Got Transition Releases New Resources for Young Adults and Health Care Providers

December 15, 2015

Got Transition has partnered with the Office of Disability Employment (Department of Labor) and the Youth Transitions Collaborative to create a Transition QuickGuide for youth and young adults (ages 12-30), including those with disabilities and chronic health conditions. The QuickGuide includes information and resources about health insurance, self-care management, transition from pediatric to adult health care, decision-making, and career planning to help young people manage their health care needs in order to make their career goals a reality. A related joint letter from ODEP and HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau emphasizes the importance of expanding access to health care services and work-based experiences for youth with chronic health conditions and disabilities.

They have also released a new tip sheet to guide adult health care providers in receiving new young adult patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) into their practice. Written by Dr. Carl Cooley of Crotched Mountain Foundation and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine and Dr. Thomas Cheetham of Tennessee's Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Vanderbilt University, this resource provides suggestions for preparing the office and staff for welcoming new young adults with ID/DD, including training and consumer engagement. It also offers tips for what to do before, during, and after the young adult's first visit.