Jan 19, 2012 0
[1]
Nebraska Roadmap
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STOP 1
At Age 16
- Read our article on Transition [2].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Visit Nebraska's Department of Education [5] website. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma are. In Nebraska, graduation requirements are set at the local level [6]. To graduate with a regular diploma in Nebraska, students do not have to pass exit exams.
- Meet with your child’s IEP team to discuss the Transition Plan. Visit the Wrightslaw [7] website to get a better understanding of your child’s rights at Transition.
- Ask the school’s Transition Services Coordinator or your chlid’s IEP team leader to contact the Nebraska Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation [8] and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request. Visit the VR Transition Program [9] page to get information specifically for high school students.
- Contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities [10] [11]to find out what supports may be available for your child, at what age your child may apply for services, and how long the waiting list is for those services.
- Visit the website of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates [12] (COPAA) if you wish to hire someone to help you advocate with your school system.
STOP 2
At Age 17
- Read our article on Guardianship [13].
- Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Apply for Supplemental Security Income [14] (SSI). Even if your child receives SSI now, he will have to re-apply at age 18.
- Contact the Nebraska Medicaid Program [15] to find out if your child will qualify for Medicaid upon turning 18 and if so, begin application process.
STOP 3
One Year Before High School Graduation
- Read our article on Postsecondary [16] planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
- Read our article on Employment [17].
- Step up working with the Nebraska Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation [8] office.
- Step up working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. [10]
STOP 4
At Age 21
- Read our Housing [18] article.
- Read our article on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
- Read our article on Employment [17].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for their Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit [19].
All Along the Way
- Visit the Autism Speaks Nebraska Resource Guide [20].
- Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Transition Toolkit [21].
- Visit the website of the Autism Society of Nebraska [22].
- Visit the website of the Arc of Nebraska [23].