Helping Hand _ Pediatric Outpatient Clinic

BUILDING BRIDGES TO THE FUTURE

Building Bridges to the Future is an initiative program funded by the Coleman Foundation to assist families and professionals in transitioning students with developmental disabilities to the world of adult services.

Who Do We Serve?

Building Bridges to the Future assists students with developmental disabilities and their families. Our agencies span the entire Chicagoland area.

Six non-profit social service organizations came together, combining their expertise in serving adults and children with developmental disabilities and other special needs to form this unique partnership.

This program has been formed to serve the needs of families and professionals using a collaborative approach between:

Our Building Bridges Staff understand how challenging it can be to exit the school system and learn to navigate the world of adult services.

Your Transition Outreach Specialist will:

Serve as your primary contact for the Building Bridges to the Future Program
Attend IEP staffing as part of each student's interdisciplinary team
Work with special education department staff to ensure the transition is part of the IEP
Develop and maintain linkages between families, special education staff, and adult service providers.
Provide an in-service training and coaching sessions for parents, guardians, and students
Advocate for and assist in the establishment of eligibility for community services.

Transition Outreach Specialists can also provide you and your family assistance with links to the following:

Entry into Developmental Disability System

Pre-admission Screening Agencies (PAS)
Prioritization of Urgency for Need Services (PUNS)

Financial & Medical Benefits

SSI
Medicare

Legal Resources

Guardianship
Special Needs Trusts
Power of Attorney
Wills

Program Funding

Home and Community Based Waiver Programs
Residential Programs
Day Programs
DRS Programs

Training & Coaching

Parent Education and Support
Options for Community Services
Self Advocacy

Helping Hand's PEDIATRIC OUTPATIENT CLINIC

PROGRAM INFORMATION

For more information about Building Bridges or High School Transition, please contact:

Transition Outreach Specialist
(708) 352-3580

Download the Building Bridges to the Future Parent Manual