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Transition Process (14-22) Council for Learning Disabilities: Transition Planning Overview This resource provides an overview of what transition planning is and what individuals’ responsibilities are within transition planning for students with learning disabilities. This is a great resource for parents and teachers of students getting ready to transition from school to young adulthood. Massachusetts Adult Services Resources This resource compilation by the Massachusetts Autism Commission is designed mainly for autistic individuals and those with other disabilities. Resources encompass facets of adult life including employment, housing, and insurance. This is ideal for parents guiding their adult (or nearly adult) children as they transition to adulthood. Job-seeking Guide for High School and College Students with Disabilities This guide gives numerous resources for job-seeking students, including job hunting sites and scholarship opportunities. It is an excellent resource for parents and teachers looking to help support their transitioning students. The site is run by the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Labor. Panel Presentation Panelist Contact Information Amanda Green , Statewide Secretary Transition Supervisor 781-338-3368 amanda.c.green@mass.gov Office of Special Education Planning & Policy 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148 Lore Andrescavage , Executive Functioning/College Transition Coach at Effective Consulting 1-888-389-8650 lore.andrescavage@effectiveeffortconsulting.com Vikky Angelico , Disability Coordinator at Framingham State disabilityservices@framingham.edu Massachusetts Department of Education School to Adult Life Transition Resources This site offers a compilation of considerations that families and students phasing out of the school system should keep in mind during this transition. The guidance is coupled with Massachusetts-specific resources to support families and their children with the transition. This is a great resource for parents and caregivers looking for a deeper dive into laws and policies surrounding the transition process. Massachusetts-specific Resources for the Transition from High School to College/Work This site hosts many external resources compiled by the MetroWest Center for Independent Living . These resources are most helpful to parents and caregivers looking to support their children with disabilities navigate entering adulthood. Given the extensive list of external resources, one should take caution when navigating these external sites. Comparing Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI) This article compares the two social security programs individuals with disabilities may be eligible for as they enter adulthood. This article is ideal for a parent or caregiver looking to learn the basics between the two programs and what their child might qualify for. Panel Presentation, Panelist Shared Resources During the panel presentation, panelists shared a number of valuable resources on the transition process. Follow the link to find the pdf of all these resources. Rights and Responsibilities of Students with Disabilities for Postsecondary Education This guide by the U.S. Department of Education offers advice for frequently asked questions when it comes to postsecondary education for students with disabilities. This resource is excellent for parents wanting to support their students as they explore postsecondary education options such as vocational schools, career schools, community colleges, and 4-year colleges and universities. STEPS Intervention for Transition to Adulthood for Autistic Students This journal article provides a review of the STEPS intervention for transition to adulthood for autistic students. It is an excellent resource for parents and educators looking to implement more effective transition models for their autistic students, particularly for those entering postsecondary education. To access the free full pdf of the article, click “request full-text PDF.” Guide to Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) for Young Adults with Disabilities This U.S. government sponsored guide walks readers through the basics of enrolling in SSI. It’s a great resource for parents and caregivers who have identified that their child qualifies for SSI and are looking for next steps. The article was last updated in 2021 and is maintained by the U.S. Social Security Administration, indicating that the information is reliable and up to date at this time. Support Group Shared Resources A list of resources shared in our Transition Support Group. The resources are organized by category. Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 03/18/2025 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Introduction to Multi-Tiered Framework Here the Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports outlines key introductory concepts of MTSS. This easy to understand article is a great starting point for anyone looking to learn the basics of MTSS. Massachusetts MTSS Blueprint This document by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education highlights the updated plan for Massachusetts to implement MTSS throughout its schools. Written in 2018, the document should be up-to-date, but date-sensitive information should be confirmed. Please visit https://matoolsforschools.com/mtss-overview for more information about Massachusetts’ plan for MTSS with additional resources. Massachusetts MTSS Blueprint Massachusetts Tool for Schools provides a resource page explaining the benefits of MTSS. Linked is the 2018 blueprint for implementing MTSS in Massachusetts schools that is based on the most updated to date research that "focuses on equitable access and universal design for learning (UDL) and fully integrates social emotional, behavioral, and academic learning." Family Guide to MTSS This article provides an introduction to MTSS for parents and caregivers, including questions to ask educators and what to expect. It is a great starting point for parents and caregivers whose student is entering a school system that uses an MTSS approach. Massachusetts MTSS Academies This is a list of the MTSS Academies, which support schools in MTSS implementation, sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This resource is best for Massachusetts educators seeking to improve their schools’ MTSS infrastructure to better support their students. MTSS in the Classroom This resource outlines research-backed benefits of MTSS as well as state and federal policy requirements for MTSS. It is an ideal resource for an educator or school administrator looking to take a deeper dive into the laws and regulations behind MTSS implementation, as the article contains external links. The American Institutes for Research use and reference numerous evidence-based, outside sources to corroborate its article. Exploring Types of MTSS Structures This peer-reviewed journal article reviews existing research on MTSS frameworks to highlight structures that have been shown to be effective and brings attention to existing needs. It is an excellent article for educators looking for a deeper dive into MTSS structures. [Citation: Miller, B., Taylor, K., & Ryder, R. E. (2019). Introduction to Special Topic: Serving Children With Disabilities Within Multitiered Systems of Support. AERA Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858419853796 ] Back to Topics Page This page was last updated on: 03/18/2025 Have any resource suggestions? Click Here to email us.