When the Bell Rings for the Last Time: Transitioning from High School to Adult IDD Services

# When the Bell Rings for the Last Time: Transitioning from High School to Adult IDD Services

*By Dr. LaTonya Lee Niang, EdD, LCAS, CCS, LCADC, ICCS, SAP*

*Founder, Caregivers Academy | Chief Clinical Officer, Comp Serv Health Resources*

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For many families caring for a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), the last day of high school is not a celebration — it's a cliff.

One day, services are in place. The school knows your child. There's a routine, a team, a plan. Then your child turns 22, or they walk across the stage, and suddenly the safety net that has held your family for years is gone. No automatic referrals. No case manager calling you. Just a stack of pamphlets and a waiting list.

If this is your family's season, I want you to hear this clearly: **the transition out of school is survivable — but it requires planning, and it requires starting early.**

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## Why Transition Planning Matters

Federal law (IDEA — the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) requires that transition planning begin by age 16, sometimes earlier. But knowing it's required and knowing what to *do* with that requirement are two very different things.

The shift from school-based services to adult services is one of the most significant and complex changes a family with a loved one with IDD will ever navigate. The systems are different, the funding streams are different, and — most importantly — the services are no longer automatic. In the adult system, **families must advocate to access.**

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## Key Services to Know and Pursue Before Graduation

**1. Medicaid Waiver Services (CAP/DA in NC)**

North Carolina's Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) is one of the primary pathways to home and community-based services for adults with IDD. These services include Community Living Support (CLS), Respite, and more. **Apply early — waitlists can be long.**

**2. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVRS)**

Vocational Rehabilitation supports individuals with disabilities in gaining and maintaining employment. Services can include job training, assistive technology, job placement, and supported employment. Begin this process *before* your loved one leaves school — ideally by age 16.

**3. Community Living Support (CLS)**

CLS provides in-home support and skill-building assistance for individuals with IDD living in the community. It is designed to support independence, safety, and quality of life outside of institutional settings.

**4. Respite Services**

Respite gives family caregivers a planned break while ensuring your loved one is safe and supported. This is not a luxury — it is a lifeline. Ask about it specifically. Many families don't know to ask.

**5. ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) Therapy**

For individuals who qualify, ABA services continue into adulthood and can support skill development, behavioral goals, and daily living independence.

**6. Day Programs and Supported Employment**

Adult day programs and supported employment options fill the structured time that school once provided. These vary widely in quality — visit programs in person and ask detailed questions about staffing, programming, and person-centered planning.

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## Steps Every Family Should Take Before the Last Day of School

- **Request a transition IEP meeting** at least 2 years before graduation or aging out

- **Contact your county's LME/MCO** (in Brunswick County, that is Trillium Health Resources) to understand eligibility and begin the Medicaid Waiver application process

- **Connect with Disability Rights NC** — a free resource that helps families understand legal rights during the transition process

- **Build your support team** beyond school — a care manager, a behavioral support specialist, and a provider you trust

- **Document everything** — evaluations, assessments, behavior plans, and medical records become your family's foundation in the adult system

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## A Word to the Caregiver

I know how exhausting this season feels. You've spent years fighting for your child inside the school system, and now you're being told to start over in an entirely new one. You didn't sign up to become a systems navigator — you signed up to be a parent.

But here's what I've learned walking alongside families in this work: **the families who start early, ask the hard questions, and connect with knowledgeable supports come out on the other side with more options, more dignity, and more peace.**

You don't have to do this alone. Caregivers Academy exists to make sure you don't have to.

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## Resources

- **Trillium Health Resources** (LME/MCO for Brunswick County and surrounding areas): [www.trilliumhealthresources.org](https://www.trilliumhealthresources.org)

- **NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services**: [www.ncdhhs.gov/dvrs](https://www.ncdhhs.gov/dvrs)

- **Disability Rights NC**: [www.disabilityrightsnc.org](https://www.disabilityrightsnc.org)

- **NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services**: [www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mhddsus](https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mhddsus)

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*"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."* — Jeremiah 29:11

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**Dr. LaTonya Lee Niang, EdD** is the founder of Caregivers Academy and Chief Clinical Officer of Comp Serv Health Resources, a behavioral health and IDD services provider serving Brunswick County, NC and beyond. Caregivers Academy is dedicated to educating, equipping, and empowering caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental differences.

📍 Brunswick County, NC | 🌐 compservhealth.com