Family Member | Student
High School and Transition to Adulthood
What is Secondary (High School) Transition?
Transition planning is a formal process that helps students (age 16 or younger) who are on an Individual Education Program (IEP) discover what they want to do after high school and how to get there. It’s required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
During planning, the student will work on specific goals to coordinate services to help achieve those goals. The purpose of transition planning is to help students with disabilities prepare to be independent young adults in the areas of employment, training, and independent living.
The IEP must actively involve the student, family, and representatives from whatever post-school services, supports, or programs that will be necessary for the student to be successful.
- Parent Brief
Transition planning for high school students and what parents need to know.
This document gives tips to help students take part in their IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings.
A helpful guide for students to lead their own IEP meetings, share their goals, and actively participate in planning their education and transition.
A guide for families and students to track important transition activities from middle school through high school to ensure readiness for post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.
A handy tool to help students and families review available services, plan activities, and monitor progress toward a smooth transition to adulthood.
South Dakota High School Graduation Requirements
A guide explaining what students need to complete to graduate from high school in South Dakota, including courses, credits, and testing requirements.
Provides information on how graduation requirements apply to students with disabilities, including accommodations, alternate pathways, and supports to help every student succeed.
Post-Secondary Education Opportunities
Helpful advice and resources for parents to support their child with a disability as they take the next step into college, technical school, or training programs.
A fun event designed for high school students with disabilities, and their families, who are exploring their options after graduation. Students and families can learn about college life, programs, and supports available.
A go-to handbook filled with information on colleges, training programs, career planning, and disability support services to help students and families prepare for the future.
An opportunity for students to discover the wide range of education and training paths in South Dakota, including technical colleges, universities, cosmetology schools, and the military.
Alternative Education Opportunities to Discuss as an IEP Team for Qualifying Students with Disabilities:
A supportive program at Augustana University offering students with intellectual or developmental disabilities the chance to learn, grow, and experience campus life.
A partnership with Dakota Wesleyan University that helps students with disabilities gain skills for independence, education, and career success.
A program designed to support students with disabilities in building job skills.
Employment
Practical guidance for parents supporting their child with a disability as they prepare for work, build job skills, and connect with employment opportunities.
An event for high school students with disabilities, and their families, to explore career options and learn about the supports available to help them succeed in the workplace.
South Dakota’s Vocational Rehabilitation program helps students with disabilities plan for life after high school. VR partners with schools and organizations to provide services that connect students’ strengths and interests with meaningful career opportunities.
- Job Training for Students with Disabilities
- Project Skills A work experience program for high school students with disabilities that offers paid, real-world job training in the community.
- Project SEARCH A transition-to-work program that provides students with disabilities hands-on training and internships in a business setting, with the goal of competitive employment.
- Career Launch SD
An initiative of the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulations (DLR) that helps students (18 to 21 years of age) explore education, training, and career opportunities across the state.
An online career exploration and planning tool that helps South Dakota students discover careers, set goals, and create a plan for the future.
Assistance with Daily Living
Dakota at Home helps people in South Dakota find the care and services they need. The help is free and for anyone, no matter their age, income, or disability. The Dakota at Home team can give you information and support to find services in your community. They can help with things like:
- Getting care at home
- Finding a place to live
- Getting a ride to appointments
- Finding help for caregivers
- CHOICES Waiver
The CHOICES program (Community, Hope, Opportunity, Independence, Careers, Empowerment, Success) provides services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It helps people live, work, and be part of their communities with the supports they need.
Family Support 360 offers flexible, personalized services for children and adults with disabilities and their families. Supports are designed to fit the unique and changing needs of each family, helping them build a strong support system.
Here is a short video that explains the difference between the CHOICES Wavier and Family Support 360.
Shared living gives individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live in a private home with a caring provider or family. This person-centered approach allows participants to share a life with others while receiving the support they need in a home environment.
Strengthening Families helps families who have a child or adult with a developmental disability get the help they need when they can’t get it anywhere else.
Respite care gives families a short break from caring for a child or adult with special needs. It lets parents take care of their other children, spend time with their spouse, or rest. The person with special needs must live with a parent or family member. Families who qualify can get respite care, regardless of how much money they make.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Dakota at Home at (833) 663 9673, or fill out the online form at dakotaathome.org.
South Dakota provides a guardianship program with financial assistance to help adults with disabilities who need support in making important decisions. Families can also explore alternatives to guardianship to find the right level of support.
A short video explaining options beyond guardianship.
A resource for parents and guardians to understand what happens when students turn 18.
A simple tool to help families consider different levels of decision-making support.
- South Dakota Parent Connection: Preparing for the Future…Understanding Guardianship and Alternatives
Guidance for families on guardianship and alternatives to ensure the best fit for their loved one.
Self Advocacy
Guidance for parents on how to help their child speak up for themselves and make informed choices about school, work, and future opportunities.
A program for young adults with disabilities to connect with peers and learn from successful adults with disabilities who are recognized leaders and role models. Participants gain leadership skills and confidence for school, work, and community life.
A user-friendly app that helps students with disabilities and their families plan for life after high school. It assists with developing a transition-focused Individualized Education Program (IEP) and setting goals for education, employment, and independence.
What To Do If You're Having a Disagreement with Your IEP Team
- Ask for a mediation meeting (a meeting with someone who helps both sides talk and agree),
- File a formal complaint (a written report of the problem), or
- Ask for a due process hearing (a legal meeting to help solve big problems).
The state’s hub for special education resources. Families can find information about parent and guardian rights, the special education process, and contact information for state support.
Special education dispute resolution is a way for teachers and parents to solve problems when they don’t agree about a child’s education. It helps them talk and find a solution that works best to help the child learn. The South Dakota Department of Education (DOE), Office of Special Education Programs, has four ways to help solve problems about special education. These include IEP Facilitation, mediation, state complaints, and due process hearings all of which are noted in this document.
- Parent Rights and Procedural Safeguards (pg. 23-35)
- Parent Guide to The Special Education Process (pg. 8)
- South Dakota Parent Connection (SDPC)
SDPC is the Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) and Family to Family (F2F) Center in South Dakota. SDPC offers individual assistance, training, and resources to families of children, youth, and young adults ages birth to 26 years old with developmental disabilities and/or health concerns. All resources and services found at SDPC are free of charge to individuals and/or their families.
A nonprofit legal services agency that helps people with disabilities understand their rights, access services, and address discrimination or other legal challenges.