Transition Planning for Youth & Young Adults

If you’re a young person with a developmental disability, moving to adulthood can be a challenge. If you’re the parent, guardian, or caregiver of a young person with a developmental disability, helping them move towards adulthood can be just as challenging. A Navigator can help you and your family with this transition. 

Services to Adults with Developmental Disabilities (STADD) is a partnership among;

• Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)
• Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR)
• Schools and school districts
• Delegated Aboriginal Agencies (DAAs)
• Community Living BC (CLBC)
• WorkBC Employment Service Centres
• Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training (AEST)
• Health Authorities
• Public Guardian and Trustee
• Various other community organizations.

A Navigator can help you plan for the future and on your journey to becoming an adult. Everyone is different, and your Navigator can help you meet your own goals and needs. They can help connect you with supports from government and your community.

Eligibility 

This service may be right for you if you:

• Have a Developmental Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
• Are between 16 and 24 years old
• Would like help planning for your future

Planning

Your Navigator meets with you and your family to discuss your goals, hopes and dreams as you get older. The Navigator helps you connect to the supports and services so you can reach those goals.

With a Navigator, you can:

• Identify your future goals
• Talk about if you want to go to school or find a job
• Plan where you want to live
• Discuss hobbies and activities you want to do
• Bring together any supports you might already have
• Find government and community services that are right for you
• Share your story with other people who can help

Your Team

Your Navigator gets to know you and those who support you, such as family and friends. They can help you form a planning team and coordinate supports and services from government and agencies.

Your team may include:

• You
• People who are important to you, like your family, caregivers, or guardians
• Teachers
• Social workers
• Therapists
• Counsellors
• Government support workers
• Doctors and nurses

When you’re done, you will have a plan that’s all about you.

Your Plan 

Your plan will show:

• Big goals (like having enough money to live on your own)
• Milestones, which are medium-sized steps that help you meet your big goals (like getting a job)
• Action items, which are small steps that help you meet your milestones (like writing a resume)

Privacy 

You and your planning team will use an online tool called Collaborate. You’ll use this tool to share ideas, your goals and steps you want to take. Only you and your team will be able to see what you’ve shared. 

Please visit the Find a Navigator page for more information.