Transition Resources
The Transition Coalition provides professional development tools and technical assistance to professionals and families supporting students with disabilities in transition to adulthood planning. Resources include webinars, on-line training modules, study guides and free publications.
Transition Planning Committee for McLean, Dewitt and Logan Counties
The Transition Planning Committee (TPC) for McLean, Dewitt and Logan Counties provides a wide range of resources to support students with disabilities and help their families navigate the transition to adulthood and life after high school. The resources are also helpful for educators and community members who are helping students and young adults build skills and explore their options after high school. The committee’s resources include:
- Education and training programs
- Support and mental health services
- Transportation and employment
- Legal and financial help
- Recreation and social opportunities
- Prioritization of Urgent Need for Services (PUNS)
- Housing and developmental training
Transition QuickGuide: Take Charge of Planning and Managing Your Own Health and Career Goals
The Transition QuickGuide checklist provides information and resources about health insurance coverage, self-care, health care transition, decision-making and career planning and management.
You can visit Got Transition’s website for more information on the process of getting ready for health care as an adult.
For questions, please contact Got Transition at info@GotTransition.org or (202) 769-0486.
TSA Cares is a helpline through the Transportation Security Administration that provides travelers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances additional assistance during the security screening process.
You can call 72 hours prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. Call (855) 787-2227 or fill out the Request for TSA Cares Assistance.
TSA Cares also provides this video to help individuals on the autism spectrum and those with communication, social interaction and/or sensory sensitivities know what to expect during airport security screening.
The U.S. Department of Education is America’s education agency. Its website includes guidance, resources and technical assistance related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
IDEA is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children, supports early intervention services for infants and toddlers and their families, and awards competitive discretionary grants.
UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago is a charitable not-for-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities in metropolitan Chicago and beyond.
Its services include employment and community day services for adults, residential services for adults, children’s foster care, assistive technology and accessibility services, and more.
For questions, please contact UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago using the online form or call (708) 863-3803.
Unique Sweets provides delicious treats and a safe space for people with autism and other disabilities to participate in life skills training. Team members participate in event planning, purchasing supplies, baking, decorating and packaging and receive a stipend to cover their expenses to get to the kitchen. Unique Sweets also hosts social events throughout the year to foster peer relationships, social skills and community support.
Unique Sweets also offers:
- Life skills (virtual or in-person) peer-led cooking classes
- Social events and an annual Party With a Purpose
- Inclusive workshops, information sessions and social events with other organizations
- Referrals to other programs and services as needed
If you have any questions, please email Unique Sweets at contact@uniquesweetsinc.org.
Universidad Popular (UP) is a nonprofit organization that promotes community empowerment through participatory learning. UP provides language courses, a wide range of youth and family support, job readiness training, independent living skills, a digital literacy program, health and nutrition seminars, and more. Its programs include:
- Youth Mentoring Initiative for young men
- UP to Youth featuring fun activities promoting mental and physical health, coding and community engagement
- Families Learning to Teach
- Learning to Succeed
- Overcoming Barriers to Success for people with disabilities
- Digital Literacy Program
- Health and Literacy Initiative
Universidad Popular is located at 2801 S. Hamlin Ave. in Chicago with sites in Little Village and West Lawn.
For more information, please call UP at (773) 733-5055 or visit the Contact Us Page to complete the online form.
Urban Autism Solutions (UAS) is a Chicago non-profit organization serving young adults with autism and other learning differences. Their person-centered programming focuses on building life skills, community integration, social interaction, an integrated community life, and social and vocational opportunities. UAS programs include:
- The West Side Transition Academy
- Growing Solutions Farm
- Life Lab
- Network 1212 social meet-ups and outings for young adults
For questions, please email UAS at info@urbanautismsolutions.com
Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES)
Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES) provides career and technical education (CTE) courses and oversees a variety of state and federal education improvement grants for schools in DeKalb, LaSalle, Lee, Kane and Kendall counties. Students with disabilities and other special populations in the VALEES region can earn industry credentials and education benefits, participate in skill-building workshops and competitions, and connect with business and industry. Parents, guardians, educators and professionals can visit the VALEES website for resources and programs for special populations.