Official Site of The State of New JerseyTransition from School to Adult Life
Division services are available to people 21 or older who meet all other eligibility requirements.
Students receiving services through school are able to continue doing so through age 21. If you choose to graduate or leave school between the ages of 18 and 21, it is important to discuss service options with your Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team and your school's transition coordinator.
To stay up-to-date on transition-related news and events, join the Transition Listserv!
For information and registration links to upcoming transition-related webinars and events, go to our Transition to Adult Life Webinars and Events page.
Resources for Individuals and Families
DDD Welcome Sessions
We welcome and encourage individuals and their families to attend one of our virtual Quarterly Transition Welcome Sessions, held the first and fourth Thursday of the month in October, January, April, and July. These sessions are an opportunity to learn more about what DDD has to offer and how to prepare for adult life.
Transition Thursdays
Two Thursdays every month and two Thursdays every quarter, the Office of Transition to Adult Life & Employment hosts virtual opportunities for students and families to learn about the services and resources available through DDD.
Resources for Schools and Community Organizations
Presentations
DDD can conduct a presentation to your group in person or through a personalized webinar. Presentations are usually one to two hours long, with time included for questions. Presentation topics available include (1) Navigating the DDD Service System, (2) Learning About Employment, and (3) Preparing for a Bright Future: First Hand Experiences of a Person with a Disability.
Family Guidance Days
During a DDD Family Guidance Day, schools can schedule 15- to 20-minute time slots for school personnel, students, and/or family members to meet one-on-one with a DDD staff member to ask questions and seek guidance. DDD will work with schools to organize a transition or employment related Family Guidance Day. DDD can conduct Family Guidance Days during or after school hours, either virtually or in person.
Request a DDD Family Guidance Day
Information/Exhibit Table
DDD is available to participate in school/transition fairs and conferences with an information/exhibit table, with at least one DDD information specialist on hand to provide information and answer questions.
Other Resources
Planning for Adult Life
In addition to our own outreach, the Division supports Planning for Adult Life. This program has a wealth of written materials and archived webinars available on their website. They also run monthly student and parent clubs, coordinate various transition events throughout the year, and have staff available upon request to conduct presentations on a variety of topics.
The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities
The Boggs Center, New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, has many publications and learning opportunities available, including a one-page transition resource.
DDD Support Coordination Information
Every person who receives DDD-funded services must select (or be auto-assigned) a Support Coordination Agency to provide care management. The cost for Support Coordination services is paid by DDD and is not deducted from the person's up-to budget amount. For information and listings of approved Support Coordination Agencies, visit the Support Coordination webpage.
Graduates Timeline
The DDD Graduates Timeline (Graduates Timeline-Spanish) outlines the steps needed to apply for and begin receiving home and community-based services for adults. Use the menu bars below to see summaries of the information in the timeline.
Ages 18-20
- Apply for Medicaid eligibility. (It is recommended that individuals turning 18 apply for SSI, since approval of SSI makes you automatically Medicaid eligible in New Jersey.)
- Submit the Application for Determination of Eligibility to the Division. (If you were already determined to be eligible for developmental disability services through the Children’s System of Care, within the Department of Children and Families, you may be able to submit the SHORT Application.)
- After the Division receives and reviews your application, you will be scheduled to complete the NJ Comprehensive Assessment Tool
During the school year in which you are or will turn 21
September-June: Preparation and Planning
- Attend a DDD Welcome Session.
- Participate in activities offered through Planning for Adult Life.
- Use the Division’s Person-Centered Planning Tool to identify your vision for work and life, and the supports that may be needed to achieve it.
- Learn about Support Coordination and service providers.
February-April: Support Coordination Agency Selection and Assignment
- The Support Coordination Agency Selection Form is provided during the eligibility application process. When completing the form, it is a good idea to identify both a first-choice and second-choice agency.
- To find an SCA that serves your county of residence, you can review the Division’s list of approved Support Coordination Agencies or use the Provider Search Database.
April-June: Service Plan Development
- The Support Coordinator is responsible for writing the Individualized Service Plan (ISP), with guidance from the planning team (student, family, providers, etc.) and information gathered during the Person-Centered Planning process and completion of the NJCAT.
- *The ISP should be completed and approved before the student exits the school system so that services will be in place upon graduation.