Post-Secondary & Adult Planning

Job Corps

Please contact your school counselor for more information on this federally funded program that can provide you your high school diploma, employment skills and employment for those up to age 24 years of age.  Information can be found at https://www.jobcorps.gov/

College Options for Students with Disabilities- Click on the college to see each schools' website.

• Landmark College- Putney, VT 

• Beacon College- Leesburg, FL

• Mitchell College- New London, CT

• Hofstra Universtiy- Hempstead, NY

20 Great Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities

Did you know that your son/daughter becomes a legal adult according to the law when he/she turns 18 years old? 

• This means their special education rights and decisions become theirs.

• If you feel your son/daughter is not ready to make educational, medical, or financial decisions without assistance you may want to consider applying for voluntary conservatorship or guardianship. 

• Please see the manuals below for assistance or call your local probate court for assistance.

• http://www.ctprobate.gov/Pages/Probate-Court-Forms.aspx?type=IntellectualDisability

According to the State Department of Developmental Services(https://portal.ct.gov/DDS):

 "When persons in the State of Connecticut turns 18 years of age, they are considered to be an adult.  That means they can make decisions about their lives such as where they live; medical treatment; educational or vocational opportunities; how they spend their money and who has access to their records.

In Connecticut legal guardianship has to be obtained through Probate Court before a parent, family member or others can make decisions for a person with an intellectual disability.  Not every person with an intellectual disability needs a legal guardian.  There are different types of guardianship, including plenary (full), limited, and standby of person and/or estate.

The legal guardian's role is to help a person make the best decision for himself/herself, not to dictate how he or she should live their life.

The application process can be started before the person turns 18, though the person must be 18 years of age at the time of the hearing to decide the matter of guardianship."

Post-Secondary and Adult Resources

• Department of Aging and Disability Services-The Department of Aging and Disability Services offers many programs and services to help older adults and people with disabilities. https://portal.ct.gov/AgingandDisability/Content-Pages/Main/Apply-for-Services

• Department of Developmental Services (DDS)-  https://portal.ct.gov/DDS/Legal/Eligibility/Eligibility-for-DDS-Services

  • People can apply at any age, as long as there is evidence that the condition existed prior to age 18. 

  • The applicant will be asked to send a copy of his or her birth certificate and medical insurance card.

  • All information that applicants submit is kept strictly confidential.  They will be asked to submit school, medical, psychological and psychiatric records.  If there are Social Security Disability records, please include those as well.

  • The applicant or his representative will be asked to complete the release forms included in the application.  He or she sends them to the school, doctor, etc. The signed release forms give permission to make copies of records and asks the school or professional to send the records directly to the Eligibility Unit.

  • To be found eligible for services, the person must reside in Connecticut.  The person's IQ score must be 69 or less.  At the same time, the person must have deficits in adaptive functioning.  People with a diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome are also eligible.  Adaptive functioning includes communication, social activities, relationships, and daily living skills such as handling money, cooking, dressing, and grooming.

  • There are no deadlines for submitting information, but the sooner the file is complete, the sooner a determination is made.

• Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) Level Up Program- Provides students aged 16-21 with the tools, training and resources to work competitively and forge a path to independence. Working together we are building relationships with schools, families and the community and have created a collaborative partnership that introduces students who have an IEP, 504 plan or related challenges to new possibilities. Our goal is to help students be prepared to go out and find their place in the world.- https://portal.ct.gov/AgingandDisability/Content-Pages/Programs/Level-Up

  • BRS is open to all graduating students who may need post-secondary assistance in finding and maintaining employment.  They typically work with young adults who have disabilities in their last two years of high school. 

• Our school would be happy to make a referral for any qualifying graduate or post-graduate still attending RHAM.

• Students who have graduated and taken their diploma can contact BRS and inquire to receive a referral packet.

• Contact Ms. Christine Jakubiec, Transition Coordinator, or a BRS liaison to talk about when it might be best for you to apply. 

Independent Living Program

The Bureau’s Independent Living (IL) program provides comprehensive independent living services, through contracts with Connecticut’s five community-based independent living centers (ILCs). https://portal.ct.gov/AgingandDisability/Content-Pages/Programs/Independent-Living-Program

DDS STEP Program

STEP stands for Supporting Transformation to Empower People.  DDS has a variety of service options that can help meet a person’s support needs by assisting them in reaching their goals. Find more information at their website: https://portal.ct.gov/DDS/STEP/STEP

STEP’s seven core supports:

• Individualized Home Support (IHS)

• Supportive Housing

• Community Companion Home (CCH)

• Assistive Technology (AT)

• Remote Supports

• Employment

• Self-Direction

Watch a video about STEP here.

Birth to Three Services

Birth to Three supports families when they have concerns about their children's development. Individuals and families interested in applying for services for children from birth to age 3 should visit https://www.birth23.org/ or call 1-800-505-7000 for more information.