Special Education Transition Services Resources

In addition to the supports and programs/services that HCPSS provides, there are many resources available to families to facilitate a student’s transition out of high school. Keep in mind that many of the skills and goals for adult living can begin at home while a student is still in the school system.

Please note that HCPSS does not endorse any business, activity, or group. We recommend that you research any listing of interest to your family and confirm it is a good fit.

Housing

• Developmental Disabilities Administration Housing Support Services aims to develop quality, affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities in safe locations where they can access support services, transportation, employment, and recreation throughout their lifespan.
• Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) Program is an inclusive zoning program that requires developers of new housing in certain zoning districts to sell or rent a portion of the dwelling units to households of moderate income.
• The housing choice voucher program (HCV/Section 8) is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
• The Best Buddies Living program represents one of our organization’s five key mission pillars, Inclusive Living. This program fosters an integrated experience for people with and without IDD to become active, contributing citizens who live independently in a dynamic environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Community and Social Life

As your student becomes an adult, creating a meaningful life through social and community engagement can be a key to success and fulfillment. There are many resources in the community specifically for students and adults with disabilities.

• Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy, and benefit from participation in individual and team sports.
• Howard County Parks and Recreation (therapeutic recreation and general) offers therapeutic recreation programs for all ages.
• Down Syndrome Association of Maryland (formerly Chesapeake Down Syndrome Parent Group or CDSPG) provides information and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the broader Down syndrome community.
• New Horizons assists adults with disabilities achieve independence through person-centered training & support.
• ​Barrier-Free is a non-profit, disability service organization that provides inclusive art, self-advocacy, and social programming to the community for neurodivergent adult.
• GiGi’s Playhouse offers free therapeutic, educational and research-driven programs to individuals of all ages with Down syndrome.

Additional Resources

• The Low Intensity Support Program serves children living at home with their family and adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities living in their own home in the community who are not receiving any support services from the DDA.
• ARI Supporting Independent Living provides services to enhance consumers’ quality of life and strengthen their support systems. All of their services are designed to help people with disabilities take part in and contribute to their communities.
• Parents Place of Maryland Education and Health Care Services began in 1990 as a grass-roots effort of families, professionals, and community leaders determined to provide resources, support, and information to parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
• Autism Society of Maryland’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully.
• Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan.
• Office of Disability Employment Policy Guideposts for Success: What All Youth Need to Successfully Transition into Adulthood