Transitions Timeline

Printable checklist

Use this checklist as a planning aid and confirm current details directly with the relevant provider.

Age 17

Transition Workshops

Attend transition workshops.

School

Make a decision about an extra year of high school for your youth.
Otherwise, ensure your youth has met all graduating requirements.

Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Get a Social Insurance Number for youth.

Review Disability Tax Credit (DTC)

Contact Revenue Canada to add your youth's name and SIN to their Disability Tax Credit file.

Open Bank Account

Open a bank account in youth's name.

Disability Benefits

Apply for disability benefits.

Income Taxes and the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

If your youth has a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP), they need to file income taxes at ages 16 and 17.

Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) file

Learn about CLBC and identify and meet your facilitator.

Figure out the funding

Learn about funding eligibility, availability and options.

Youth Profile

Regularly review your youth's profile (strengths, qualities, likes, dislikes...) Discuss their hopes, dreams and visions for their future.

Financial Planning

Consider long term financial planning tools such as will & estate planning, trusts, insurance products, as well as RDSPs and RESPs.

Transition Team

Review / update members of transition team. If you do not already have a transition team for your youth, pull one together.

Create / Review Transition Plan / IEP

Review and update the Transition Plan and the Individual Education Plan (IEP). Ensure that goals identified are relevant to your youth's adult life.

Obtain / Update Assessments

Determine which assessments are required in order to effectively transition into adult services. (Most commonly required - psycho-educational assessment.)

School

Research and plan for post-secondary education / training, vocational skills, and employment preparation.

Grants, Bursaries, Scholarships, Loans

Research school grants, bursaries, scholarships, and apply for them.

Legal identification

Get your youth's legal identification in order.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

If your youth has an RESP AND they will be attending post secondary education, inform yourself of the steps required in order to access these funds.

Employment & Volunteer Opportunities - Community Involvement

Review / research employment and volunteer opportunities. Include in transition plan - including the IEP.

Resume / Portfolio

Build youth's resume / portfolio of their work and volunteer jobs.

Self Description

As much as possible, teach youth how to describe their uniqueness to others.

Recreation, Leisure, & Entertainment

Pursue hobbies and opportunities for leisure and recreation.

Representation Agreements / Power of Attorney

Learn about representation agreements and enduring power of attorney.

Support Service Organizations / Day Programs

Visit and interview community living agencies in your community to see what they offer.
Learn about day programs and activity options.

Public Transportation

Learn about public transport options and discounts. Once approved for PWD, apply for the annual bus pass.

Family Support Institute of BC

Connect with the Family Support Institute for support, guidance, and information. This provincial not for profit organization can connect you with a volunteer Resource Parent (RP) in your community. All RPs have a family member with a disability. This network supports and connects with families by sharing experiences, expertise, and guidance.

FSI Event Calendar

FSI has regular online support groups, workshops, and information sessions with a wide variety of guest speakers for individuals and their families to explore.