Resources for youth

Competitive Integrated Employment Transformation hub
March 27, 2024

From the US Department of Labor.

The Supporting Transformative Change in Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Opportunities for People with Disabilities landing page links to resources to support steps to increase the participation of people with disabilities in CIE. Whether you’re an individual with a disability or family member, employment service provider, state agency or employer our CIE Transformation Hub has practical resources for you.

  • Website, Competitive Integrated Employment Transformation hub

    Competitive Integrated Employment hub


Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative for housing

This federal program offers vouchers for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).  Eligibility includes youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (have not reached their 25th birthday) who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days.

  • Website, Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative for housing

    FYI information from HUD

  • Website, Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative for housing

    Information on FYI program from National Center for Housing and Child Welfare


Turning 18 fact sheets

These fact sheets for youth and young adults focus on critical actions, items and services that are important when a youth turns 18 years of age.

Produced as part of the WAZE to Adulthood project of the Parent Educational Advocacy and Training Center (PEATC). The fact sheet for youth in foster care was written by Formed Families Forward as part of an agreement with the WAZE project.

  • Factsheet, Turning 18 fact sheets

    Youth in Foster Care in Virginia - What Happens When You Turn 18 fact sheet

  • Factsheet, Turning 18 fact sheets

    Turning 18 in Virginia: A Resource Document for families

  • Factsheet, Turning 18 fact sheets

    Turning 18 in Virginia: A Resource Document for Military Families


Youth in Foster Care in Virginia: What Happens When You Turn 18
August 16, 2023

This fact sheet from Formed Families Forward and the WAZE to Adulthood project at PEATC is designed for youth in foster care. It names specific considerations when a youth in foster care turns 18. Links to other Virginia resources are provided.

  • Factsheet, Youth in Foster Care in Virginia: What Happens When You Turn 18

    Youth in Foster Care in Virginia- What Happens when you turn 18 fact sheet


IDEA to ADA: The Difference Between High School and College Accommodations webinar
January 10, 2023

Originally broadcast on January 10, 2023. this webinar was presented by Annie Tulkin, MS, Accessible College LLC.

  • PDF, IDEA to ADA: The Difference Between High School and College Accommodations webinar

    Webinar presentation slides

  • Video, IDEA to ADA: The Difference Between High School and College Accommodations webinar

    Webinar recording

  • Document, IDEA to ADA: The Difference Between High School and College Accommodations webinar

    Accessible College Resources from presenter Annie Tulkin


Transition Planning for Youth in Foster Care fact sheet
November 08, 2022

From FFF and the WAZE to Transition project at PEATC, this fact sheet is designed for youth in foster care. It overviews individualized education programs (IEPs) and foster care transition plans.

A Spanish version of the fact sheet is also available.

  • Factsheet, Transition Planning for Youth in Foster Care fact sheet

    Transition Planning Foster Care Fact Sheet

  • Factsheet, Transition Planning for Youth in Foster Care fact sheet

    Spanish Transition Planning Foster Care Fact Sheet en Espanol


Supported Decision Making resources from Va DBHDS

Shared in 2022, these resources from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services offers youth and families great tools for planning for key medical, housing, social, educational and other supports as youth enter young adulthood.

  • Worksheet, Supported Decision Making resources from Va DBHDS

    Virginia Supported Decision Making Agreement fill-in document

  • Worksheet, Supported Decision Making resources from Va DBHDS

    How to fill out the Virginia Supported Decision Making Agreement document

  • Worksheet, Supported Decision Making resources from Va DBHDS

    Virginia Supported Decision Making Discovery Tool

  • Worksheet, Supported Decision Making resources from Va DBHDS

    Virginia Supported Decision Making Relationship Map

  • Worksheet, Supported Decision Making resources from Va DBHDS

    Plain language authorization for education release of information

  • Worksheet, Supported Decision Making resources from Va DBHDS

    Plain language authorization for medical release of information


IEP Transition Planning In Virginia: Tips To Know For Youth With IEPs Who Are In Foster Care
April 04, 2022

A product of the WAZE to Adulthood project, developed by Formed Families Forward. This fact sheet offers tips and best practices for implementing strong transition planning for youth and young adults with disabilities who are also in foster care. Virginia-specific policies and resources are provided.

Designed for parents, caregivers, professional partners and others.

  • Factsheet, IEP Transition Planning In Virginia: Tips To Know For Youth With IEPs Who Are In Foster Care


Who’s on the IEP Team resources

From the WAZE to Adulthood project at PEATC, these fact sheets support parents/caregivers and students in understanding all roles and the members of an IEP team.

  • Factsheet, Who’s on the IEP Team resources

    Who is on My IEP visual for students

  • Factsheet, Who’s on the IEP Team resources

    Who is on my IEP team fact sheet for students

  • Factsheet, Who’s on the IEP Team resources

    Roles around the IEP Table sheet for parents/caregivers


Charting the LifeCourse

Charting the LifeCourse is designed to be used for individuals with disabilities, family members, or in the work individuals do. The framework and tools will help organize ideas, vision, and goals, as well as problem-solve, navigate, and advocate for supports. The LifeCourse Nexus website provides links to resources and information for individuals, families and professionals, including e-learning modules.

  • Website, Charting the LifeCourse

    Charting the LifeCourse Tools website


Self Advocacy fact sheet

From the PEATC Planning Your Future series, this 2 page fact sheet is designed for youth and explains what is self-advocacy and offers suggestions for increasing it.

  • PDF, Self Advocacy fact sheet

    Self Advocacy Fact Sheet for youth


Supported Decision Making Library

From The Arc of Northern Virginia, a collection of resources on supported decision making, an array of services and procedures to support adults with disabilities into adulthood, often as an alternative to Guardianship.

  • Website, Supported Decision Making Library

    Supported Decision Making resources


Ticket to Work program for adults

Do you receive disability cash benefits (SSDI or SSI) from Social Security?
Are you between 18 and 64 years old?
Are you looking to find meaningful and substantial work?
Are you ready to test your ability to work and replace your cash benefits with earnings?
If you answered YES to all of the above, Ticket to Work might be for you!

  • Website, Ticket to Work program for adults


IEP Tip Sheets for Youth

From the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research, these TEST tip sheets are designed for youth and young adults who have individualized education programs (IEPs). One focuses on preparing for an IEP meeting and another focused on identifying community partners to participate in IEP meetings and transition planning.

  • Factsheet, IEP Tip Sheets for Youth

    You Got This: Taking a Leadership Role in Your IEP Meeting

  • Factsheet, IEP Tip Sheets for Youth

    I've Got my Crew: Inviting Community Partners to your IEP Meeting


My Future website

A website produced by the Department of Defense with data from the Departments of CommerceEducation and Labor. Site offers information and tools on post-high school career, education and military options.

  • Website, My Future website


Practice Guides for Transitions for Students with Emotional Disorders

Resources from a Translating Evidence to Support Transitions (TEST) grant is to increase the use and adoption of research-based best practices in transition planning services for high school students with emotional and behavioral disorders receiving special education services.

Scroll down page to find Practice Guides, Presentations and other resources.

  • Website, Practice Guides for Transitions for Students with Emotional Disorders


Social Security Benefits for Children and Adolscents

A great one page comparison table for families and professionals from the Center for Transition Innovations at VCU.

  • Factsheet, Social Security Benefits for Children and Adolscents


PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment

The road to adulthood for youth with disabilities is filled with opportunity, and parents play a key role. PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment is ready with the information families want, presented in a way families can use. The site features a wide array of transition-related resources for families and youth.

  • Website, PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment


Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures

At Portland State University, the Pathways to Positive Futures center aims to improve the lives of youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions through rigorous research and effective training and dissemination. Our work is guided by the perspectives of young people and their families, and based in a positive development framework.

  • Website, Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures


So You’re 18

These resources from the Virginia State Bar help young adults and their families understand what rights and responsibilities occur at age 18 in the state.

A downloadable and hard copy Guide is available. There is also a So You’re 18 website.

In Virginia, 18 is the age of majority, when a person is no longer a legal minor and now has full legal responsibility. These resources help youth and families understand some of the rights and obligations as an adult and to help avoid some of the pitfalls facing young adults as you take on legal responsibilities.

  • Website, So You’re 18

    Info about the Guide

  • Website, So You’re 18

    Link to the So You're 18 website