The South Carolina Partnership for Inclusive and Healthy Adult Transitions (SCPIHAT) for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disab
Project Description:
Transition means movement and change. Adolescence is a time of many transitions, such as moving from a high school setting to a postsecondary education setting, from a family home to a home by themselves or with adult peers, and from a students roles to an employees roles. One of the most under-explored areas of transition planning for youth with ID/DD is the movement from a pediatric health care system to an adult health care system. Thinking and talking about health and medical issues and the requirement to transition into the adult health care system are frequently overlooked during IEP and transition planning meetings. As a result, adolescents and their families may have many questions - questions that remain unasked and unanswered: Do I need to find another doctor? If I find a job without health insurance, will I lose my Medicaid? What if I have a seizure at work? Who will help me dress if I live in a college dorm? Where will I go to have my wheelchair repaired? Who will manage my childs medication sched-ule? Who has medical power of attorney? If I have children, will they inherit my med-ical conditions?
SCPIHAT believes that: 1) seamless transition from a pediatric health care system to an adult health care system is a critical foundation for healthy adulthood; and 2) person-centered health and medical care planning, along with self-determination abilities will enable adolescents to successfully transition into the adult health care system and pursue more inclusive adult opportunities.
The goal of SCPIHAT is to develop an implementation plan to address health and medical care barriers for transition-aged youth with ID/DD by identifying needs and strengths. The goal will be addressed by convening medical providers, families, patients with ID/DD, self-advocates, educators, and other developmental disabilities professionals in order to comprehensively assess the barriers and strengths of current services in South Carolina.
To accomplish its goal within the 12-month timeframe, SCPIHAT will: 1) Convene a state-level partnership to guide the project; 2) Convene regional and topic-specific focus groups and provide on-line surveys to all constituent groups to identify barriers and strengths; 3) Articulate a 3-5 year vision of seamless transition from a pediatric health care system to an adult health care system; and 4) design and distribute a comprehensive 3-5 year plan to address barriers and enhance strengths identified across South Carolina.
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
