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Governor's Interagency Transition Council for Youth with Disabilities
This website was developed in partnership by members of the Governor’s Interagency Transition Council (IATC). The IATC is comprised of State and local agencies, family members, service providers, and advocates. Among its purposes, it is required to annually review, revise, and update the Interagency State Plan for Youth with Disabilities to ensure effective interagency planning and delivery of services for secondary students with disabilities. Click here to view the Executive Order establishing the IATC.
Strategic Plan
In 2010, the Governor’s Interagency Transition Council (IATC) approved a strategic plan for students with disabilities transitioning from high school. The Plan has 3 goals:
- Every student with a disability will exit secondary school prepared for employment.
- Every student with a disability will exit secondary school aware of postsecondary education options.
- Every student with a disability and their family will receive support and education to successfully assist their young adult through the transition process.
To view the entire Strategic Plan click here (link to strategic plan).
State Agency Partners
- Department of Disabilities:
The mission of the Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) is to advance the rights and interests of people with disabilities so they may fully participate in their communities.
Website: http://www.mdod.state.md.us
- Department of Human Resources:
The mission of the Department of Human Resources (DHR) is to assist and empower people in economic need, provide prevention services, and protect vulnerable children and adults.Click here
to find a DHR office near you. Maryland Independent Living Program for Transitioning Youth in Foster Care
- Department of Juvenile Services:
The mission of the Department of Juvenile Services is to ensure the safety of the community and the well-being and safety of the youths under DJS care, hold juvenile offenders accountable to victims and communities, and assist youth in developing competency and character to aid them in becoming successful members of society. Click here
to find a DJS office near you.
Website:
- Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation:
The mission of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) is to protect and empower Marylanders by safeguarding workers, protecting consumers, providing a safety net, and cultivating a thriving workforce that can meet the demands of Maryland’s dynamic economy.
- Department of Health and Mental Hygiene – Developmental Disabilities Administration: The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is an administrative organization within the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). DDA’s mission is to provide leadership to assure the full participation of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in all aspects of community life. In addition, DDA's goal is to promote their empowerment to access quality supports and services necessary to foster personal growth, independence, and productivity.
Click here to find a DDA office near you.
DDA Transitioning Youth Website
- Department of Health and Mental Hygiene –Mental Hygiene Administration:
The Mental Hygiene Administration (MHA) is an administrative organization within the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). MHA’s mission is to create and manage a coordinated, comprehensive, accessible, culturally sensitive, and age-appropriate system of publicly funded services and supports for individuals who have psychiatric disorders and, in conjunction with stakeholders, provide treatment and rehabilitation in order to promote resiliency, health, and recovery.
At the local level MHA has Core Service Agencies to assist children and adults. Click here to find a Core Service Agency near you.
- Governor’s Office for Children:
The mission of the Governor’s Office for Children (GOC) is to improve the well-being of Maryland’s children by working collaboratively to create and promote an integrated, community-based service delivery system for Maryland’s children, youth, and families.
- Governor’s Workforce Investment Board:
The Governor’s Workforce Investment Board (GWIB) is the governor’s chief policy-making body for workforce development comprised of 45 members, a majority of whom represent the business community.
The mission of GWIB is to guide a nationally-recognized workforce development system that aligns with the economic and educational goals of the State of Maryland and will result in a qualified workforce available to employers across the State.
- Maryland Commission on Disabilities
The Maryland Commission on Disabilities is an advisory group consisting of 16 appointed individuals that advise the Maryland Department of Disabilities on an array of issues.
- Maryland Higher Education Commission
The mission of the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is to ensure that the people of Maryland have access to a high quality, diverse, adequately funded, effectively managed, and capably led system of postsecondary education.
- Maryland State Department of Education –Division of Career and College Readiness
The Division of Career and College Readiness (DCCR) provides leadership to promote quality career preparation and lifelong learning for Marylanders through administering and supervising career and technology education and juvenile services education.
- Maryland State Department of Education –Division of Rehabilitation Services:
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) provides leadership and support in promoting the employment, economic self-sufficiency, and independence of individuals with disabilities.
Click here to find a DORS office near you. DORS has two transition guides for families and students titled For High School Students with Disabilities & Their Families: Design Your Future guide and Helping High School Students with Disabilities Transition to the Future.
DORS Transitioning Youth Website
- Maryland State Department of Education –Division of Special Education and Early Intervention Services:
The Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services (DSE/EIS) collaborates with families, local early intervention systems, and local school systems to ensure that all children and youth with disabilities have access to appropriate services and educational opportunities to which they are entitled under federal and state laws; and assists local early intervention systems and local school systems to comply with federal and state regulations and to implement policies and procedures through grant funding, professional development opportunities, technical assistance, and monitoring.
Click here to view MSDE’s Transition Planning and Anticipated Services manual.
In addition, The Division of Special Education and Early Intervention has partnered with Johns Hopkins University to create a new interactive website called Maryland Learning Links (coming soon). The website will feature a section for families and will include interactive discussion boards.
- Maryland State Department of Education –Division of Student, Family, and School Support:
The Division of Student, Family, and School Support is responsible for administering and supervising federal and state programs to improve the teaching and learning of students who are at risk of academic failure and to help to facilitate the emotional, mental, and physical health needs of all students.
- Maryland Technology Assistance Program:
The Maryland Technology Assistance Program (MD TAP) provides assistive technology (AT) to help Marylanders with disabilities and seniors enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other citizens. The program provides a streamlined service of product information, consultation, and resource assistance in order to make assistive technology more available, affordable, and usable.
- Additional Partners – Click here for a complete list of IATC members.