Graduation can be a daunting experience for the non-college bound student with developmental disabilities. Typically, these students are entitled to a free, appropriate education until age 21. As the educational entitlement ends, parents often describe the experience "as falling off a cliff."  Parents are left struggling for options to ensure that their son or daughter is not isolated in their home without work or community involvement. The Bernards Township School District and Bethel Ridge, a local provider agency supporting people with special needs, are committed to providing these students and their parents with a lifeline after age 21. Accessing services and navigating governmental agencies can be overwhelming, but there is help out there to smooth the transition.

One of the options available to graduating students is Self-Directed Day Services with funding provided through the Division of Developmental Disabilities. On Wednesday, May 23, 2012, at 7 p.m., a two-hour interactive training will be held with Neighbours, Inc., an agency contracted by the Division of Developmental Disabilities, that will guide parents, students, and professionals, step by step on how to jump start services after graduation. The session will be held at the Ridge High School Media Center.

In addition, Bethel Ridge will provide information on how to access services within the community and beyond, which will help pave the road to success.

This Road Map is open to people in surrounding communities and school districts. While the target audience is high school parents, professionals and students, anyone interest in learning how to access services including those people who have long graduated are welcome. 

You must register for this event by emailing your name and address to info@bethelrigenj.org.  Registration is mandatory to ensure enough materials are available. For more information, please call Bethel Ridge at 908-221-0801.