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Navigating Community and Adult Agency Services
Why It Matters
Transitioning from school to adult life can be overwhelming. Unlike school-based services (which are guaranteed under special education laws), adult services are often limited, have different eligibility rules, and may include waiting lists. Early planning and strong interagency relationships between schools, families, and adult service providers are key to a successful transition to adulthood. The goal is for the student's last day of school to mirror the first day of adulthood - seamless, supported, and purposefully planned.
Key Responsibilities Under IDEA
Federal law (IDEA) requires transition planning to begin by age 16 (age 15 in Colorado). This includes involving adult agencies in IEP meetings if they may provide or pay for services.
What Schools Should Do:
- Get parental permission to invite agency representatives to IEP meetings.
- Implement and interagency team to facilitate collaboration between education professionals and various agencies to support students with disabilities in their transition to adulthood.
- Build relationships with agency staff.
- Share printed materials with families.
- Host information nights or community events.
- Arrange visits to agency offices or college campuses.
Tips for Partnering with Agencies
- Meet regularly with agency representatives.
- Share updates on students’ progress and interests.
- Offer meeting space at school for agencies and families.
- Understand the services and referral process for each agency.
- Include agencies in career fairs, classroom activities, or job-readiness workshops.
- Document your efforts in the student’s IEP and on the Agency Planning Chart.
Getting Started: Major State Agencies
Here’s a quick overview of key agencies in Colorado. Use this to guide discussions and referrals. Each agency has local contacts to assist families.
|
Agency |
What They Offer |
Website Links |
|---|---|---|
|
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) |
Assists individuals with disabilities such as physical, mental or learning, to successfully pursue their employment goal, starting at age 15. |
|
|
School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP); district dependent |
Employment-related assistance to young adults with mild to moderate barriers to employment, starting at age 15. |
Colorado Department of Education: School to Work Alliance Program |
|
Case Management Agencies (CMAs, formerly Community Center Boards, CCBs) |
Services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Services vary by waiver and age. |
|
|
Workforce Centers |
Job search support, resume help, career guidance |
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment: Workforce Centers |
|
Supplemental Social Security/ Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI) |
Income & medical support for eligible youth with disabilities |
Colorado Department of Human Services: Disability Determination Services |
|
Colorado Centers for Independent Living (CILs) |
Skills training, advocacy, and community support |
|
|
Division of Youth Services (DYS) |
Support for youth involved with the justice system |
Colorado Department of Human Services: Division of Youth Services |
|
Office of Behavioral Health |
Mental health services across Colorado |
Colorado Behavioral Health Administration: For individuals and families |
|
Colorado Chafee Program |
Life skills and transition planning for youth in foster care |
Colorado Department of Human Services: Colorado Chafee Program |
|
Public Health & Environment |
Health support including nutrition, prenatal care, immunizations |
|
|
Community Colleges & Vocational Programs |
Support for students with disabilities in training programs and academic accommodation for students with disabilities |
Contact disability services at the school of interest and/or see |
|
Colleges & Universities |
Academic accommodations for college students with disabilities. |
Contact disability services at the school of interest and/or see Colorado Department of High Education: Search Colleges & Universities |
|
IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education |
Inclusive college opportunities in Colorado for students with intellectual disabilities |
|
|
PEAK Parent Center |
Training, resources and advocacy for inclusive education and disability rights |
General Questions to Ask an Agency
Use these questions to gather useful information when contacting an agency:
- What services do you offer?
- What are the eligibility requirements?
- What is the age range you serve?
- Is there a waiting list?
- Are there fees for services?
- Do you provide job training, placement, or counseling?
- What information and documents are needed to apply?
For guidance in developing and implementing local interagency teams that include special education, vocational services, community agencies and families see
The Colorado Department of Education's Sequencing of Services (SoS).
The framework is a structured transition planning guide designed to direct educators, administrators, and interagency teams in supporting students with disabilities from early adolescence through young adulthood.