*NEW* "Now That You’re In High School" (pdf - 4.5Mb) A guide to heath care transition to assist young adults in high school to start thinking about some of the issues involved in the transition to adult-oriented health care and how to prepare for them.

*NEW* "CMS Transition Fact Sheet:" (pdf - 4.85Mb) This one page sheet briefly explains health care transition and why it is important for teens, and their families, to plan for it. There are suggestions for health related activities that teens can work on before they turn 18 years old and some steps that they, and their families, can take to help ensure a successful transition to adult health care services.

*NEW* "Since You're Not a Kid Anymore" (pdf - 4.85Mb) This booklet for middle school students will help them start thinking about their health care needs and health care transition. It has ideas and activities about how they can learn more about their health, how to make healthy decisions, and why health care transition is important.

"Envisioning My Future":   A young person's guide to heath care transition to assist youth and young adults, ages 12-21, and their families, start thinking about some of the issues involved in the transition from pediatric to adult-oriented health care and how to prepare for them.
• Spanish Version (pdf - 1.6Mb)
• Creole Version (pdf - 653kb)

"CMS Health Care Transition Workbook for CMS Enrollees Ages 12-14": (pdf - 249kb) Questions and activities to assist young teens and their families think about and prepare for health care transition.
• Spanish Version (pdf - 100kb)
• Creole Version (pdf - 253kb)

"CMS Health Care Transition Workbook for CMS Enrollees Ages 15-17": (pdf - 332kb) Questions and activities to assist teens and their families think about and prepare for health care transition.
•Spanish Version (pdf - 117kb)
•Creole Version (pdf - 337kb)

"CMS Health Care Transition Workbook for CMS Enrollees Ages 18+": (pdf - 357kb) Questions and activities to assist older teens, young adults, and their families think about and prepare for health care transition.
•Spanish Version (pdf - 121kb)
•Creole Version (pdf - 365kb)

Care Coordination Transition Planning Tips For Annual Re-Determination and Transition Planning (pdf - 52kb)   The intent is to give you some ideas for transition topics that can be discussed with enrollees and their families.

Parent Transition Checklist  (pdf - 44kb)   This is a shortened version of the CMS Transition Workbooks, parent sections, and can be completed by a care coordinator with a parent, or a parent alone, more easily.
•Creole Version (pdf - 45kb)

Youth/Young Adult Transition Checklist (pdf - 44kb)   This is a shortened version of the CMS Transition Workbooks, youth/young adult sections, and can be completed by a care coordinator with a CMS enrollee, or by the enrollee alone, more easily.
•Creole Version (pdf - 45kb)

In Florida, people who are 18 years and older are legally able to make all of their own decisions. After turning 18, a person is considered to be an adult in Florida (except where state laws specify a different age limit for an activity) and the natural parent(s) has no legal right to speak for that individual. That includes making decisions about health care treatments and surgeries, where a person will live, whether or not to continue school, and taking responsibility for signing financial and legal documents. People who are 18 years or older are legally recognized as being competent to handle all of their own affairs. Teens with special health care needs often have issues and concerns in addition to those of their peers. So planning for transition and learning what is needed for a successful transition to adulthood should begin when they in their early teens. The amount of assistance and information required by teens and young adults with special health care needs and their families will vary and CMS Network Care Coordinators are available to assist and answer questions.

The websites that are listed here contain information that the Children's Medical Services Network believes are useful for teens and young adults with special health care needs, as well as everyone who is working with them, as they transition to all aspects of adult life, including health, education, employment, insurance, and independence. Sites were chosen that provide Florida and/or national information.  The CMS Network hopes you will find them to be useful.

The Vocal Spectrum: CMS Young Adult Advisory Board

General Information Useful for Transition Planning:
These transition resources cover a wide variety of transition subjects and cannot be listed under just one heading. The information in them includes educational laws and issues, vocational options, self-determination and independent living issues, legal issues, health issues, social services, and federal/state assistance programs.

Self-Determination And Advocacy:
Self-determination means that a person with disabilities has the ability to make choices to control their lives, reach the goals they have set, and fully take part in the world around them. Self-determination has 4 basic rights and responsibilities: the same freedom and authority that any other individual has, control over one's own life, choosing the supports who provide assistance, and involvement in one's community. Advocacy websites listed promote, support and educate all people on the rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities and/or special health care needs.

Federal Laws And Rights Related To People With Disabilities: [top]
These are websites for the federal laws on various issues that affect people with disabilities. Information about all federal laws and agencies can be accessed through the Disability Info.gov website

Legal Issues Of Guardianship: [top]
What arrangements need to be made to assist an individual who is unable to make some or all of their own independent decisions? What will happen if a parent or caregiver dies or becomes unable to provide care and assistance? These websites will provide ideas and answers.

Health Issues, Family Medical Leave Act, And Social Security: [top]
As children and teens with special health care needs grow they need to understand about their diagnosis, their medication, how to contact their doctor(s), how to make appointments, their health insurance, and how to make informed health decisions. Parents and caregivers need to learn about possible changes in health care services and insurance as teens transition into adult services.

Education and Vocation: [top]
These resources include information about federal laws that ensure students receive a free and appropriate education as well as resources for the Florida Department of Education (DOE). Information about vocational activities and training are also included on the Florida DOE site and other sites listed.

Housing: [top]
Adults with disabilities or special health care needs are successfully living independently in their own home. These resources will provide information to assist an individual who is considering buying their own home and other federal housing issues.

Recreation: [top]
Everyone needs to spend time having fun, relaxing with family and friends, and participating in leisure time activities. Sometimes teens with special health care needs are challenged to find ways to participate in these activities. The following websites are provided to provide ideas and not to promote a particular activity. Teens are encouraged to participate in home, school, and community activities according to their interests and abilities.

Assistive Technology (AT): [top]
Assistive technology (AT) includes devices and services as well as training that help an individual to select and utilize a device or aid. AT devices are items, pieces of equipment or systems (both off-the-shelf and customized) used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of students with disabilities. There are many assistive devices to enable people with communication disorders to communicate effectively and efficiently. These sites provide information about different types of assistive technology and the issues that pertain to them.

Transportation Information: [top]
Locating safe and reliable transportation is often a challenge for youth with special health care needs. The following sites provide information and tips to consider.

Volunteer Opportunities:  [top]
Volunteering is a great way for youth to learn more skills, find out about employment opportunities, and to meet people in their community.

Resources and Tools: [top]
Many states, universities, organizations, and health care providers are developing tools to assist youth with special health care needs successfully transition into all aspects of adult life. These websites will provide youth with special health care needs, their families, Care Coordinators, Social Workers and other professionals the ideas, tools, and resources to reach that goal.

For more information please contact your local CMS office: [top]

• CMS Network Contact List (pdf - 121kb)