Transitions (18-26)

• Getting Services

  Once your child turns 18, a number of resources are available to assist in the process of transitioning to adulthood. Begin by connecting with your county’s Community Mental Health organization. The organization will assign a Supports Coordinator to assist with everything from understanding benefits to identifying housing options to CLS (community living supports) coordination.

  • Network 180 Kent county
    
  • Ottawa County Community Mental Health Ottawa county
  • Integrated Services of Kalamazoo Kalamazoo county

  Find your county’s CMH provider by visiting michigan.gov/mdhhs.

  If you need assistance getting started, Disability Advocates of Kent County’s Family Support team is available to answer your questions and offer guidance.

• Benefits & Guardianship

  Understanding what government and financial benefits your child qualifies for upon turning 18 is critical to navigating the transitions process, especially as you consider what guardianship options are the best fit for your child and family. While your Community Mental Health Supports Coordinator should provide you with this information, the organizations below are also knowledgeable and prepared to answer your questions about benefits and guardianship.

  • The Arc provides information and guidance on a number of topics including Social Security benefits, Medicaid, and community mental health services. Use the Find a Chapter button to search for your local Arc office.
  • Disability Advocates of Kent County has two departments that may be utilized for questions related to benefits and guardianship. Their Benefits Planning team can assist with SSI/SSDI and DHHS applications, explain benefit interactions, and help you plan for the future. Their Family Support team can answer questions about Independent Living Skills, Self Determination, Financial Transition Planning and Supplemental Income Resources, Accessing Community Living and Home Help Supports, and Guardianship and Power of Attorney.
    • Parent/Caregiver Packet: Guardianship, Power of Attorney, and Social Security was compiled in 2019 by a DAKC’s Family Support staff member. Please note that some information may now be out-of-date, but the packet should provide a good overview of the topics presented. 
  • Michigan Alliance for Families offers extensive online resources, including pre-recorded and live webinars, about guardianship and alternative options, as well as supported decision making.

  Something you may want to consider when reviewing benefits is a MiABLE Account. MiABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to save for current and future expenses without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits.

  The National Down Syndrome Society recently published Financial Wellness: A Guide for Individuals with Disabilities, their Families and Caregivers in partnership with the Voya Cares® program at Voya Financial to provide comprehensive information and solutions to address the unique, and oftentimes fluctuating, financial needs of the disability community.

• Education

  In the state of Michigan, students receiving special education services are eligible to continue receiving those services to age 26. As your child approaches 18 years old, consider contacting special education agencies or your school district’s ISD to discuss options available to your child.

  • Michigan Alliance for Families is the leading statewide resource to connect families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education. Their website has a section dedicated solely to Transition To Adulthood. Topics covered include Adult Service Agencies, Alternatives to Guardianship, Career/ Employment, Postsecondary Education and Training, Rights and Responsibilities, Self-Advocacy, Self-Determination, Transition Law, and Transition IEP.
  • Transitions in the School System was compiled by Lizabeth Ensing of Forest Hills Transition Center to help parents understand the transitions process and view the postsecondary options available to their children in West Michigan.

  Collegiate Opportunities

  • Noorthoek Academy is a non-profit organization that provides an affordable college experience, offering continuing education in the arts and sciences for adults with learning challenges and other intellectual disabilities in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College.
  • Ready For Life provides post-secondary educational experiences at Hope College and Calvin College for college-aged individuals diagnosed with cognitive, learning, or social disabilities.
  • University of Cincinnati Transition and Access Program provides a four-year college experience for individuals with mild to moderate intellectual or developmental disabilities.

  If your child plans to attend a university, community college or post-secondary institution, Ruby’s Rainbow is an awesome nonprofit that grants scholarships to students with Down syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education, including enrichment or vocational classes.

  The National Down Syndrome Society also offers several scholarship opportunities to individuals with Down syndrome in the areas of post-secondary education, entrepreneurship, and self-advocacy.

• Employment

  Preparing for Employment

  • Disability Advocate of Kent County’s Youth Transition Services provides youth aged 14+ with tools to ensure a successful transition into adulthood and independence.
  • IKUS, in Ottawa county, offers a skill-building program for adults 18+ designed to assist individuals with disabilities with vocational, safety, and community living training, all in a community workforce or volunteer setting.

  Finding Employment

  • Beyond26 helps adults with disabilities over 18 find job and volunteer opportunities in West Michigan.
  • ASK Family Services in Kalamazoo has a Family Care Coordination program that, among other services, helps with planning, linking, and coordinating of community resources and services for individuals with disabilities and their families.
  • Michigan Alliance for Families offers an extensive employment guide on their website for those with disabilities who are preparing for their first job.

  As individuals with disabilities secure employment, they may find NDSS’ Financial Wellness: A Guide for Individuals with Disabilities, their Families and Caregivers helpful in their personal financial planning. The guide was created in partnership with the Voya Cares® program at Voya Financial to provide comprehensive information and solutions to address the unique, and oftentimes fluctuating, financial needs of the disability community.

• Housing

  Considering where to live is a big step for every young person transitioning to adulthood. Some individuals may prefer to live at home. Others may seek a group home environment or be eager to pursue independent living. Maybe a combination of independence and support is ideal. Fortunately, West Michigan has housing options to fit each of these preferences.

  AFC (Adult Foster Care)/Group Home

  • Cameo Homes Coopersville
  • David’s House Grand Rapids
  • Hope Network Adult Foster Care Grand Rapids
  • MOKA Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, and Allegan counties
    
  • Pine Rest Grand Rapids
  • Samaritas Grand Rapids, Muskegon

  Network 180 maintains a directory of West Michigan AFC homes on their website.

  Independent Living

  • Heritage Hill Association Grand Rapids
  • Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) Grand Rapids
  • Michigan State Housing Development Authority locations vary

  Independent Living with Onsite Support

  • David’s House Grand Rapids
  • Dwelling Place Grand Rapids
  • Gracious Grounds Grand Haven
  • Grand Rapids Housing Commission Grand Rapids 
    
  • MOKA Muskegon, Ottawa, Kent, and Allegan counties
    
  • Pine Rest Grand Rapids
  • Samaritas Grand Rapids, Muskegon
  • Thresholds Grand Rapids

  Questions about housing options in West Michigan? Contact OASIS Community of West Michigan. Oasis works to discover housing alternatives that will provide adults with disabilities a safe place to live with greater independence, social connectivity, and lead purpose-filled enjoyable lives.

• Transportation

  The transportation providers listed below provide services to West Michigan residents with disabilities.

  • GO!Bus is a shared ride, advanced reservation, ADA paratransit service intended to provide a comparable level of transportation to that which is provided by a The Rapid fixed-route bus in Kent county.
  • Hope Network owns and operates a fleet of 63 vehicles, and offers more than 60 professionally trained staff to provide door-to-door transportation for individuals with disabilities in Kent and Ottawa counties.
  • Lakeshore Ride Link connects individuals with disabilities with transportation services in Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, and Muskegon counties.

  Disability Network Southwest Michigan maintains a directory of transportation providers in Kalamazoo and surrounding areas.