Adolescent Health Transition Program
Mission
To assist adolescents with special healthcare needs and disabilities to transition and successfully transfer to the adult systems of primary and specialty care, education, employment, and insurance.
What we do
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Empower youth with special needs to reach their potential by developing self-determination, advocacy, and leadership skills.
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Motivate youth with special needs to seek positive and meaningful participation in their transition to adulthood.
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Work closely with youth, parents and caregivers, healthcare providers, social service providers and other partners to provide resources and technical assistance and support youth with special needs in their transition to adulthood and successful transfer to adult services.
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Coordinate positive leadership development initiatives for youth with special needs. Initiatives are designed to provide opportunities for youth to develop leadership, gain self-determination skills, participate in vocational and employment experiences, and practice acquired skills at a peer-to-peer youth conference.
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Help youth with disabilities achieve better post-school outcomes and develop strong connections with peers and communities.
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Engage youth with disabilities in discussions about existing programs and policies and how they impact their lives
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Match and place transition-aged students in office-based, entry-level internships throughout the Department of Health based on individual strengths and programatic needs.
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Collaborate with other state agencies, including the Rhode Island Department of Education, the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals, the Office of Rehabilitation Services, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to help youth with special needs successfully transition to adult services.
Rhode Island Department of Health