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[quote=Anonymous]

I am the one who mentioned the MOST program because I do think it could be a wonderful resource for a lot of young adults with a disability who do not get a high school diploma and just do not make the connections needed to develop a life after high school.  Over the next year or two some other thoughts are:

- [b]Employment -[/b] If your son is interested in trying to find a job or you would like to provide that opportunity for him, then contact the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services - DARS (formerly DRS) in your area of NOVA and ask the school counselor for your son's school to come to his next IEP meeting.  Once he is age 18, you could apply to see if DARS could serve him even if he is not ready yet.  If there is a waiting list due to money, then when funding comes it is from date of initial application. This is the key agency for working.  ***Unless, there happens to be any smaller center-based work settings called supported employment.  You might ask about those and go and see the setting and see what basic skills are neded to participate and when can one apply.  Better yet, could your son go out to such a setting while in Post High years as part of one or more vocational work experiences.

[b]Volunteer Work[/b] - If there is any way that you could provide your son with the opportunity to do some volunteer work during the summers with a paid college companion that would be one way to help him learn and practice some "soft job skills" of social skills, communication skills and behavior skills.  You would also find out at least how he did in a certain environment.  Think of places he might go to help that would be simple such as as area food pantry, helping out at Meals on Wheels program, doing perhaps some volunteer gardening or yard work at a senior center.  You could advertise for a college student now before the semester ends at area universities ANd also say the community college.

[b]Adult Day Programs[/b] - If even working or volunteering would only be part-time and your son could not be at  home for a few hours, you might find out about day activity programs in your area.  Or if he is not ready or choosing to work when school ends, it does help to look at program offerings ahead of time.  You will be able to find out the participant to staff ratio, the population served in terms of disabilities, age range, mobility issues etc.  [b]Also, ask specifically what criteria would make a young adult not able to participate in the program.  Finding out expectations ahead of time will also give you concrete goals to be worked on over the next two years in Post High.[/b]

I assume you realize that no adult services are free so also find out the cost of any program in your area including transportation, general cost of hiring an aide if you need to etc. For a college student, you can probably hire one for about $12 - 15 an hour.  I would apply for any Medicaid Waiver your son might qualify for if you have not done so.  Also remember the SSI during these years of Post High is $8,800 a year and you may want to save the money you no longer need to spend for this young adult for future budget needs of your family, including coming adult supports or services.  Getting information ahead of time on specific options in your area will help you develop concrete goals for your son's IEP in the next year or two.

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