Empowering Your Transition to Life After High School
This resource provides a high-level summary to help individuals and families learn about and connect to transition services for which they may be eligible as students plan for their transition from high school. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for disability support resources and agencies to establish meaningful connections with transition services, thereby supporting individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment. It is not intended to include all transition resources, many of which are available through local counties.
Download the Transition Map in more languages.
Empowering Your Transition to Life After High School
What is the Washington State Transition Map?
This resource provides a high-level summary to help individuals and families learn about and connect to transition services for which they may be eligible as students plan for their transition from high school. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for disability support resources and agencies to establish meaningful connections with transition services, thereby supporting individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment. It is not intended to include all transition resources, many of which are available through local counties.
Download the Transition Map in more languages above.
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): Individualized Education Program Transition Plan
Who is Eligible?
All students with an Individualized Education Program will have a Transition Plan in place by age 16. Special Education is available to eligible students from pre-kindergarten until the age of 22, based on the results of a comprehensive special education evaluation conducted at their school.
What does it Include?
An Individualized Education Program Transition Plan includes:
- Transition assessment
- Appropriate and measurable post-secondary goals
- Individualized transition services
- Relevant course of study and annual IEP goals
- Coordinated services with adult agencies
How does it help individuals to get or maintain employment and continue education and training?
Special Education supports students who may be eligible through the process of developing and updating annual Individualized Education Programs. By the age of 16, this program must include a Transition Plan which outlines the support a student needs to be ready for their goals after high school. Learn More about transition services and supports here.
How to apply?
Learn how to reach out to your school district to start the special education referral process.
Developmental Disabilities Administration
Job Foundation
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Who is Eligible?
Developmental Disabilities Administration eligible clients, age 19, enrolled in high school within a participating county.
What does it Include?
Each individual will be connected to a provider who will develop a strength-based, person-centered report to identify needed supports, key skills, and make a meaningful connection to a job. The plan will also help individuals gather critical documents and identify important next steps for their employment goals.
How does it help individuals to get or maintain employment and continue education and training?
The goal of Job Foundation is to provide a person-centered report that connects individuals to the next step for their employment. Many students continue on to receive additional support through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and counties. Together, these two programs can build a student’s success for their next steps after high school.
How to apply?
Participating counties do outreach to connect with students. A connection can also be made by emailing DDAHQTransition@dshs.wa.gov.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Who is Eligible?
Pre-Employment Transition Services is for students 14 to 21 who have a 504, an Individualized Education Program, or a documented disability. They must attend an accredited school, which includes a secondary school, General Education Development program, post-secondary, or homeschool program.
What does it Include?
Activities on self-advocacy, work readiness, job exploration, work-based learning, and counseling on post-secondary training.
How does it help individuals to get or maintain employment and continue education and training?
Pre-Employment Transition Services are the earliest form of DVR services and are customized to the individual and community to support students in gaining the skills necessary for first steps in employment. Services are provided in coordination with local school staff and external contractors.
How to apply?
Use the "Request Transition Services or Information" on the DVR website to request Pre-Employment Transition Services, or email dvrtransition@dshs.wa.gov.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
School-to-Work
Who is Eligible?
School to Work is for students who live in a county that provides the program. They must be eligible for Developmental Disabilities Administration, in the last year of their transition program, and of the ages 20 to 21.
What does it Include?
Individuals will work with an employment provider to establish a job goal, develop skills and tools for employment, and then have individualized support during the transition from school to employment.
How does it help individuals to get or maintain employment and continue education and training?
School-to-Work provides individualized services to address barriers to employment for students. It includes assessment, job placement, benefits planning, and connections to long-term supports.
How to apply?
A connection can be made by emailing dvrschooltowork@dshs.wa.gov to find the contact for local counties to start the application process.
Department of Services for the Blind
Who is Eligible?
Blind, Deaf-Blind, and Low Vision Individuals ages birth-21.
What does it Include?
Explorers Program: Activities to gain self-awareness, safety, confidence, and social engagement.
Pre-Employment Transition Services Program: Activities on self-advocacy, work readiness, job exploration, work-based learning, and counseling on post-secondary training.
Transition Services: Post-secondary education, vocational training, job search, and supports for getting and keeping a job.
How does it help individuals to get or maintain employment and continue education and training?
Department of Services for the Blind programs help children, students, and young adults gain peer connections, foundational work readiness skills, and work experiences to develop a career pathway and gain employment.
How to apply?
Call: 800-552-7103
Email: info@dsb.wa.gov
Request more information online: dsb.wa.gov/resources/request-services