Transition Planning

Things for parents/legal guardians to consider: 

• Where will my child live?
• How will my child get around in the community?
• What will my child do after they graduate from school?
• Who will provide medical and dental care when your child turns 18?                                  

Please complete the skills checklist before contacting your Nurse Case Manager for transition planning. 

In a few short years, your child will be 18 years of age.  At age 18, they are considered legal adults.  Healthcare providers may decline to speak with persons other than the client and if you are not prepared, this can be frustrating and cause delays in care. It is important to consider things like decision making and who will be their adult medical care providers. 

Please complete the skills checklist before contacting your Nurse Case Manager for transition planning.

Things to think about as a child approaches 18 years of age:

• What are the best decision-making considerations for my child?
  • View the California Self-Help Guide for Conservatorship considerations.
• A power of attorney (POA) agreement allows one person to name another person to make financial or other decisions on their behalf. A POA can be either “durable” or “springing.”
  • View the California Self-Help Guide for Power of Attorney Options
• National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making: Helping people with disabilities lead amazing lives through supported decision making.
  • Visit the National Resource Center to learn more about Supported Decision Making.
• Do you know what an Advanced healthcare directive is? You have the right to give instructions about your own health care. You also have the right to name someone else to make health care decisions for you. This form lets you do either or both of these things. It also lets you express your wishes regarding donation of organs and the designation of your primary physician. If you use this form, you may complete or modify all or any part of it. You are free to use a different form.
  • View the Advanced Health Care Directive Form

Many things change when a child reaches the age of 18.  A person may begin transitioning from their pediatric provider to an adult provider. If they are in the CCS program, it is important that this provider is CCS paneled, so CCS is able to authorize care. Your doctor may be able to help with a referral to an adult provider. In addition, some pediatric providers may choose to continue seeing ages 18 to 21 years of age (check with your provider). If additional assistance is needed, please contact your CCS Nurse Case Manager at 530-552-3891.  

Please complete the skills checklist before contacting your Nurse Case Manager for transition planning.

Things to think about now that you are 18 years of age:

Release of Information (ROI)

CCS will need a release of information form signed by the client or legal authority for authorizing to whom CCS can share medical information.   Medical providers, hospitals and CCS are a few of the people required to follow the rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.  If a client is unable to sign the release because of physical or mental capability, then there must be a legally designated person assigned to this responsibility

Where will I live?

Independent Living Centers ILRU's National IL-NET T&TA Center for CILs supports the independent living movement and the operation, management, and evaluation of strong and effective centers for independent living led and staffed by people who practice the independent living philosophy. The Center fulfills this mission by providing a continuum of information, training and technical assistance designed to assist centers to operate effective organizations.

• Visit the Directory of Centers for Independent Living website
• Visit the Disability Action Center's Independent Living website

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children:

SSI provides monthly cash payments to help meet the basic needs of children who have a physical or mental disability or who are blind. If you care for a child or teenager with a disability, and have limited income and savings or other resources, your child may be eligible for SSI.

• Apply for Supplemental Security Income for a  Child (Under Age 18)

Did you know the CCS program only authorizes services until your 21st birthday?

This is an important year to make sure a transition plan is in place. A few things to consider as preparations are made to “age out” of the CCS program and into Medi-Cal or other insurance coverage:

• Have you finalized arrangements to be seen by an adult provider?
• Who will be managing my healthcare needs? If unable to manager them on your own, who will help you?
• What insurance will I have when I turn 21?  If Medi-Cal, which Managed Medi-Cal plan will I be a member?
• Who are my providers for medical equipment, medications and supplies?  Who will be writing orders for my equipment, medications and supplies? Do my Durable medical Equipment (DME) providers, pharmacy and medical providers accept the insurance you will have when turning 21?
• Do I have HIPAA releases in place so my provider is able to discuss care with those I choose? 
• Do I have a valid, signed healthcare directive in place? 

Please complete the skills checklist before contacting your Nurse Case Manager for transition planning.

Visit the Transition Planning Resource page for more resources available to assist with transition to adulthood.