In October of 2013 the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services initiated a subcommittee to create a white paper on the topic of transition within the system of care for persons with developmental or intellectual disabilities. This began with a visual and conceptual diagram, evolved to a narrative, a structural design for implementation, and goals and action steps to achieve them. The Coalition completed the White Paper in February of 2015.
In early 2015 Representative McClellan proposed LD 1061, "Resolve, To Create the Commission To Study a Stable Continuum of Care for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism." This bill would have created a group to study ways to create more effective transitions, building off of the Blueprint for Effective Transition and the work completed by other transition groups throughout the state. The bill was not enacted prior to the Legislature's final adjournment and was not carried over into the next session. However, with broad stakeholder and Department support implementation of the Blueprint for Effective Transition remains hopeful.
In late 2019 and early 2020 the Blueprint for Effective Transition diagram and narrative were revised and adopted by the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services on 1/13/20.
Please click here for the revised Blueprint for Effective Transition Diagram and Narrative
Please Click Here for the complete Blueprint for Effective Transition
Narrative:
All human beings have value, natural abilities, dignity, and potential. By dignity, we mean: Self-respect, nobility, worthiness, and honoring choice. Through this, we set the tone for all achievement and personal growth. Transition is the movement that incorporates these inherent characteristics, creating opportunities for a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Transition is a process, not a destination or event, and leads to quality outcomes for each individual. Transition is lifelong, with milestones along the way. It is both a foundation and a springboard to a fulfilling and meaningful life that must be facilitated by the individual, family, supports, and services across all environments. Transition involves collaboration, creativity, and community, and envisions a path through which an individual figures out what he or she wants to do and how to live their life.
Successful transition is a journey. This journey takes the individual through many transition planning areas and promotes development of the essential elements of a fulfilling life.
Transition Planning Areas
The transition planning areas (see diagram) describe various transitions for the individual throughout his or her lifetime. The blueprint presumes that the person begins life with parental care, transitions to adulthood, and thrives in a world with continued transitions. Family and community are part of a responsive natural support network. Successful transition planning involves individual, family, community, and government partnerships. Support for any individual should be closest to what is “typical” for anyone.
Community inclusion is based on the assumption that an individual with disabilities should not be isolated but instead should be a part of and connected within the community. It means a person is engaged socially, recreationally, and culturally. It also means that the person becomes a productive community member, pursuing talents and giving back to others. As the person differentiates from their parents, they begin to exercise greater self-determination, make more choices, and with the necessary support take a more active role in setting and pursuing their own goals. As a member of the community a person is treated with dignity and respect. A person belongs.
Quality flexible wraparound support is based on need, not on what is available. This involves varying types and degrees of support as needed (from minimal to maximum and adapting to life’s circumstances) to promote appropriate development, safety, stability, and inclusion.
The rest of the transition planning areas are self-explanatory: Planning for aging, financial management and planning, stable housing and home, employment and vocation, healthcare, wellness, and recreation, transportation, and individual education planning & lifelong learning; all enhancing community inclusion and self-determination – central to the person’s life.
Essential Elements of a Fulfilling Life
The interwoven essential elements of a fulfilling life (see diagram, blue font) include:
These elements are achievable by way of a successful journey through the transition planning areas.
Transition is about excellence and equity. It is about investing in human potential and individual dignity.
Central to the diagram, transition involves communication, collaboration, and integration. Integration requires transcending boundaries and braiding resources to create a comprehensive whole.
In early 2015 Representative McClellan proposed LD 1061, "Resolve, To Create the Commission To Study a Stable Continuum of Care for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism." This bill would have created a group to study ways to create more effective transitions, building off of the Blueprint for Effective Transition and the work completed by other transition groups throughout the state. The bill was not enacted prior to the Legislature's final adjournment and was not carried over into the next session. However, with broad stakeholder and Department support implementation of the Blueprint for Effective Transition remains hopeful.
In late 2019 and early 2020 the Blueprint for Effective Transition diagram and narrative were revised and adopted by the Maine Coalition for Housing and Quality Services on 1/13/20.
Please click here for the revised Blueprint for Effective Transition Diagram and Narrative
Please Click Here for the complete Blueprint for Effective Transition
Narrative:
All human beings have value, natural abilities, dignity, and potential. By dignity, we mean: Self-respect, nobility, worthiness, and honoring choice. Through this, we set the tone for all achievement and personal growth. Transition is the movement that incorporates these inherent characteristics, creating opportunities for a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Transition is a process, not a destination or event, and leads to quality outcomes for each individual. Transition is lifelong, with milestones along the way. It is both a foundation and a springboard to a fulfilling and meaningful life that must be facilitated by the individual, family, supports, and services across all environments. Transition involves collaboration, creativity, and community, and envisions a path through which an individual figures out what he or she wants to do and how to live their life.
Successful transition is a journey. This journey takes the individual through many transition planning areas and promotes development of the essential elements of a fulfilling life.
Transition Planning Areas
The transition planning areas (see diagram) describe various transitions for the individual throughout his or her lifetime. The blueprint presumes that the person begins life with parental care, transitions to adulthood, and thrives in a world with continued transitions. Family and community are part of a responsive natural support network. Successful transition planning involves individual, family, community, and government partnerships. Support for any individual should be closest to what is “typical” for anyone.
Community inclusion is based on the assumption that an individual with disabilities should not be isolated but instead should be a part of and connected within the community. It means a person is engaged socially, recreationally, and culturally. It also means that the person becomes a productive community member, pursuing talents and giving back to others. As the person differentiates from their parents, they begin to exercise greater self-determination, make more choices, and with the necessary support take a more active role in setting and pursuing their own goals. As a member of the community a person is treated with dignity and respect. A person belongs.
Quality flexible wraparound support is based on need, not on what is available. This involves varying types and degrees of support as needed (from minimal to maximum and adapting to life’s circumstances) to promote appropriate development, safety, stability, and inclusion.
The rest of the transition planning areas are self-explanatory: Planning for aging, financial management and planning, stable housing and home, employment and vocation, healthcare, wellness, and recreation, transportation, and individual education planning & lifelong learning; all enhancing community inclusion and self-determination – central to the person’s life.
Essential Elements of a Fulfilling Life
The interwoven essential elements of a fulfilling life (see diagram, blue font) include:
- Family and Friends
- Relationships, Intimacy, & Love
- Community & Belonging
- Quality of Life
- Community Inclusion, Engagement, & Citizenship
- Dignity of Risk
- Dignity of Choice
- Culture, Values, & Beliefs
- Lifelong Personal Growth & Skill Building
These elements are achievable by way of a successful journey through the transition planning areas.
Transition is about excellence and equity. It is about investing in human potential and individual dignity.
Central to the diagram, transition involves communication, collaboration, and integration. Integration requires transcending boundaries and braiding resources to create a comprehensive whole.