Guide to Adult Benefits, Services and Resources in Spanish
If you are interested in receiving a printed copy of the toolkit or the Guide to Adult Benefits, Services and Resources, please fill out this short form.
We are eager to partner with you to make the journey to adulthood as successful as possible.
Healthcare Resources
How SSI and SSDI Can Help Patients
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.
PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics as well as understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Many of PAF’s resources are also available in Spanish.
PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.
Navigating Health Insurance and the Health Care System
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.
PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics including:
- Finding and Selecting Insurance
- Making the Most of Your Health Insurance
- Engaging with Insurers: Appealing a Denial
- Patient Advocate Foundation Drug Formulary FAQ
Watch their short tutorial “Welcome to the Education Resource Library” to learn how to find and share materials. Many of the materials are available in English and Spanish.
PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.
Getting the Care You Need: A Guide for People With Disabilities
“Getting the Care You Need: A Guide for People with Disabilities” aims to empower patients with disabilities by explaining their rights to accessible care.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides this resource. It is available in multiple languages, including:
independence Resources
The Illinois Life Span (ILS) Program is a program of The Arc of Illinois that provides statewide resources and information, focused on developmental disability services and supports.
Its website includes a resource locator that can help you find resources in your county and statewide.
You can call ILS at (800) 588-7002.
EP!C (Empowering People. Inspiring Capabilities.)
Empowering people. Inspiring capabilities. ( EP!C ) serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. EP!C helps individuals with disabilities at all levels achieve their goals and live their lives to the fullest by providing a range of programs and services including:
- Educational services
- Community living services
- Employment services
- Harvest horticulture program
- EP!Casso art program
EP!C provides services to individuals in central and some southern Illinois communities.
Developmental Disabilities Transition Resources for Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois Case Coordination Services (SICCS) provides this Developmental Disability Transition Resources guide to provide an overview of the person-first services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
SICCS serves Alexander, Bond, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White and Williamson counties.
Available services include PUNS (Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services). PUNS is the name for the list of the people in Illinois with developmental disabilities who want or need services but do not yet have funding.
work Resources
“Born for Business” Disability Entrepreneurship Toolkit
Entrepreneurship and self-employment can be a valuable and viable option for people with disabilities looking to enter the job market on their own terms. RespectAbility’s Born for Business toolkit provides an inventory of existing materials, advice and guides for job seekers with disabilities who are ready to become self-employed, launch a new enterprise or develop their entrepreneurial skills.
This toolkit was developed along with the Born For Business docuseries that focuses on the talents, innovations and impact of entrepreneurs with varying disabilities.
IllinoisJobLink.com
IllinoisJobLink.com is a robust, dynamic and comprehensive, web-based workforce development system for job seekers, employers, training providers and workforce professionals with realtime
data. For job seekers, it features job matching, resume creation and career management tools and resources.See the IllinoisJobLink.com brochure for more information.
McHenry County Workforce Network Young Adult Internship Program
The McHenry County Workforce Network Young Adult Internship Program provides opportunities for young adults up to age 24, including paid internships, training, certification and more.
Paid internships at local companies throughout McHenry County including positions in retail, offices, public works departments, not-for-profit organizations and many more.
Classroom training including resume development, interview preparation, career exploration, job search training, etc.