Transition to adulthood is the focal point of NCWD/Youth’s work. Young people face many challenges during the period of life in which they are moving through adolescence and becoming young adults. NCWD/Youth aims to promote awareness of what all youth ages 12 to 25, including youth with disabilities, need to successfully transition to employment, postsecondary education, and independent living. NCWD/Youth’s Guideposts for Success is a national framework that provides a holistic and inclusive view of youth transition needs that can be used by policymakers, program administrators, and youth service professionals to inform decisions about designing services and opportunities for transition-age youth.

NCWD/Youth also identifies successful strategies for supporting transition-age youth in developing competencies, setting goals, making informed decisions, and accessing and advocating for opportunities and services they need to achieve their education, employment, and independent living goals. Many systems and programs provide opportunities, support, and services to transition-age youth including secondary schools, youth development programs, human service and disability services agencies, postsecondary education institutions, and workforce development programs. NCWD/Youth promotes collaboration and coordination among the many systems and stakeholders concerned with youth transition in order to maximize youth outcomes.

To learn more about what youth need for successful transition to adulthood, read the Guideposts for Success.

Featured transition resources include:

• Transition Truths: An Overview of Transition Systems
• High School/High Tech Program Guide: A Comprehensive Transition Program Promoting Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for Youth with Disabilities
• The Guideposts for Success: A Framework for Families Preparing Youth for Adulthood

Find more NCWD/Youth Publications and Resources