As students who have IEPs get older and progress through school, their special education program is required to focus more intentionally on preparing that student for life after high school. In Virginia, this school transition planning must begin by age 14, but can begin even earlier.
For students, and their families, the thought of TRANSITIONING from school services to the adult world can be overwhelming. Many are unsure of what is meant by transition services and wonder how to begin planning. There will be many types of plans to consider: education, medical, planning for your child’s income, signing up for services, housing, legal protections for your child, career, planning a social life, and more.
Your family doesn’t have to come up with all the right questions, answers, and put together the goals alone. PEATC is here to help.

PEATC Factsheets & Resource Documents
- 4 Year College Disability Support Services
- Applied Studies Diploma
- Being Involved in Person-Centered Planning for Students and Young Adults with Disabilities in Foster, Kinship, or Adoptive Families
- Centers for Independent Living-Families
- Community College Disability Support Services
- Decision-Making Options
- Graduation Requirements
- Health Care Transition Planning (HTP) and the IEP and IPE
- Health Care Transition Skills Checklist
- Is Guardianship My Only Option? – A Resource Document
- Independent Living Life Skills Checklist Booklet
- Internships – Parent Fact Sheet
- Keeping up with Medicaid Waiver Contacts
- Legal Terms to Know (Future Planning)
- Medicaid Waivers
- Military Entrance after High School
- Parent Engagement in the Transition Process
- Parent Transition Survey
- Paying for College for Students with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
- Person-Centered Planning – Parent Fact Sheet
- Planning for the Future: Choosing the Right Diploma Option
- Planning for Transition IEPs for Children in Foster Care
- Profile of a VA Graduate
- Q&A on Medicaid Waivers
- Self-Advocacy – Parent Fact Sheet
- Self Directed IEPs – A Parent Factsheet
- Social Security Resources
- Specialized College Programs in Virginia for Students with Disabilities
- Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Transition Planning
- Transfer of Rights
- Transition Activities for the IEP
- Transition IEP Case Examples
- Transition IEP Checklist (Access the screen reader accessible version here)
- Transition IEP Foster Care – Youth
- Transition IEP – Parent Fact Sheet
- Transition Planning for the Future Be Ready Start Early
- Turning 18 in Virginia – A Resource Document
- Turning 18 in Virginia – A Resource Document for Military Families
Helpful Transition Related Resources
- ABLEnow
- Center on Transition Innovations at VCU
- Centers for Independent Living in Virginia
- Community Services Board (CSBs) in Virginia
- Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services: Housing Information for People with a Developmental Disability
- How the DD Waiver Works – Arc of Virginia
- My IEP Owner’s Manual – Pacer
- Supported Decision Making Resources – disAbility Law Center of Virginia
- The Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
- Virginia Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental Services – Supported Decision-Making & Supported Decision- Making Agreements
- The Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)
- Virginia Department of Education: Special Education – Transition Services for Students with Disabilities
- Virginia Department of Education: Transfer of Rights for Students with Disabilities upon Reaching the Age of Majority in Virginia
- Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center
What is Supported Decision-Making?
Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is getting help when you need it, from people you trust, so you can make your own decisions. We all use some sort of SDM everyday. Make sure to check out the booklets below and some of our SDM webinars to learn more. Wherever you are on your Supported Decision-Making journey, whether you’re just gathering information or you’re ready to write an Agreement, we can answer your questions or connect you with people and organizations that may be able to help.
Other Helpful Resources:

Youth Empowerment Transition Council
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