Transitioning To Adult Services

The Division offers support to young people during their transition to adulthood. We call this support Youth in Transition (YIT).   

Before getting into what YIT is, let’s first focus on what it means to transition to adulthood. To transition means to change from one thing to another thing over time. When someone transitions to adulthood, they are changing from childhood to adulthood. There are many factors that are part of this transition, such as:  

• Finishing high school. 

• Applying to college.  

• Getting hired at a job. 

• Moving into a new apartment alone or with a partner or roommate(s). 

• Deciding what to do with free time, including who to spend time with. 

• Finding a new adult primary care doctor.  

• Making choices about services and supports to get. 

The transition to adulthood is a major life change. Up to this time, the young person's parent(s) or caregiver(s) made most, or all, the decisions for the young person. During the transition, the young person becomes the decision-maker. This means they must make choices for themselves. While they can ask for help and advice from people in their life, the young person makes the final decision.  

Transitioning to adulthood can be exciting and overwhelming for any young person. This is especially true for young people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). Young people with I/DD have extra things to do during their transition. They must move out of child and school I/DD services into adult I/DD services. This is where YIT can help.  

YIT Overview 

YIT is available to youth with I/DD aged 14 to 22 that are still in school. YIT supports young people with I/DD through their transition from child to adult I/DD services. YIT does this by:  

• Sharing information with the young person and their family about adult I/DD services. 

• Going to the young person's Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting(s).  

• Encouraging the young person to explore their interests and set goals for the future.  

• Giving resources to teacher(s) to use when they work with the young person on their IEP. 

• Sharing resources with the young person and their team to help them plan for life after high school.  

• Checking in with the young person, their family, and their teacher(s) about the transition.  

• Helping the young person apply for adult I/DD services with the Division. 

The Division partnered with two other state agencies to do this work. One of the agencies is the RI Department of Education (RIDE). The second agency is the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS). 

Much of our team's success is also due to the partnerships we have with the community. Our partners include adults with I/DD and their families. It also includes community agencies like Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN). Together, we are enhancing the vision we all share of an integrated life in the community.  

Inviting BHDDH to School Meetings

Schools can ask the Division to send someone to school meetings for students with disabilities. The school meeting must be an Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting. To make this request, submit the online IEP invite form. 

The Division will assign someone to attend the IEP meeting. If no one can attend the meeting, someone in the Transition Unit can talk with you separate from the IEP meeting.  You can let us know if you’d like to do this by emailing the Transition Administrator at susan.hayward@bhddh.ri.gov or calling 401-462-3421. 

Application Process 

Youth with I/DD can apply for adult I/DD services as early as 16 years 10 months. Applying early gives youth more planning time and support. Starting early helps make the transition from school to adult services smoother. To apply for adult services, visit our Eligibility and Application webpage. 

Transition Guides and Resources

There are many resources to help people as they transition. This section shares a list of guides and resources on transitioning to adult I/DD services.

This webpage was updated 10/31/25.