Incorporating Pediatric to Adult Health Care Transition in Special Education Transition Planning: A Guide for Title V Programs

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This guide, created by Got Transition’s Health Care Transition and Special Education Learning Community, is designed for Title V Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) programs to bridge the gap between special education transition planning and pediatric to adult health care transition (HCT). Federal special education law does not address pediatric to adult health-related transitions. Without the knowledge and skills to manage health needs and navigate adult health care systems, CYSHCN may face barriers to achieving goals in work, education, and independent living. This guide helps Title V CYSHCN programs bridge the gap between special education transition planning and pediatric to adult HCT planning.

How to Use This Guide

Click through the buttons bellow to locate:

A summary of federal and state special education laws on transition planning in special education
Steps on how to make the case to special education leadership around the importance of health in special education transition planning
Replicable examples of state strategies, partnerships and opportunities that align HCT and special education transition planning
Terms and definitions that can help Title V understand the language that special education uses

Guide Contents

Background and Introduction Special Education Transition Planning Provisions Building the Case State Strategies and Examples Terms and Concepts

Contributors and Acknowledgements

Development of this guide could not have happened without the expertise, leadership, commitment, feedback, and thoughtful review from participants of The Health Care Transition and Special Education Learning Community, which includes Title V and family representatives.

Contributors

Florida: Title V CYSHCN Program, Florida Department of Health

Georgia: Quondalynn Rainey, Program Manager
Health Care Transition, Children’s Medical Services, Georgia Department of Public Health

Hawaii: Children with Special Health Needs Branch, Hawai‘i State Department of Health

Illinois: Claire Cook, Title V Program Transition Specialist
University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children

Michigan: Children’s Special Health Care Services Division, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Minnesota: J.P. Mahoehney, Coordinated Systems Specialist
Children and Youth with Special Health Needs and Disabilities, Minnesota Department of Health

New Mexico: Cathy Salazar, Family Engagement Advisor
Children's Medical Services, Department of Heath New Mexico

Oregon: Karen Benson, Health and Education Project Manager; Emilie Lamson-Siu, Systems and Workforce Development Manager; Ana Brooks, Bilingual Outreach and Training Specialist
Oregon Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs, Oregon Family to Family Health Information Center; Oregon Health and Science University

Vermont: Children and Youth with Health Care Needs, Vermont Department of Health

Wisconsin: Timothy Markle, Outreach Program Manager
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Waisman Center, UW-Madison, Wisconsin

NTACT:C: Michael Stoehr, Knowledge Development and Technical Assistance Specialist
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C)

Got Transition: Samhita Ilango and Peggy McManus

National Centers

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For a PDF version of this guide, click the link below.

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If you're a state with an innovative strategy that you'd like to share, contact us! We'd love to hear more.

The National Center for a System of Services for CYSHCN is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,500,000 with no funding from nongovernmental sources. The information or content are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Last Updated

07/01/2026

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics

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