19th Annual Illinois Statewide Transition Conference in Springfield

The “Stepping Stones of Transition” in-person conference shares services and resources to prepare youth and young adults with special healthcare needs for success in adulthood.

The statewide transition conference, titled “Stepping Stones of Transition,” will take place Nov. 7-8.

The conference is at the Crowne Plaza Convention Center, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, in Springfield.

“Stepping Stones of Transition” is for youth, parents, caregivers, vocational professionals, healthcare professionals, educators and others who work with youth and young adults with special healthcare needs.

Participants can discuss the possibilities for students with disabilities in the areas of:

• Independent living
• Education and training
• Employment
• Community integration
• Health care
• Self-advocacy

Youth and young adults with special healthcare needs will learn how to plan for their future, including:

• What happens after I leave high school?
• How do I sort through the maze of resources?
• What steps can I take now to prepare for upcoming changes?
• What skills are important for me to develop?

More information, including how to register, is available at www.illinoistransitionconference.org/.

See the transition conference flyer in English. The conference flyer in Spanish is coming soon.

The University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) may be able to fund the conference-related expenses for DSCC participants and their families, caregivers, nurses and/or personal attendants. These expenses include the cost of the hotel and transportation.

DSCC participants can register online in English or in Spanish. The deadline for DSCC participants to register is Oct. 10. Space is limited. Registration may close earlier if all spaces are filled. DSCC participants can call (800) 322-3722 for help with registration.

The conference also includes a health track for pediatric, adult primary care and subspecialty providers to learn from experts and one another about the Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition and the strategies, services and resources available to help improve the quality of health care transition.

The deadline to register is Oct. 7.

You can also read more about how the 2022 conference participants received valuable information and resources.