October 5, 2026 | Checklists
Graduation is a milestone worth celebrating — and for families of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it’s also the start of a major transition. The structure of school ends, and adult services begin. The families who plan ahead have a much smoother experience. Here’s a checklist to start with.
Begin early — by age 14 to 16. Transition planning works best when it starts years before graduation, not months. Schools are required to include transition goals in the IEP, but the adult-service side takes time to line up.
Get DDD eligibility determined. The New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is the doorway to adult services. Eligibility has to be established before services can start, and the paperwork takes time — don’t wait until senior year.
Explore employment and day programs. What does a meaningful week look like after school? Options include supported employment, day habilitation programs, and community-based activities. Visit programs, ask questions, and think about what fits the person’s interests — not just what’s closest.
Think about housing. Even if a move isn’t imminent, understanding the options early (a group home or your own place with a housing voucher) means you’re ready when the time comes. Waitlists are long.
Sort out transportation. How will the person get to work, programs, and community activities? Look into NJ TRANSIT’s Access Link paratransit service, county transportation programs, and travel training.
Plan for decision-making. At 18, the person is legally an adult. Families should understand the options — from full guardianship to limited guardianship to supported decision-making — and choose the least restrictive option that keeps the person safe.
Line up benefits. SSI, Medicaid, and DDD funding each have their own applications and timelines. Getting these in place before graduation avoids gaps in coverage.
Build the Individual Service Plan (ISP). The ISP is the roadmap for adult services — goals, supports, and providers. A support coordinator helps put it together and keeps it updated as needs change.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Transition touches schools, state agencies, providers, and benefits systems all at once. A support coordinator’s job is to stand next to your family through all of it — connecting the pieces, explaining the options, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Who we serve — a quick note. Spectrum provides support coordination for adults in New Jersey’s DDD Supports Program and Community Care Program. Both are for adults 21 and older who are determined eligible for DDD services and qualify for Medicaid. The Supports Program has no waiting list and is for people living in their own home or with family. The Community Care Program has a waiting list and is for people who meet an institutional level of care — including those in licensed settings like group homes. Not enrolled yet? The first step is applying through DDD at nj.gov/humanservices/ddd.
Starting to plan the move from school to adult services, and your family is in (or entering) the Supports Program or Community Care Program? Our Support Coordinators do this work every day. If your current agency isn’t giving you this kind of guidance, you have the right to switch — call (973) 530-4155 or reach out through our contact form.