With the passage of Chapter 688, Massachusetts requires that starting when an eligible student is 14, the school district must plan for the student’s need for transition services. Transition planning continues throughout the high school years as students prepare to journey into an inclusive adult life. Here are some helpful transition resources for professionals and to share with families.
Massachusetts Chapter 688, also known as the “turning 22” law, provides a planning process for young adults with severe disabilities as they leave special education and transition into the adult service system
Trying to locate a transition planning workshop near you?
All Parent Training and Information Center workshops are open to the public and free to attend.
Pre-ETS programming is available to students aged 14 – 22 with a documented disability who are enrolled in high school or post-secondary education/training.
The goal of Pre-ETS is to help students with disabilities explore, increase awareness, and prepare for post-secondary employment and education options through 5 core services:
Phone: 617-338-6665
Email: bcilyouthservices@bostoncil.org
Here are some opportunities of available programs for students that will assist with self-advocacy skills, independent living skills, and making healthy choices.
An advocacy resources to Boston families and transition-age youth, 14 – 22, who have disabilities. These resources will help to ensure that the school district meets federal and state special education requirements and provides high quality transition program for its youth with disabilities. Provides community workshops, free technical assistance, legal advice and referral, free legal advocacy and administrative advocacy.
Phone: 617-357-8431 for information /workshops
Phone: 617-357-8431 x 3224 for help with your child
Planning for a Career in Art after High School
Gateway Arts provides transitional services for young adults with disabilities, preparing them for professional careers.
This service is an opportunity for individuals to cultivate pre-vocational skills, enhance their self-esteem, and transition successfully to a career in the arts.To apply: Contact Ted Lampe.
Phone: 617-734-1577 x 10
Email: lampet@vinfen.org
If you or a family member has a severe disability or multiple disabilities, Supported Living Programs case coordinators can work with you to create a customized service plan.
Supported Living Programs include the Transition to Adult Program (TAP) and Turning 22 (T22) Program, which help students with disabilities transition to adult life after school.
The TAP program, funded by MassAbility is offered through six independent living centers and provides peer mentoring, independent living skills and self-advocacy services to special education students (ages 14 – 22) regardless of type of disability. If a student is interested in receiving independent living skills training through the TAP while in school, contact: Anna Hermann, Independent Living Programs Supervisor.
Phone: 617-204-3786
Email: Anna.Hermann@state.ma.us
Offers a variety of community-based education activities for teens and young adults (ages 13 – 22).
Phone: 781-860-1900.
Email: mghaspire@partners.org
High school students with disabilities, their families and educators are given tools to help achieve their vision. Assistive technology, rehabilitation therapy, vocational evaluation, career skills development, job placement, on-the-job training, Independent living-skills, social and recreational opportunities are just a few of offerings.
Phone: 800-244-2756
Email: transition@eastersealsma.org
The Career Readiness Program is a career development program for urban youth, ages 14 – 24, with disabilities and their peers without disabilities. To enroll contact your MRC counselor.
Phone: 617-556-4075
Email: rrubin@pyd.org
Access to Theater is a series of interactive discussions and recreational activities designed to help adolescents and young adults, ages 14 – 22, with disabilities and special health care needs prepare for adult life. Access to Theater is an award-winning inclusive theater program for teens and young adults. Its purpose is to develop communication, artistic, and leadership skills, and lasting professional and personal friendships. It is held over the summer as a two-week theater camp, and throughout the year as a weekend program.
Massachusetts Chapter 688 of the Acts of 1983 (also known as the “Turning 22 Law”) stipulates that a student receiving special education, who because of the severity of his or her impairment may require continued disability-related services upon exiting school (by graduating or turning twenty-two years of age, whichever occurs first), shall be offered specific, coordinated transition planning. As such, the statute establishes the Bureau of Transitional Planning (BTP). The primary function of the BTP is to insure that for all students referred under Chapter 688, formal transition planning occurs in accordance with the process and outcomes described in the statute.
This 192 page guidance and career counselors’ toolkit resource contains answers to counselors’ most frequently asked questions about post-secondary opportunities for students with disabilities. Students and their families are encouraged use the toolkit to help guide their transition planning for college and career. It has been vetted by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tips in transition planning for students and parents from The Asperger’s / Autism Network (AANE).
Transition support for students with physical disabilities and health conditions
Topics covered include self-advocacy skills, legal issues, housing and employment options.
Provides resources for helping to navigate the transition from school to work process for students.
Developed by the Central Transition Team to coordinate information about the state agencies and other resources in central Massachusetts that may be involved in planning and providing transition services.
JobTIPS Student Version! (DEMO VERSION) is designed to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other learning differences explore career interests, see & obtain employment and successfully maintain employment.
A national resource for health care professionals, families, youth, and state policy makers focusing on a young adult’s transition from pediatric to adult health care.
Transition is about planning for life. The transition your son or daughter will make from school to adult life in the community is a long journey beginning at age 14 through 22 years. Transition services include post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated and supported employment, adult services, independent living and community participation.
This publication was written by staff from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Website provides access to searchable databases of existing college options.
This site from Department of Elementary & Secondary Education provides helpful guidance on transition for both the students and their families.
This downloadable brochure was prepared by Arc of Massachusetts. It gives timelines and what parents can do to prepare for their child’s transition.
Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) fact sheets for family members and support providers of youth with disabilities who are transitioning to competitive integrated employment.
Be sure to check out the Autism Consortium’s extremely helpful manual for youth with ASDs over age 12.
A road map to emotional health at college which helps parents of child with mental health condition and students themselves.
MassAbility is an agency that is here to guide you through the transition from high school to your options of independent living and work. We will assist you in identifying your strengths, interests, and areas where you may need more support.
Provides information, strategies, and resources to transition navigators – teachers, counselors, family members, and community providers – – to guide youth on the move.
UMass Chan Medical School’s Mental Health Transition tip sheets, information and materials are accessible to diverse audiences. If you need a publication or product in an alternative format, please send a request to TransitionsACR@umassmed.edu
Fact Sheet last updated on: 10/7/2024
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Disclaimer: INDEX is pleased to provide you this information. Please note, this information is not comprehensive, nor is it intended to take the place of professional advice. We encourage you to check other resources of such information. No endorsement by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, DisabilityInfo.org, INDEX, or affiliates, should be inferred. We reserve the right to remove, to modify, or to add any information at any time, for any reason, and without notice.