Transition to Adulthood

Education

Augie Access
augie.edu
605-274-4926
Young adults 18-24 years of age with intellectual and developmental disabilities are encouraged to apply and participate in Augie Access, a post-secondary education pilot program. Information and application can be found at the website.

Catch the Wave, Transition Services Liaison Project
tslp.org
800-224-5336
Pierre 605-224-5336
A day of university orientation for high school students with disabilities who are considering postsecondary education. TSLP provides information, training and liaison to encourage students with disabilities to complete their education and succeed in independence.

Going to College.org
going-to-college.org
Information for high school students with a disability who are, or will be attending college. The site contains video clips, activities, and resources that can help students explore more about themselves, learn what to expect from college, and examine important considerations and tasks to complete when planning for college.

LifeQuest – Dakota Wesleyan University Post-Secondary Program
lifequestsd.com
605-996-2032
A post-secondary 2 year certification program for transition students 18-21 with intellectual or developmental disabilities who have an IEP and are seeking to gain independence and employment skills.

National Center for Secondary Education and Transition
ncset.org
NCSET coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance and distributes information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities to achieve successful futures.

National Deaf Center of Postsecondary Education
nationaldeafcenter.org
Information, resources, and personal assistance to support successful transition from high school to life beyond.

Project Search – Aberdeen, Brookings, Rapid City, Sioux Falls
dhs.sd.gov
Designed as an internship program, Project SEARCH provides students the opportunity to put employability skills into practice. For five days a week, students report to the host business and learn employability skills in the classroom and job skills while participating in targeted internships. They receive support with accommodations, adaptations, and on-the-job coaching. Students who have completed all academic requirements for graduation from high school may apply for enrollment in Project SEARCH. Participants must be 18 to 21 years old.

We Connect Now
weconnectnow.wordpress.com
We Connect Now is dedicated to uniting people interested in rights and issues affecting people with disabilities, with particular emphasis on college students and access to higher education and employment issues.

Health Care

Adolescent Health Transition Project
depts.washington.edu
Information, materials, and links designed to help smooth the transition from pediatric to adult health care for adolescents with special health care needs.

Children's Special Health Services
Please refer to page 18

Got Transition?
gottransition.org
National resource center focusing on a young adult’s transition from pediatric to adult health care.

Institute for Child Health Policy Videos
youtube.com/ichpvideos
Videos for young adults, featuring young adults, to support independence in managing personal health care and transitioning to adult health care providers.

Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD)
Please refer to page 20.

Personal Assistance Services (PAS)
Please refer to page 21.

Social Security Administration
Please refer to page 57.

Legal Obligations, Rights & Assistance

Establishment Program, SD Department of Human Services
dhs.sd.gov
800-265-9684
The Establishment Program assists families or friends of adults with developmental disabilities who reside in South Dakota pay legal costs up to $500 associated with establishing a guardianship or conservatorship.

Selective Service System
sss.gov
888-655-1825
847-688-6888 (TTY)
Men ages 18-25 living in the US must register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. It’s the law. You may be denied benefits or a job if you have not registered. Registration may be done at any US Post Office or on-line.

South Dakota Advocacy Services
sdadvocacy.com
800-658-4782 (Voice/TTY)
Pierre 605-224-8294 (Voice/TTY)
SDAS provides information, referrals and representation to help protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

Youth Development, Leadership & Peer Support

A Life 4 Me Cyber Community

alife4me.com
A Life 4 Me has activities and resources for middle school youth with disabilities and parents. It is a project of Virginia Commonwealth University and Partnership for People with Disabilities.

Augustana FRIENDSLink

augie.edu/friendslink
facebook.com/AugieFLink
Sioux Falls 605-999-1224
605-940-8328
FRIENDSLink provides an avenue for adults with disabilities (ages 18+) to establish friendships on an ongoing basis. Several small group and one-on-one educational and recreational opportunities are available each month, ranging from 1 to 3 hours in length, through a partnership with Augustana students. Email friendslink@augie.edu

Disability.gov

disability.gov
Provides students fast facts on their disability, legal rights, community life, employment, etc. Self-knowledge is crucial for students with disabilities to succeed in post-secondary life.

Friends’ Health Connection

friendshealthconnection.org
This free online community is for individuals with health challenges, and caregivers, to find and support one another.

Kids As Self Advocates

fvkasa.org
207-458-1009
KASA is a national, grassroots project created by youth with disabilities for youth 13-24. KASA knows youth can make choices and advocate for themselves if they have the information and support they need. Joining is free for youth and open to anyone.

National Youth Leadership Network & Resource Clearinghouse

National Youth Leadership Network

nyln.org
Online clearinghouse/library/archive of curriculums, training guides, and empowerment tools created by and for young leaders.

NYLN Resource Clearinghouse
nyln.org
Resources for youth with disabilities in the areas of education, employment, health care, disability history, disability culture, advocacy, policy, material by and for young people with disabilities, international exchange, documents from NYLN and KASA (Kids as Self Advocates), scholarships and financial aid for students with disabilities, and more.

Partners in Policymaking, SD Advocacy Services

Please refer to page 48.

People First of Southeastern South Dakota (PFSESD)

facebook.com/People-First-of-Southeastern-South-Dakota
People First of Southeastern South Dakota is a self-advocacy group for adults with developmental disabilities from Brookings, Madison, and Sioux Falls. Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, and are open to the public. Anyone can come, anytime. No need to register. Meeting locations vary, please check the website.

Youth Leadership Forum, Transition Services Liaison Project

tslp.org
800-224-5336
Pierre 605-224-533
A unique career and leadership training program for South Dakota high school juniors and seniors to learn more about self advocacy skills, disability awareness and more.

Independence & Community Living

Aging and Disability Resource Connections (ADRC)

dss.sd.gov
Mitchell area 855-315-1988
Pierre area 855-642-3055
Rapid City area 855-315-1986
Sioux Falls area 877-660-0301
Watertown area 855-315-1987

Trained staff assist individuals over 18 years old with physical disabilities who are seeking home and community service options, regardless of income.

Autism After 16

autismafter16.com
Information on transition, post-secondary issues, employment, housing, finances and community living. Applicable for students with many disabilities.

Family Support 360 PLANS, Division of Developmental Disabilities

dhs.sd.gov
Pierre 605-773-3438
Offers a limited pool of funds to be used for supports and services chosen and directed by each person including (but not limited to) personal care and supplies, adaptive equipment, home modifications, supported employment, respite care, companion care, community living and independent living skills.

Independent Living Centers (ILC)

Independent Living Choices
ilcchoices.org
800-947-3770
ILC has the following programs to support independence: adaptive devices program; advocacy; assistive daily living services; home modification; independent living skills; information and referral services; peer support program; summer transition program; telecommunication adaptive devices; and other programs.

Sioux Falls
605-362-3550
Serving Lincoln, McCook, Moody, Minnehaha and Turner Counties

Aberdeen
605-626-2976
Serving Brown, Edmunds, McPherson, Campbell, Walworth, Potter, Marshall and Day Counties

Chamberlain
605-995-8140
Serving Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Douglas and Gregory Counties

Madison
605-256-5070
Serving Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake and Miner Counties

Huron
605-353-6710
Serving Faulk, Spink, Hyde, Hand and Beadle Counties

Mitchell
605-995-8141
Serving Aurora, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, and Sanborn Counties

Watertown
605-882-5249
Serving Codington, Clark, Hamlin, Deuel, Grant, and Roberts Counties

Yankton
605-668-2940
Serving Bon Homme, Clay, Hutchinson, Union, and Yankton Counties

Western Resources for Independent Living (WRIL)

wril.org
888-434-4943
Pierre 605-494-4005
Rapid City 605-718-1930
Spearfish 605-559-0500
WRIL provides services to make it possible for people with disabilities to live as independently as they choose in the community. Independent Living Specialists offer the following services: individual and systems advocacy program; information and referrals; independent living skills; peer support; children’s services (supplementing learning & independence skills); home modifications; housing assistance; mobility training; employment services; recreational services; technology adaptive services; transportation services; youth transition services (ages 12-24). Adult day services available in Rapid City and Spearfish. WRDI serves Butte, Custer, Fall River, Haakon, Harding, Hughes, Jackson, Jones, Lawrence, Lyman, Mellette, Pennington, Perkins, Stanley, Sulley and Tripp counties.

socialsecurity.gov
800-772-1213
800-325-0778 (TTY)
Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid health insurance can be provided to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources if they meet certain criteria. www.ssa.gov/pgm/getservices-apply.htm Apply for SSI, Survivor or Family benefits.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROVIDERS

Community Support Providers across South Dakota provide residential options for people, such as group homes and supervised apartments. Community living training and residential expanded follow-along are also provided for those who are living on their own or are working toward that goal. Vocational opportunities may include working in the agency workshop, job coaching and pre-vocational training for participants looking for community jobs and vocational expanded follow-along for those working in the community.

Transition to Adulthood

Questions?