After High School...? BUILDING on Today for Tomorrow. Designing and Implementing a Community-Based, Family-Centered Transition Planning Project. A Manual for Professionals, Parents, and Youth with Disabilities.

This manual on development of transition planning programs/services for high school youth with disabilities and their families is based on the premises that both youth and family members need to be actively involved in every step of the transition planning process, that empowered families can access necessary transition and adult services needed for adult community participation, and that transition planning should be student-centered and family-focused. The framework of the BUILDING project ensures that transition requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act are fully implemented. The BUILDING project provides the following services to each family: individualized assistance in formulating transition plans in the areas of employment, postsecondary training, residential options, recreation/leisure, income support, transportation, medical services, insurance, and advocacy/self-advocacy; assistance to ensure that transition goals become part of the Individualized Education Plan; assistance in future planning; information services; support groups; training; and case coordination. The manual outlines roles and responsibilities of key personnel, project evaluation methods, project dissemination activities, and project replication strategies. Appendixes provide project materials, including checklist, survey and evaluation forms; lists of resource organizations; and summaries of transition-related legislation. (JDD)