By: Renee Dain, Sr. VP, Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs
Transition is defined as “the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.” When you think about your life’s trajectory, it’s incredible to reflect on the vast array of transitions you have experienced in all domains: physical, emotional, social, and cognitive. As adults, we know that transitions are inevitable, through our experiences such as moving into a new home or starting a new job, and small transitions, such as a change in daily routine. While the transition may be difficult, we learn to adapt and manage feelings of stress, anxiety, and nervousness.
For adolescents, the transition to adulthood is perhaps one of the most challenging times in a young person’s life. Leaving the routine of high school to the unpredictable transition to adult life can be even more daunting for a student living with disabilities and/or a complex medical need. This is because they are leaving secure supports that are mandated by law and moving into a system where services are less certain. While one child may transition smoothly, another may have difficulties, which can be impacted by their temperament, life experiences, and resiliency. Keeping child development in mind helps us understand children’s emotions and behaviors as they face transition.
We recently sat down with Alyssa Stoffel, Team Manager, Rare and Expensive Case Management (REM) Program and Sheryl Nickel, Clinical Care Coordinator, Model Waiver Program to learn more about the transition process.
At what age do young people typically begin the transition into adulthood?
Transitioning Youth (TY) is a term used for children ages 14 to 21 who are preparing to leave the school system, either through a certificate or diploma track in high school. Students with disabilities should begin the transition planning process no later than age 16. At The Coordinating Center we recommend supporting students and families with the transition process as early as 14, which is especially important in preparing for the transition to adult healthcare. Within the school system, for students participating in the Individualized Education Program (IEP), transition planning is a part of the IEP process. The transition planning process is designed to help students with disabilities prepare for life after high school, ensuring they have the skills and support needed to achieve their goals in areas such as higher education, vocational training, employment, adult services, independent living, or community participation.
For students living with an intellectual or developmental disability, the Maryland DDA has a special category of eligibility and priority for services through the Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative for people 21 through 22 years of age. This makes it possible for the DDA, working with the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS), to fund employment services and other day services for eligible students leaving school who otherwise may have gone on the DDA Waiting List. A student is eligible from their 21st birthday until their 22nd birthday to apply for DDA services. If their date of graduation is after the student’s 21st birthday, they are eligible for one year after the date of graduation to apply.
What role can care managers (e.g., care coordinators and supports planners) play in supporting transitioning youth and their families?
One of the best ways adults can support adolescents with the transition process is to start early. Parents, caregivers, teachers and care managers can play an important role in supporting young children through transition. Adults can ensure that children feel protected and nurtured, transforming transitions into learning opportunities that bolster development across all areas of a child’s life.
Care managers at The Coordinating Center are trained to support adolescents and families through the transition process. For youth living with complex medical needs and/or disabilities we can support and/or facilitate the transition to adult healthcare. We recognize how daunting this can be, as the population we serve require specialized and coordinated care. Establishing new relationships with providers who may not have the same level of expertise or understanding of their specific conditions can lead to feelings of anxiety and insecurity. There’s also the challenge of self-advocacy and healthcare management, which needs to be taught early.
There are many other aspects of the transition to adulthood that Care Managers can help facilitate. We can support students with the transition to post-secondary life (e.g., education or training, employment, and, when appropriate, independent living skills) through advocating for transition planning and services during the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. We can also support students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities access transition youth services through the Maryland Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDA).
What are some helpful tools for adolescents and families?
There are a lot of great resources out there. One of the tools we encourage families to review is The Coordinating Center’s Milestone Checklist, which starts through birth through the transition to adulthood. Click HERE to access the checklist.
For families looking for resources related to healthcare transition, we recommend the following Got Transition tools:
- Overview
- Transition Readiness Assessment for Youth
- Transition Readiness Assessment for Youth (Spanish)
- Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Guardians
- Transition Readiness Assessment for Parents/Guardians (Spanish)
Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities should consider services through the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration. At The Coordinating Center, we are a provider for Coordination of Community Services, a DDA program. Click HERE to learn more.
Join Alyssa Stoffel and Sheryl Nickel on April 16, 2024, at Noon, for a special webinar on Transitioning Youth: What to Know as You Grow. Click HERE to register to attend. This webinar is part of The Coordinating Center’s new Community Enrichment Series – engaging workshops supporting individuals and families to achieve their aspirations for a meaningful life!
Alyssa Stoffel, MS, RN, CPN, CCM, Team Manager – Contract Support, REM has nearly 20 years of experience in the human services field in various roles focused on ensuring meaningful community life for individuals with complex medical needs and disabilities and has been with The Coordinating Center for just under nine years.
Sheryl Nickel, BSN, RN, CPN, CCM, Clinical Care Coordinator, Model Waiver has 16 years of experience in the human services field and has been with The Coordinating Center for just under seven years.
The Rare and Expensive Case Management (REM) Program is Maryland’s, case managed, fee for service alternative to HealthChoice Managed Care Organization (MCO) participation. The REM Program is for individuals receiving Maryland Medical Assistance with a qualifying diagnosis that is rare in occurrence and expensive to treat. The purpose of the program is to provide community-based care coordination services for people with specialized health care needs, providing access to high quality, medically appropriate health care services in a cost-effective setting outside of a managed care organization.
Model Waiver is a Maryland Medicaid program, which allows medically fragile individuals, before the age of 22 years to live at home. Without this benefit, these individuals would be hospitalized, as their medical needs require hospital or nursing facility level of care. Under the Waiver, the parents’ income and assets are waived during the financial eligibility process even though the child continues to live in the community with their parent(s).
We recently sat down with Megan Bazzett, Director, Community First Programs at The Coordinating Center to learn more about self-advocacy.
“We are pleased to announce that this year’s winner is Mark Acosta, LCSW-C, CCM, Team Manager, REM Program. Mark has been with The Center for twelve years and has served as the REM Gold Team Manager for the past ten years. Mark is a staunch advocate for individuals living with complex medical needs and disabilities. He is known for going above and beyond for his coworkers and his clients. We are truly fortunate to have such a compassionate leader on our team,” said Teresa Titus-Howard, PhD, MHA, MSW, President/CEO, The Coordinating Center.
Fay Alexander, MHR, CCHW, Team Manager for VIP Connect, has been with The Coordinating Center for seven years. Fay’s commitment to her role goes above and beyond expectations; she not only fiercely advocates for her clients but also extends her support throughout the organization. Fay actively volunteers her time and knowledge, contributing significantly to training, policy development, committee participation, and community presentations. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Fay was chosen by the Governor to serve on the State Community Health Worker Advisory Committee, where she played a pivotal role in shaping training criteria and raising awareness about essential training for Community Health Workers. Within The Center, Fay is a valued member of various committees, including the Quality Council and Technology Committee, where she actively shares innovative ideas and feedback. She is also the founder and chair of the Community Resources Committee. Fay’s strategic initiatives have notably enhanced client relationships and retention.
Matthew Slade, LCSW-C, CCM, Team Manager, REM Program – Sapphire Team, has been with The Coordinating Center for nine years. Matthew is deeply committed to professional development and the well-being of his coworkers. His relentless efforts to identify relevant training opportunities have streamlined required programs at The Center, addressing the ongoing education needs for social work and case management certification licensure. Matthew’s commitment to coworker well-being is evident in every interaction, as he leads by example with fairness and support. Unafraid of difficult conversations, Matthew remains transparent and collaborative with supervisees and coworkers, fostering a culture of open communication. His leadership style inspires and motivates, promoting unity and collaboration among the team. Matthew is a beacon of positive change, consistently going above and beyond to empower individuals and families. His tireless efforts and empathetic approach make him a role model for both the organization and the community it serves, showcasing truly exceptional leadership.
Millersville, Maryland – The Coordinating Center, Maryland’s statewide, premier nonprofit care coordination organization for children and adults with disabilities and complex needs is excited to announce Sherell Townes, MSW, Program Manager, Community First Programs has been promoted to Program Director, Coordination of Community Services (CCS). Sherell’s exceptional dedication and remarkable achievements have significantly enhanced The Coordinating Center’s support planning services.
Delegate Bonnie Cullison of District 19, Montgomery County will receive a Distinguished Public Service Award, which recognizes public officials at a state and local level, who have enhanced opportunities for people with disabilities and/or those with complex medical needs to participate fully in all aspects of society. Delegate Cullison, a member of the House of Delegates since 2011, has worked tirelessly to ensure Marylanders have access to the care they need to participate fully in their community. As chair of the Insurance and Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee, she has navigated complicated issues to ensure that Marylanders have affordable and accessible care. She has also been one of the most vocal voices in the Maryland General Assembly for improving our state’s home and community-based waiver programs. This past legislative session, Delegate Cullison successfully sponsored legislation to remove the cap on the number of individuals who can participate in the state’s waiver programs and to improve the communication between the state and individuals on waiver waitlists. Delegate Cullison recognizes the importance of supporting waiver programs to ensure Maryland keeps its promise to support all people with disabilities and complex medical needs in fully participating in all aspects of society.
Amanda Harris, former Chief of Services to End and Prevent Homelessness, Montgomery County will receive a Distinguished Public Service Award, which recognizes public officials at a state and local level, who have enhanced opportunities for people with disabilities and/or those with complex medical needs to participate fully in all aspects of society. Prior to joining Montgomery County, Amanda was the Chief Operating Officer for Pathways to Housing DC and helped to advance Housing First principles throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. Her experience ranges from direct services, program management, public administration, and advocacy. Amanda is not shy in her approach to solving homelessness and is resolute in her commitment to make homelessness a rare, brief, and one time only experience.
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