Health Insurance
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools must develop a transition plan for students with disabilities starting at age 16 to assist with their post-graduation life. Transition education focuses on planning and teaching activities that facilitate the transition from school life to community life, emphasizing the educational outcomes that need to be achieved in the future. This involves establishing collaborative systems between disability service agencies and planning for participation in postsecondary education, vocational education, employment, lifelong learning, adult services, independent living, and community activities before high school graduation.
Transition services are intended to help youth with disabilities make the transition from the world of secondary school to the world of adulthood. That said, it helps to know how IDEA defines transition services.
메디케이드(Medicaid)
Medicaid(메디케이드)는 소득과 자산이 제한된 사람들을 위한 의료보험 프로그램이다. 대부분의 주에서Supplemental Security Income(생활보조금) (SSI)을 받는 자녀들은 Medicaid(메디케이드) 보장을 받을 자격이 된다. 그리고 SSI 자격이 되면 Medicaid(메디케이드) 자격이 자동으로 주어지는 경우도 있다. 하지만, 그렇지 않은 주에서는 반드시 신청을 해야 한다. SSI 자격이 안될지라도 Medicaid(메디케이드)를 받는 자녀들도 있다. 거주하는 주의 Medicaid (메디케이드) 기관, 또는 주정부나 카운티 사회 복지 사무실에 연락해서 확인하는 것이 좋다.
메디케어(Medicare)
Medicare(메디케어)는 65세 이상의 고령자와 최소 2년 동안 Social Security Disability Insurance(사회보장 장애 보험) 연금을 지급받은 사람을 대상으로 하는 연방 정부 의료보험이다.
아동의료보험 프로그램 (Children’s Health Insurance Program)
이 프로그램은 Medicaid(메디케이드) 를 받기에는 소득이 너무 높지만 개인 의료보험에 가입하기에는 소득이 낮은 근로 가정의 자녀들에게 의료보험을 제공하는 주정부 프로그램이다. 이 프로그램은 50개 주와 워싱턴 D.C.에서 시행되고 있으며, 처방약, 검안, 청력, 정신건강 서비스에 대한 보장을 제공한다.
Transition services
means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that
(1) Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;
(2) Is based on the individual child’s needs, taking into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests; and includes
- Instruction;
- Related services;
- Community experiences;
- The development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives; and
- If appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and provision of a functional vocational evaluation.
The services are to be planned as a group and are intended to drive toward a result—they should not be haphazard or scattershot activities, but coordinated with each other to achieve that outcome or result. Preparing children with disabilities to “lead productive and independent adult lives, to the maximum extent possible” is one of IDEA’s stated objectives.
The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
is a family-centered plan that details early intervention services and supports clients from birth to age three. The client’s initial IFSP is completed within 45 days of the family’s first contact with the Regional Center. The IFSP identifies and documents the outcomes desired by the family and clearly outlines how the IFSP team will work to achieve these goals. The IFSP comprehensively addresses health and safety-related issues, including the following:
- A record of the current physical development levels, including vision, hearing, and health status
- A description of the current cognitive, communication, social, emotional, and adaptive developmental levels
- A description of the family's concerns, priorities, the specific supports the child needs, and how these will be met
- A plan detailing the types and amounts of services and supports, the providers, and the locations of service provision
- Criteria, procedures, and timelines for assessing progress
- Procedures to ensure a smooth transition from Early Start to the next stage at age three
