The Arc Westchester links transition aged families and high school professionals to resources based on need and where they are in the transition planning process.
↓ Please click on the section headlines below for information and resources by transition planning item ↓
IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and Pathways to Graduation:
An Individualized Education Program, is a written document that’s developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education. The IEP is created through a team effort and reviewed at least once a year.
Multiple Pathways Graduation information
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*Multiple Pathways to Graduation*- Commencement Credential Requirement (CDOS) Pathway to a Regents or Local Diploma
- CDOS Questions and Answers
- Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (SACC)
- Superintendent Determination Option for Graduation with a Local Diploma Questions and Answers
- Understanding Current New York State Diploma Requirements
- NY State Graduation Chart and Tip Sheet
- Graduation Requirements Worksheet
- High School Graduation Options for Students with Disabilities
COVID-19 Graduation Requirement Changes
Transition planning
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- Transition Planning and Services for Students with Disabilities
- IEP and Transition Planning Preparing for Young Adulthood
- Tip Sheet: Transition Timeline
- Parent-Guardian Transition Letter
- Center for Parent Information & Resources: Transition to Adulthood
Apply for OPWDD Eligibility Determination:
People who have developmental disabilities can apply for supports and services from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The application and review process for OPWDD services is called the Eligibility Determination Process. Only OPWDD decides whether a person meets all the conditions of eligibility for OPWDD–funded services. The eligibility review process is the way OPWDD determines if you have a developmental disability and are eligible for OPWDD supports and services.
- Access to OPWDD Services Booklet Front Door Access to Services
- OPWDD Eligibility Determine Your Eligibility for Services
- Required Documents for Eligibility Determination
- OPWDD Student/Parent/Guardian Consent Form
- Transition Planning: Front Door and Self-Directed Services
The Front Door:
The Front Door is how you access Medicaid-Waiver services. Helping you opening the door to a richer, fuller life is the goal of the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The Front Door offers a person-centered approach to planning supports for people with developmental disabilities.
The Front Door process will guide you through the steps involved in finding out if you are eligible for services offered by OPWDD, identify your service needs, and help you work on a plan for getting those services. The goal of the Front Door process is to provide supports and services that help individuals and family members in ways that are respectful of their abilities, language and cultural values and traditions.
- Access to OPWDD Services Booklet Front Door Access to Services
- The Life Plan
Person Centered Planning, Services & Supports:
Care Coordination Organizations
Health Home Care Management services provided by Care Coordination Organizations (CCOs) provide coordination of health care, behavioral health and developmental disability services to New Yorkers who qualify for OPWDD services.
- Care Management FAQ’s for Individuals and Family Members New to Services
- Tip Sheet: Care Coordination for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Care Coordination FAQs for Individuals and Family Members
- NYS CCO Coverage Areas
CCO’s Serving Westchester County:
- Advanced Care Alliance (ACA/NY)
- Care Design New York (CDNY)
- LIFEPlan CCO NY
- Tri-County Care
PERSON-CENTERED SUPPORTS AND SERVICES THAT HELP YOU LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT TO LIVE
Through OPWDD, you can access supports and services that can help your family to support you to live in your family home; assistance for you to live on your own in the community of your choice; help if you want to work, take part in volunteer opportunities or other types of community involvement; and assistance accessing services you need to live your life, including connecting you to clinical or therapeutic supports.
- Employment Services
- Community Habilitation (Com-Hab)
- Day Habilitation (Day-Hab)
Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship:
A tool that allows people with disabilities to retain their decision-making capacity by choosing supporters to help them make choices. A person using SDM selects trusted advisors, such as friends, family members, or professionals, to serve as supporters.
- What You Should Know About Supported Decision-Making
- Understanding Types of Guardianship in New York State
- Youth in Action! – Leading your Transition Planning
- Self Determination: Supporting Successful Transition
- Youth in Action! – Serving on Decision-Making Boards
- Advocacy Sentence Starers
- Autism Speaks Through Leadership Summit, Speaker Kerrie, Shorgren, Ph.D. on Self Determination
- Click to create My Life Plan
ACCES-VR Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS):
ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation) is part of the NY State Education Department.
ACCES-VR Pre-ETS
student’s 16-21 years old may qualify for ACCES-VR Pre- Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). These services may include Work-Based Learning Experience, Job Exploration, Assessments, and Counseling. Review the resources below for more information.
- Student and Youth Transition Services webpage
- Detailed Information about New ACCES-VR Transition Services
- Transition Planning Self-Assessment Inventory
- Guide to ACCES-VR Transition Services
- Application for Services
Pre-Employment Planning and Resources:
- Interactive career exploration: What do you want to do for a living?
- Preparing Your Child/Young Adult for Work– Disclosure
- Tip Sheet: What the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Means for Youth People with Disabilities in NYS
- Five Areas of Youth Development with Related Outcomes and Activities
- Transition Truths: Workforce Development
- Create your own Transition Roadmap to Meaningful Employment
Adult Career & Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) Services:
New York State Education Department’s Adult Career & Continuing Education Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) assists individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain employment and to support independent living through training, education, rehabilitation, and career development.
Postsecondary, College Based Learning and Transition Programs:
Learn about Postsecondary education and great college programs!
Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) & Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) information from U.S. Social Security Administration.
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- Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits Factsheet
- Applying for SSI, Adult Starter Kit
Applying for SSI Child Disability Starter Kit (under 18)
To learn more information about future Transition programming and services, please contact our Transition to Adulthood team CLICK HERE →
