Transitioning Youth comprise a special category of eligibility and priority for services. Through the Governor's Transitioning Youth Initiative the DDA, in collaboration with the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS), has been able to fund supported employment and other day services for eligible graduating students who otherwise may not have received DDA services.

Without the Initiative, students leaving the school system would be placed on a lengthy waiting list for adult services. The Governor's Transitioning Youth Initiative earmarks funds in the DDA budget for eligible students leaving school, regardless of the severity of their situation and their relative need for immediate services.
For an individual to be eligible for the Governor's Transitioning Youth Initiative (GTYI) he or she must be found fully eligible as developmentally disabled. The "DD" eligibility criteria states that the person has a severe chronic disability that:

1. Is attributable to a physical or mental impairment, other than the sole diagnosis of mental illness, or to a combination of mental and physical impairments;
2. Is manifested before the individual attains the age of 22;
3. Is likely to continue indefinitely;
4. Results in an inability to live independently without external support or continuing and regular assistance;
5. Reflects the need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic care, treatment, or other services that are individually planned and coordinated for the individual.

Additionally, the student is eligible from his/her 21st birthday until his/her 22nd birthday. If the date of graduation is after the individual's 21st birthday, the individual shall continue to be eligible for one year after the date of graduation.

The DDA works with its partner agencies in the Governor's Transitioning Youth Initiative to:

• Coordinate with local school systems and DORS in identifying students with developmental disabilities who will be graduating and who appear to be eligible for GTYI.
• Provide outreach and information to families and students about applying to the DDA for services;
• Complete eligibility screening for DDA services while the student is still in school;
• Facilitate transition to adult services or other types of DDA services. This may include referral to generic services by providing information to students, families and schools about the adult service system;
• Assist eligible individuals in accessing the most appropriate vocational supports and commit funding for those services.

Download the Transitioning Youth Handbook

(The freely available Adobe Acrobat reader is required to view and print PDF files.)

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DDA Transitioning Youth Timeline with Two Waivers

Upcoming Transition Youth Fairs

• Transitioning Youth Initiative And Adult Services Meeting
• Prince George's County Transitioning Youth Fair

RESOURCES

• Transition Programs in College, University or Community-Based Settings for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in the State of Maryland
• Seamless Trainsition Grant Opportunity
  
  The Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Rehabilitation Services is pleased to announce the 2nd round of Request for Proposals to Local Education Agencies [LEAs] to replicate a seamless school to career transition model for transition age youth with disabilities. Community organizations and interested others are encouraged to contact their LEA to partner in this important opportunity.
  The Request for Proposals is posted on the Maryland State Department of Education website www.msde.state.md.us. Please go to Divisions, click onto "Office of the Superintendent" and click "Grants." Scroll down the page to "Announcements."
  An Interested Parties meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2009, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Workforce and Technology Center, Baltimore, Maryland. Those interested parties unable to attend in person may call 1-866-823-0218 and use participant pass code #7082328 to participate via teleconference.

Mark Your Calendars

The Way to Work Webinar Series: How to Facilitate Work Experiences for Youth in Transition

You're invited to attend the TransCen webinar series designed especially for busy transition professionals and youth employment service providers. From the convenience of your computer, learn proven strategies and useful skills for helping every youth, regardless of disability, prepare for and succeed in the workplace.

September 23, 2009

Not just any workplace:
Planning for work experiences and jobs

October 14, 2009

Where are they?
Finding and recruiting employers

November 11, 2009

Creating workplace partners:
Keeping employers happy

December 9, 2009

On the job, now what?
Supporting youth to succeed

More details and registration information will be coming soon! If you have any questions, please feel free to email us! elearning@transcen.org

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