Transition to Adulthoood Resources in Buchanan County
Below, you will find resources that are helpful navigating life and concerns about a disability while getting ready to transition to adult life.
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) specialists offer no-cost pre-employment transition services to Missouri high school students with disabilities, ages 14-21.
Youth Leadership Forum
The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a FREE five-day, four-night leadership training and career awareness program for high school students with disabilities. It provides training in leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness. The Youth Leadership Forum enables young adults who have a disability to learn from each other and from successful adults with disabilities who are recognized leaders and role models. Students learn more about their disability and others’ disabilities, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and gain skills to become self-determined individuals. They also learn different leadership styles, the legislative process, disability laws, and much more! Students gain the power to reach their post-secondary goals in education, employment, and independent living. All the while having fun and making lifelong friends!
Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab or VR)
Vocational Rehabilitation helps eligible people with disabilities obtain and maintain employment. VR provides a wide range of services for those who qualify for their services. These include:
- Vocational exploration to determine what services are required for you to become employed
- Guidance in choosing suitable employment
- Individual counseling during the rehabilitation process
- Time-limited physical or mental restoration services that can assist you in obtaining employment
- Assistive devices (such as artificial limbs, wheelchairs or hearing aids) that increase your ability to work
- Vocational training to prepare you for employment. This could include tuition/fees as well as books/supplies for education in a college, university, trade school, community rehabilitation program or on-the-job training program
- Transportation cost necessary for you to participate in a training program
- Job-related tools and licenses for you when you are ready to go to work
- Help in developing job-seeking skills
- Assistance in finding you a job
Missouri Parents Act (MPACT)
Missouri Parents Act (MPACT) is a non-profit. MPACT has been Missouri’s federally-funded Parent Training and Information Center since 1988. Their mission is to empower families to advocate for themselves so that children with special education needs can reach their full potential in education and life – through support, training, and education. MPACT helps families with children at all stages of life.
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program
The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program provides assistance statewide for individuals from birth to age 21 who have or are at increased risk for a medical condition that may hinder their normal physical growth and development and who require more medical services than children and youth generally. The Program focuses on early identification and service coordination for individuals who meet medical eligibility guidelines. As payor of last resort, the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program provides limited funding for medically necessary diagnostic and treatment services for individuals whose families also meet financial eligibility guidelines.
Visit the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program page to find out more and apply.
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