NJ Transition Timeline: Ages 14–21

• Begin discussing transition goals through the IEP process when applicable.
• Start thinking about your student's strengths, interests, communication, daily living skills, employment interests, community participation and future support needs.
• Ask the school team how transition goals are reflected in the IEP.

• Continue updating transition goals.
• Explore employment, vocational experiences and community-based opportunities when appropriate.
• Begin learning about adult disability systems.
• Organize evaluations, school records, medical documentation and disability documentation.
• Begin discussing transportation and future daily-support needs.

• □ Investigate or apply for DDD eligibility when appropriate
• □ Investigate SSI eligibility
• □ Address Medicaid eligibility when applicable
• □ Understand the change in legal decision-making at 18
• □ Learn about supported decision-making and guardianship options
• □ Continue school transition planning
• □ Organize important records

DDD can begin determining eligibility at age 18. Eligible youth generally continue receiving children's intellectual/developmental disability services through the Children's System of Care until age 21, and adult DDD services generally begin at 21.

• Follow up on DDD and Medicaid requirements.
• Learn about Support Coordination.
• Identify potential adult supports based on the individual's needs and goals.
• Explore employment, day and community supports, and transportation.
• Discuss the anticipated school exit date with the IEP team.

Before school ends, it helps to understand exactly which adult services have actually been arranged. Children's services do not automatically transfer into adult systems, and each program has its own eligibility and enrollment steps.

https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/individuals/transition/