Tools for Multi Agency Team Transition Planning

As for all important events in life, the transition youth make from school to adult life requires planning. Research indicates that youth who have a plan for the next steps beyond high school graduation are more likely to achieve meaningful life outcomes. When multi agency teams engage in the planning process, youth and families have the opportunity to make informed choices about options and services for adult living, learning and working.

There are a variety of tools on this page that multi agency teams can choose from to support the transition planning process. These tools are informal in nature and not intended to be used as ‘forms to fill out.’ Rather, they are provided so teams can use and adapt them to the needs of their team and the youth/family in the planning process. Some youth will need very detailed planning, with in-depth attention to many aspects of adulthood. Other youth will still need comprehensive planning for adult life, but not at the same level of thoroughness.

The features of each tool are described below. Teams can choose to use tools to suit the current needs.

Transition Vocabulary Crosswalk: A Reference Tool for Families, Youth and Multi Agency Teams
One of the most frequently identified barriers to teaming and collaboration is communication! Agency words and terms can lead to misunderstanding, limit discussions, and prevent collaboration. Families, youth, educators and agency partners can become familiar with terms frequently used across agency partners through the use of the Vocabulary Crosswalk reference tool.

Planning for Transition Assessment: A Guide for Multi Agency Teams
During the transition years, schools and agencies have overlapping responsibility for interacting with youth. This Guide lays out a 5 step process for planning and conducting transition assessment and includes the Backwards Planning template. This Guide is designed to provide details useful for teams new to multi agency planning and/or when a youth has complex or intensive needs This document is downloadable and fillable.

Multi Agency Transition Planning: Person Centered Thinking and Backwards Planning Guide
Learn about using the Backwards Planning Process with a team. This Guide provides a 5 step process that leads to the development of a person-centered backwards plan. This Guide is useful for teams to use in developing a comprehensive plan for youth to transition from school to adult life.

Multi Agency Transition Planning: Person Centered Thinking and Backwards Planning Template
This is a downloadable and fillable companion document to the Guide. Use the guide to learn the process. Use the Template to record information when planning with the youth and family.

Facilitator’s Guide for Backwards Planning: Start Where You Want to “End”
A narrative that expands on each step of the Backwards Planning process and ‘tells the story’ of a case study of a youth/family as they participate with a team in the process.

Fact Sheet: What is a Multi-Agency Team Transition Planning Meeting?
Two-page Fact Sheet that addresses basic questions about Multi Agency Transition Planning Meetings. Includes typable space for use as an invitation to attend this informal meeting.

Using the Backwards Planning Template: Step-By-Step Directions
An example of a Backwards Plan that includes notes about the Team’s thinking process and actions.

Steps to Backwards Planning - Illustrated
This is a new description: Need a refresher about the Steps to Backwards Planning? This document illustrates the information for a multi agency team to think about and include at each step in the process of developing a single transition plan for a youth.

Backwards Planning Templates
There are typable Word templates for Backwards Planning in two different sizes:
Letter size: 8 1/2” x 11”
Ledger/Tabloid size: 11” x 17”

Gabby’s Journey

Watch Gabby, a recent high school graduate, and her transition team discuss their work together as a multi-agency transition planning team. This team worked together to support Gabby to be ready to continue on her journey to realize her adult life goals.