Is your child’s future plan missing these supports?

Future planning made easier: what every family should know

Parenting a child with disabilities means carrying a unique mix of joy — and big, lingering questions about the future. As our kids move toward adulthood, it’s normal to feel the weight of what’s ahead: what happens when they turn 18 and so much changes? How do we know what to prepare for, and when to start? And, for many of us, the question that never fully quiets: how do we make sure they’re safe and happy when we can’t be there every day?

During this transition, our role as parents can start to shift in ways that feel unsettling, especially when it seems like access and influence are slipping just as our young adults still need steady support. Learning what options and supports are available can help you stay connected, advocate effectively, and begin imagining what adulthood might realistically — and hopefully — look like for your child.

Milestone: the journey to 18

This week, we’re walking you through the journey leading up to your child turning 18, and how to prepare for comes after. Read what feels helpful, bookmark a few articles in your Undivided account, or simply note questions to bring up with your child or their team when the time feels right.

• When do I really need to start preparing for my child’s future… and what comes first? (Psst… it’s earlier than you might think.) Explore our transition to adulthood timeline→
• Why can’t I see my child’s medical info anymore? Learn about medical rights and consent at ages 12 and 18→
• My young adult is turning 18 soon… how do I know what level of support makes the most sense for them? Read about supported decision-making→
• Is there an easy way to manage all this? Don’t miss any important steps preparing for your child to become a legal adult. Follow this step-by-step goal in the Undivided app with helpful checklists!

Milestone: life after high school

• Can my child ever live outside the family home? YES — many adults with I/DD can live independently with the right supports. Curious how? Read about supported living services→
• College is on the horizon… what programs are actually out there for my child, and how do we help them prepare? Navigate college for students with intellectual disabilities→
• My child wants to work… how can they find a job that’s a good fit? Will working affect their public benefits? And do they need supports like a job coach? Read about employment supports and services→

Hot topics

• Top legal tasks to complete before your child turns 18
• Top college accommodations for students with disabilities
• What is a conservatorship, and how does it work in California?
• A parent’s guide to ABLE accounts and special needs trusts in California

Event recap → California’s Alternate Pathway to a Diploma for Students with Extensive Support Needs

Missed our live event with Kristin Wright and Stephanie Coleman about California’s alternative pathway to a high school diploma for students with significant cognitive disabilities? Catch the event’s Q&A recap or watch the full replay video (with transcript available). If you’re an Undivided member, add the goal “Talk to my IEP team about California’s alternative pathway to a high school diploma” to your child’s Roadmap for a step-by-step walkthrough with everything you need to know!

Office hours → Public benefits 💬 Wednesday, December 10, 12:00 p.m. PT

Join us for office hours with Lisa Concoff Kronbeck, Undivided’s public benefits specialist, to ask your questions about Regional Center, IHSS, SSI, Medi-Cal, and other public benefits programs in California. Not an Undivided member yet? Join here to participate.

Undivided Conversations 

• Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. PT – Join us on our Facebook page with Kristen R. Choi, PhD, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, Holly Matecko, and Shawna Hall from Helen Sanderson Associates for a clear, practical walkthrough of supported decision-making — what it is, how it works, and how it empowers individuals to make choices with the support they need.
• Sunday, December 7, 10:00 a.m. PT – Join us on our Facebook page in conversation with Scott Shepard, Sofia Cervantes, and Nicole Morris as they dive into Supported Living Services (SLS) in California’s Regional Center system, how these services support independent living, and what families should know about public benefits, CalABLE accounts, and planning early for adulthood.