Resources for Transition

Checklist as You Transition to Adulthood

Before 17 years 6 months of age:

Contact Compass Wisconsin:
Threshold at (414) 266-6151 or toll free at (800)234 -5437. Their website is: www.compasswisconsin.org
This is the path to apply for Children's Long Term Services, Family Support Program, Katie Beckett, and other services.

Keep a copy of school and medical records~ you will need them!
IEP’s
Psychological evaluations
Occupational/ Physical/Speech Therapy evaluations.
All these documents will assist in determining eligibility for programs.  Start thinking and talking about transition from pediatric to adult health care service.
Apply to DVR 4 semesters before graduation or soon after conferring with your IEP case manager
DVR's mission is to assist people with disabilities obtain and maintain employment.
https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/DVR to apply or to help you assess whether DVR services are right for you,
DVR at (608) 261-0050 (Voice), (888) 877-5939 (TTY) or toll free at 1-800-442-3477

If you are seeking community employment:

Students need a state ID, social security card, birth certificate or passport
When completing employment forms, 2 forms of ID are required~ a state ID AND a SS card or Birth certificate OR just a valid passport.
A bank account. This can be a savings account or a checking account. If it’s a checking account, they need a Voided Check for direct deposit  
Interview clothes. Dress pants, khakis, a skirt, a button up shirt (or nice polo), a belt, AND dress shoes ~ This should not be a nice pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

At age 17 years + 6 months of age:

Apply to Social Security Administration  for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program-pays monthly benefits to individuals who have little or no resources and who are aged, blind, or disabled.
Social Security First Floor 707 N Grand Avenue Waukesha, WI 53186 866-220-7885 800-772-1213
If you are not involved with the Children With Special Needs Unit contact the ADRC to apply for long-term care supports options.
ADRC Contacts: Local: (262)-548-7848 Toll Free: (866)-677-2372 Fax: (262) 896-8273
ADRC website ~ Aging and Disability Resource Center

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/defaultwc.aspx?id=38778

ADRC news feed for upcoming events- email to request to be added to the list

TKohan@waukeshacounty.gov

                       ADRC Guide  to Transition Services

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/uploadedFiles/Media/PDF/Senior_Services/TransitionBookletRevised20130121.pdf

Two assessments used  to determine eligibility:
A Functional Screen which gathers information about whether the individual needs help and how much help they need to perform activities of everyday life– for example, walking bathing, eating, and managing medication. (It is very important for you to obtain and keep a copy of school records including IEP’s psychological evaluations, and OT/PT/Speech evaluation All of these documents will assist in determining eligibility for programs.) A
Financial Screen which is based on income and assets. A consumer would need to meet Medicaid eligibility requirement

Determine need for guardianship:
There are two basic kinds of guardianship:
Guardian of the Estate—Manages the ward’s finances and property.
Guardian of Person—Arranges for personal needs such as food, shelter, social services, or medical needs.
Alternatives to Guardianship to consider include:
1. Power of Attorney for Health Care ~ A document that is drafted to allow an individual to make healthcare decisions for another person.
2. Conservatorship ~ If the person is competent to understand his/her actions, he/she can request that the court appoint a conservator who has the same rights and responsibilities as a guardian of estate—requires no “incompetency” ruling and can be ended by the individual at any time.
3. Representative Payee ~ Is an individual or organization appointed by the Social Security Administration to receive Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits of someone who cannot manage their own finances.
4. Dual Signature Accounts ~ The individual can make out their own checks, but the checks must be also signed by a designated co-signer.

Age 18 :

Obtain a state Identification Card
Learn about your new rights and responsibilities as an adult  
Males need to register for Selective Service
Register to vote

By age 21: This is the last year you are entitled to Special Education Services through the public schools, if you did not graduate.

Transition to adult health care providers should be complete.
Living situation and employment should be secured.

Learn about community, services, organizations, and housing options :

ARCh~The Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps

http://www.waukeshaarch.org/

Recreation:

Pabst Farms YMCA programs

http://www.ymcaatpabstfarms.org/programs/special-programs/

ACAP~ Adaptive Community Approach Program

http://www.acap-waukesha.org/

ACAP uses a philosophy of inclusion and social valorization to conduct its operations.  Individuals served have unique talents and abilities to share with society; therefore, efforts are made to discover, cultivate, and use those abilities within the context of community-based environments.  Members of ACAP have made use of generic community resources, such as health & fitness centers, museums, leisure outlets, and cultural events to express their belonging to the community.  In addition, such places as nature centers, historical museums, food pantries, shelters for people who are homeless, graffiti abatement programs, and other nonprofit organizations have received countless hours of volunteerism from members of ACAP.  By giving back to the community in tangible and meaningful ways, members of ACAP have demonstrated to themselves and to the community as a whole, that they have a valued place in society and in our local communities.

Vocational and Day Programming:

Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin ~ Beth Lohman

505 Northview Road

Waukesha WI 53186

(262)-953-2208

bethl@eastersealswise.com

www.eastersealswise.com

Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin touches the lives of over 10,000 children and adults with disabilities in Southeast Wisconsin. We connect the children and adults we support to a world of possibilities, so they can live, work and play in the community of their choice. With 80 years of history, we have a strong track record of positive family outcomes that truly changes lives.

Our Mission is to provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. We connect children and adults with disabilities to a world of possibilities by eliminating barriers that separate them from achieving greater independence, access to the community and exercising choice in their lives.
 

Our mission at our Workforce Training Center is to provide job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities and to support individuals in overcoming vocational barriers that exist due to their special needs. We place trainees based upon their strengths & aspirations. We help them determine what they want to do for work and then look for a matching employer.

Goodwill Industries “Supported Employment” Program ~Christine Schulz, Program Manager

Vogel Work & Training Center

200 West Vogel Avenue

Milwaukee, WI  53207

(414) 847-1954

Christine.Schulz@goodwillsew.com

Goodwill’s “Supported Employment” Program works with people with disabilities to help them get a job and provides job coaching to help them be successful.  This program assists you in getting a job that is personalized to your interests, strengths and job needs.  Individualized services include:

·         Assessment, career exploration and work trials

·         Temporary work experiences

·         Preparation for job search

·         Resume building, interview skills and travel training

·         Job development

Opportunities Inc. ~ Robin Kennedy

662 Armour Rd.

Oconomowoc, WI 53066

1-800-314-4567

Opportunities Inc. is a private, not for profit vocational rehabilitation agency that has been assisting individuals with their employment goals for over 45 years. The mission of our agency is to provide services that maximize an individual’s success and enhance their ability to be an independent contributing member of the community. We work with individuals experiencing any type of barrier to employment. Some of the services we provide include: job development, work experiences, vocational assessments, job coaching, career exploration, and benefit analysis. Our agency also provides an alternative education option, the Youth Apprenticeship Manufacturing Program. For more information about services, please visit our website at www.oppinc.com.

Paragon Community Services ~David Carlson

Program Coordinator - Paragon Community Services

6251 W Forest Home Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53220

414-366-1968

David.Carlson@paragoncommunityservices.com

Toni Kraemer

Regional Director

262-853-0000

Toni.Kraemer@paragoncommunity.com

Paragon Community Services LLC has been providing day services for adults with disabilities since 1983. Paragon enriches lives for individuals with disabilities through quality care and interactive activities. These activities focus on learning and development in order to gain personal growth. We build friendships through engagement in various social activities.

Creative and adaptive recreation is a high priority at Paragon Community Services. Activities include daily living skills, art, academics, exercise, self and reality awareness, sensory integration, cooking, and leisure or job skill development. Community outings reinforce a sense of social belonging, promote community safety awareness, and broaden one’s interests, friendships and quality of life.

Paragon Activity Club (PAC) is a program for youth and young adults who may need transitional services, school supports or respite services.

Pantheon Industries

1745 Executive Drive

Oconomowoc, WI 53066

     Erik Martin                       Brett Gottschalk

Vocational Development                 Managed Care / IRIS

Center Coordinator                      Coordinator

262-567-2133 ext. 2404                   262-569-5538 ext. 2405

Emartin@pantheonindustries.org                

Bgottschalk@pantheon                                               industries.org

Pantheon Industries is a non-profit Community Rehabilitation Program in Oconomowoc, WI. There are also comprehensive satellite programs located in New Berlin and Whitewater. Pantheon provides a full spectrum of vocational services in order to assist people with disabilities to develop skills that will benefit themselves and the community.

Pantheon has been a respected provider of work services for over 20 years.  Our goal is to design programs that allow our clients the opportunity to complete high quality work in a supportive environment.  We are also a service provider for the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Through our specialized programs; we provide such services as supported employment, vocational evaluations, situational assessments, job placement services, job coaching, work adjustment and a variety of transitional services.

Independence First ~ Marian Ecklund, ILS Program

Assistant Program Director

Tonya Villwock, ILS Coordinator

540 S 1st St.

Milwaukee, WI 53204-1516

(414) 226-8310

mecklund@independencefirst.org

tvillwock@independencefirst.org

IndependenceFirst is a non-profit Independent Living Center directed and controlled by persons with disabilities, primarily providing services to Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties.

IndependenceFirst’s mission is to effectively facilitate empowerment of individuals with disabilities through advocacy education, independent living services and coalition building. IndependenceFirst promotes diversity and multicultural participation in its operation and services.

Post Secondary Education

Shepherds College ~Chris Wright-Director of Admissions

1805 15th Avenue

Union Grove, WI 53182

(262) 878-6351

info@shepherdscollege.edu

www.shepherdscollege.edu

Through the combination of life skills development, in-depth training in a specialty vocation, supported independent living on campus, and supervised practicum courses, Shepherds College prepares individuals with intellectual disabilities to reach appropriate independence – a level of self-sufficiency that is aligned with individual strengths and guided by Christian values.  The Shepherds College program uniquely integrates the complete spectrum of skills needed to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to live to their full potential.

Bethesda College @ Concordia - Concordia University Wisconsin

Carol Burns - Program consultant

CUW - 12800 N. Lake Shore Dr.

Mequon Wisconsin 53097

262-243-2712

carol.burns@cuw.edu

www.cuw.edu

Since the fall of 2014, Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) has partnered with Bethesda Lutheran Communities to create a program that would allow young adults with intellectual and other complex disabilities to experience a post-secondary education experience. They offer a two year certificate program of liberal arts and skill development coursework. Students live on campus in a traditional university setting. Students also complete a job internship either on or off campus to meet the Bethesda program goals of independent living and community employment.

Edgewood College - Madison WI

Cutting Edge Program

Brianna Huebner - Program Advisor and Student Advisor

Edgewood College

1000 Edgewood College Dr.

Madison, WI 53711

608 - 663-2340

cuttingedge@edgewood.edu

www.edgewood.edu

The Cutting Edge is an individual approach to education and inclusion in college for students with intellectual developmental disabilities. It is for students that do not meet the standard admissions criteria for college. The students attend undergraduate courses with support, participate in practicums and internships, live in student housing, and perform community service. Each student has a peer mentor.

Mansfield Hall

141 W. Gilman St.

Madison, WI 53703

877-205-3785

www.mansfieldhall.org

Mansfield Hall is a post secondary residential and transitional living academic support program for young adults who with additional individualized support have the academic potential to be successful in college. Mansfield Hall serves students with social communication challenges, executive functioning deficits, learning disabilities, mild autism spectrum disorders, ADHD or other diverse learning needs that may pose challenges to obtaining a college degree and transitioning to college life without support. They offer comprehensive academic and residential services for students interested in attending college and pursuing a pathway to independence, all under one roof. Their location in Madison is near UW-Madison, Edgewood College, and Madison College. Mansfield Hall is not a college - it is a residential experience with academic support.