The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reaffirmed its support for structured health care transition planning in pediatric practices. Youth with disabilities benefit when healthcare transition is addressed early, ideally by age 12, with increasing youth involvement over time.

Learn more: AAP Policy Statement on Transition

White, P. H., et al. (2011). Supporting the health care transition from adolescence to adulthood in the medical home. Pediatrics, 128(1), 182–200.

The PA Department of Health works closely with grantees to improve the systems of care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) while simultaneously preparing youth and their families with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote self-determination, wellness, and successful navigation of the adult service system. As adolescents approach adulthood, they take on increasing responsibility for their health and health care. For CYSHCN, this transition is especially important, as their medical needs may be complex, and they will eventually need to manage their medications and other aspects of their health themselves. Throughout the year, the Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center offers services for youth and their families to accomplish these tasks. PEAL’s Youth Leadership Academy builds leadership and self-advocacy skills which teaches youth how to be self-sufficient and focus on their own self-care. These skills directly affect the choices they make when transitioning to adulthood and considering health care services. Family members of CYSHCN are offered Family Leadership Institutes where they learn about supporting their youth’s self-advocacy as they transition to adulthood. In 2025, PEAL offered their annual #NextGen conference where Dr. McCormick presented “Bridging Transition: Journey into Adulthood” and spoke about how important it is to work with pediatric providers when connecting with new adult medical providers. The conference welcomes youth, family members, and providers. For more information, visit the PEAL website: www.pealcenter.org to find resources on transition including Family Resource Specialists who provide individual assistance.

Are you looking for resources and actionable recommendations tailored for administrators, school practitioners, mental health professionals, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and families to effectively support students with mental health needs during their transition to adulthood?

Look no further then the NTACT:C Quick Guide: Mental Health-Secondary Transition.

Are you looking to dig into research and resources for supporting students with mental health needs as they go through secondary transition planning?

The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research (Transitions ACR) is a research center within the Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center (iSPARC) that conducts research, training, and dissemination activities to improve outcomes among youth and young adults (ages 14 to 30) with serious mental health conditions (SMHC).

As you get older, there are a lot of things to think about — and one of the big ones is your health. If you have a disability or ongoing health needs, it’s super important to start getting ready for the time when you’ll move from seeing a pediatrician (a doctor for kids and teens) to seeing a regular adult doctor. Most pediatricians stop seeing patients around age 21, so it’s a good idea to start planning ahead.

Here’s how you can get ready:

• Know your health story.
• Do you know what medications you take and why? Do you know your diagnoses? Understanding these things means you can ask good questions and be more involved in your care. Don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor about your treatment plan — it’s your body and your health!
• Practice speaking up at appointments.
• It’s not just about knowing your health info — it’s also about using your voice. Try making a list of questions before your doctor’s visit. And when you’re at the appointment, ask for a little time to talk to the doctor alone if you want. Practicing this now makes it easier later.
• Take charge of your meds and appointments.

Do you know when to take your medications? Can you call for a refill if you need one? If not, it’s a good time to learn. Start by setting reminders on your phone, or by asking your doctor or family to help you practice.

Why this matters:

These conversations can sometimes feel awkward or tough, but they’re really important. Taking care of your health — both physical and mental — helps you stay strong and confident as you grow up. Plus, speaking up for yourself at the doctor’s office is a great way to practice self-advocacy, which means standing up for your needs and making sure your voice is heard.

Attention all youth and families! Are you eager to explore the latest insights, strategies, and tools to support your secondary transition planning? Join us at the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference, July 28th-31st at the Penn Stater, for an inspiring and engaging experience!

We’re offering a variety of exciting sessions and hands-on activities designed to help families navigate the ever-evolving world of education. This is your chance to discover valuable tools, gain new insights, and learn how you can make a lasting impact on your secondary transition planning journey.

Don’t miss out—come be part of a community of learners ready to shape the future of education together! Pre-Register for the Youth Transition Summit here! Visit the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How page to learn more.

The PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education (BSE), is pleased to offer a limited number of family scholarships to PA residents to attend the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How: Empowering Pennsylvania Educators and Partners Conference, in-person or virtually.

We welcome submissions from parents/guardians who:

• Have a child, age 14 - 21, who currently:
• receives supports and services through a Pennsylvania Early Intervention/Special Education Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP),
• is in the evaluation/assessment process for eligibility to receive supports and services from a Pennsylvania public or approved private school (APS), as designated by the Commonwealth, or

• receives supports and services through a Pennsylvania Infant Toddler or Preschool Early Intervention Program

• Are not employed in a professional capacity in a school, district, charter school, or Intermediate Unit (IU), (paraprofessionals are eligible if other criteria are met); Parent Training & Information Center, Community Parent Resource Center; or other federally funded educational or advocacy organization. Professionals should seek funding through their employer/organization.

Scholarships will not be awarded if your child is 22 years or older, or if they turn 22 before July 28, 2025.

A Family Scholarship Includes:

• Conference Registration (in-person or virtual) for:
• Up to two (2) parents/guardians of a child, birth - 21, receiving or being evaluated to receive supports and services, as listed above. Each parent/guardian must register for, and attend, conference sessions
• Up to three (3) children
• Ages 4 - 21, with or without a disability, who register for at least one of the Youth Experiences
• May include up to two (2) siblings, who register for eligible Youth Experience(s)

Note: In order for parents/guardians to attend conference sessions, child caregiver reimbursement is available through Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) to families with children five (5) years or younger, with or without a disability. Learn more about child caregiver reimbursement. Contact Molly Martz at mmartz@pattan.net or Lisa Gragg at lgragg@pattan.net with questions.

• Lodging of one guest room (for up to five people) at a conference-designated hotel. Qualified applicants must live 50+ miles, one way, from The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center
• Meals and Snacks provided to registered* conference attendees
• Three Daytime Options for Children & Youth (in person only)
  Descriptions and Registration of Youth Experiences

1. Camp InsPirAtion Day Camp (formerly The Children’s Institute) (ages 4 - 21)
2. Code Arcade Computer Science Camp (high school students)
3. Youth Summit Conference Sessions (ages 14 - 21.) May be combined with Camp InsPirAtion

• Fun Activities for all ages

Scholarship recipients are responsible for all travel expenses, including transportation, fuel, tolls, mileage, and meals not provided to conference attendees.

*Registered attendees are adults who submit a completed conference registration form, including selection of sessions they will attend, and children who are enrolled in one of the three Youth Experience options above.

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is offering a limited number of in-person and virtual scholarships. Eligible youth (14-21) must have an open OVR case and an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) at the time of the application opening, April 25, 2025. Students that meet the OVR criteria, documented in the Family Scholarship application, and have not received an OVR scholarship in the past will be given first consideration. Whether in person or virtual, transition-aged youth must be accompanied by a parent/guardian attending the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference.

Please complete the application below for either scholarship opportunity.

Family scholarship applications will be accepted through the end of day, June 15, 2025, or until all scholarships have been awarded. Scholarships will be reviewed and processed in the order they are received. Don’t delay, apply today!

For questions, please contact Linda Cartwright or Jacqui DiDomenico at bk2khscholarships@pattankop.net or call 1-800-441-3215

The event will take place July 28-31, 2025, at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA. Details about the Conference and Youth Experiences

Do you want to mentor youth? Do you want to support self-advocates as they grow? We want to hear from you! The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is looking to increase the amount of youth engaging in their Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC)s. As part of that process, they are looking for folks who would be willing to mentor youth as they step into the world of self-advocacy within their local CACs along with a statewide Youth Citizens Advisory Committee. If you are interested in learning more and participating, please check out this form.

This easy-to-use planning tool helps youth and families track skills needed to manage their health independently.

Click here to access the checklist.

A youth-designed, interactive website that helps teens plan for adulthood, including how to manage their health and wellness.
🔗 youthhood.org/health

Nationally recognized framework for youth, families, and providers. Includes sample readiness assessments, youth handouts, and health summaries.
🔗 www.gottransition.org
📖 McManus, M., et al. (2018). Pediatric to adult health care transition: Models, outcomes, and quality improvement. Academic Pediatrics, 18(4), 343–355.

This powerpoint will help users understand changes in insurance eligibility and protections as youth age out of pediatric systems and child social security insurance (SSI).

PA HEALTH LAW PROJECT

The PA Medical Home Initiative connects youth with special healthcare needs to providers who use a team-based, family-centered care model. Ideal for IEP teams to collaborate with care coordinators.

This is Autism is a video series showcasing the stories of 12 autistic individuals in Pennsylvania. This series aims to elevate the voices of autistic people of all ages, genders, races and experiences.

This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.

Looking for a place where you can Connect, Collect, & Contribute

to all things secondary transition?

Connect with people from across our state to collect

resources, share events and contribute stories about positive post-school outcomes!

Click here to create an account and login to join our PA Secondary Transition- Public Square.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) plays a pivotal role in facilitating the transition of youth with special health care needs (YSHCN) from pediatric to adult healthcare systems. Through a range of programs and resources, the DOH ensures that young individuals and their families are equipped with the necessary tools and support during this critical period.

🏥 PA Medical Home Program – Transition Initiative

Since 2010, the DOH has supported the PA Medical Home Program's Transition Initiative, which aids pediatric and adult primary care providers in developing processes to ease the shift for YSHCN to adult-based primary care. The program identifies youth aged 14 to 20+ ready for transition, maintains a Transition Registry to monitor progress, and fosters collaboration between pediatric and adult care providers to ensure continuity of care.

🏡 Community to Home (C2H) Program

The C2H program enhances the health of children and youth with special health care needs by assisting them and their families in accessing necessary services and supports. Operating in 48 rural counties, C2H employs Community Health Workers to provide care coordination and education, empowering families to navigate systems and advocate effectively.

📋 Transition Health Care Checklist

Developed by the DOH, the Transition Health Care Checklist serves as a comprehensive guide for youth, families, and professionals. It outlines steps to identify health care needs, plan for future services, and understand insurance and legal considerations, ensuring a well-structured transition to adult living.

Are you looking to learn more information about transition?

The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C) provides information, tools, and supports to assist multiple stakeholders to provide effective services and instruction for students and out-of-school youth with disabilities.

Check out their Training Resource Library.

If you're new to transition, be sure to check out Transition 101!

Partnerships to Support Health Care Transition for Youth from Pediatric to Adult Serving Systems in Minnesota

Hosted by Gillette Children's in collaboration with Got Transition and the Minnesota Department of Health

The 2025 Gillette Children's Pediatric to Adult Health Care Transition Summit is the culmination of our work that began 2023 with the launch of the Health Care Transition Learning Collaborative (HCT LC). The virtual Summit brings together a statewide collaboration of advocacy, education, healthcare, payer, and state/county agency experts to share best practices, exchange knowledge, and drive advancement in the field of HCT. The Summit will offer participants valuable insights into the multiple changes and transitions, including HCT, experienced by youth and their families as they age into adulthood and the services that support these changes. Participants can use this knowledge to enhance their clinics, hospitals, programs, and overall state practices to support safe transition from pediatric to adult care systems for the growing number of youths with special health needs and disability.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Patience White and Peggy McManus, from Got Transition, a program of the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health. You will learn from mental health, education, healthcare, school nursing, family advocacy and support, vocational rehabilitation, and employment experts that successfully support youth as they transition to adult services. Dr. White and Ms. McManus, along with clinical experts from Gillette Children’s, and other esteemed guests, will provide expertise and guidance to foster engaging dialogue centered on current conversations in pediatric to adult HCT.

CME Credit Designation: 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ | 6.25 Contact/Clock Hours

Register to attend by June 8th.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Cancellations received by 04/30/25 will be eligible for a full refund. Cancellations received between 05/01/25 and 05/31/25 will be eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellations received after 05/31/25 will not be eligible for a refund. All refunds issued will be less any applicable Eventbrite registration fees and will be issued to the original payment method used to register for the summit.

Join us for the Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference, where educators, community partners, families, and youth come together to learn evidence based practices and tools that bridge the gap between knowledge and practice!

📅 Dates: July 28-31, 2025

📍 Location: State College, PA

🌟 Dive into sessions focused on:
🔹 Autism
🔹 Sensory Disabilities
🔹 Secondary Transition
🔹 Complex Instructional Needs

We’re talking all things Bridging Knowledge to Know-How Conference—what you need to know, why it matters, and how it can elevate your practice. Whether you're in the classroom, supporting families, or leading programs, this conference is for YOU!

📍 Where: State College, PA
📅 When: July 28–31, 2025

🎧 Tune in now on PaTTANPod!
▶️ Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/42bNW58
🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app: bit.ly/4cwZMKN

Let’s bridge the gap between what we know and what we do. 💡 #BK2KH2025 #SpecialEducation #InclusiveEducation #PaTTANPod

Connecting PA ABLE and Work Incentives for People with Disabilities

June 10, 2025

12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Experts will explain the PA ABLE Savings Program and Pennsylvania's Work Incentive Programs. The PA ABLE Savings Program gives individuals with qualified disabilities a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits.

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA), often referred to as benefits counseling, is an essential service to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities who receive SSA benefits. This webinar will offer an overview of WIPA's individualized work incentives planning, which can assist individuals to make informed choices about work.

Register

If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact us at info@paable.gov.

Learn About PA ABLE and ABLE Age Expansion

July 15, 2025

1:00 p.m.

The PA ABLE Savings Program gives individuals with qualified disabilities a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits.

Some of the topics we will discuss include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits, ABLE Age Expansion, and how PA ABLE interacts with important benefits.

Register

If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact us at info@paable.gov.

Learn About PA ABLE and ABLE Age Expansion Evening webinar

Aug. 14, 2025

6:00 p.m.

The PA ABLE Savings Program gives individuals with qualified disabilities a tax-free way to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining important benefits.

Some of the topics we will discuss include eligibility requirements for opening a PA ABLE account, the federal and state tax benefits, ABLE Age Expansion, and how PA ABLE interacts with important benefits.

Register

If you require accommodations to participate in this webinar, please contact us at info@paable.gov.

Are you looking for transition events across PA?

Don't forget to check the events calendar to stay up to date on all of the great events happening in PA and nationally related to secondary transition!

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a group of various stakeholders from across Pennsylvania who work collaboratively to ensure appropriate transition outcomes for Pennsylvania youth and young adults.

The Pennsylvania Community on Transition is a state leadership team consisting of representative from: the State Departments of Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Human Services; Various Serving Agencies, Young Adults, Parent Organizations, Advocates, Higher Education, and Employers.

The shared vision and common goals of the Pennsylvania Community on Transition is achieved when all PA youth and young adults with disabilities:

• Successfully transition to the role of productive and participating adult citizens
• Are empowered to recognize their talents, strengths, and voice
• Have equal access to resources that will promote their full participation in the communities of their choice.

Email: pasecondarytransition@gmail.com
Website: https://www.pasecondarytransition.com/
Phone: 4128266878
Twitter: @hmangiskuntz