Interagency Resources & Services For Transition

For students with significant disabilities and their caregivers.

Hennepin County Developmental Disabilities – Transition Unit

Services They Provide:

• Information and consultation about community resources and county, state, and federal programs for seniors and people with disabilities.
• Short-term service planning and case management to help individuals and families develop a plan of care.
• Assistance with applying for public benefits.
• Access to Long-Term Care Consultation, Waivers (Mental Retardation/Related Conditions, Elderly Waiver, Community Alternative for Disabled Individuals, Community Alternative Care and Traumatic Brain Injury), Alternative Care and Medical Assistance Home Care.
• Access to information on specialized housing and funding including assisted living options and foster care for children and adults.

Who is Eligible for Services?

•   Hennepin County residents.
•   Eligibility for ongoing services and case management depend on needs, program and income.
•   Medical Assistance is needed to qualify for some but not all programs.
•   For Developmental Disability (DD) services, generally tested IQ score of 70 or below; current functional and psychological testing required for ongoing DD case management.

How to Make a Referral:

•   Call Aging and Disability Services Initial Consultation at 612-348-4500.
•   General inquiries and consultation do not need specific client information.
•   Referrals for in-person assessments require the following: 1) Client name, birth date, social security number, address, phone number and contact information; 2) income, asset, and health insurance information; 3) summary information on health and functioning level.

Community Informational Sessions

To check for new and updated services and dates/times of the following informational sessions, including updates to the Community Informational Sessions Booklet, click on www.co.hennepin.mn.us/ and enter the following in the keyword search box in the upper right corner of the page:  informational sessions for people with disabilities and look for sessions related to transition:

Guardianship/Limited Guardianship/Conservatorship

At age 18, any person is considered a competent adult unless a petition is filed for guardianship or limited guardianship in probate court. This introductory session provides basic information on the difference between guardianship and limited guardianship and conservatorship. It will describe the individual powers assigned by the court, outline the responsibilities of the guardian, and offer options to complete the process at no cost.

Who Should Attend? Parents, legal representatives and persons with disabilities.

Transition and Developmental Disabilities – Ages 16 to 21

This is an introduction to the changes that occur at transition age from the county perspective. Transition is an exciting time for families. Many life decisions have to be made including guardianship, graduation, exploring future work and vocational plans, residential options, SSI, and other supports. Receive fact sheets and more detailed information.

Who Should Attend – Parents, legal representatives and persons with disabilities. Changes at transition focus on individuals who are between the ages 16 and 21 who have requested services through Aging & Disability Services.

Adult Residential and Vocational Services

Learn about various residential and vocational service options for adults with developmental disabilities. Options include Day Training and Habilitation, Adult Day Care, Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF-MR), Foster Care, Semi-Independent Living Services (SILS), Supported Living Services (SLS), and Consumer-Controlled

Housing and Apartment Training Programs

Determine which services best meet your needs. We will also provide information on what to look for when choosing a provider.

Who Should Attend?

Parents, legal representatives and persons with disabilities.

Community Informational Sessions are offered as a continuing effort to keep families, clients and providers informed about service options, application processes and service definitions. These sessions are free and open to the public. At these sessions you will learn about:

•   Flexible Case Management
•   Financial and Medical Programs for Children and Adults
•   Transition Services
•   Adult Services Options
•   Health Care
•   Consumer Directed Consumer Support Services

Community Resources

Circle of Friends

Circle of Friends is a Community Education partnership between Westonka and Orono Public Schools. Circle of Friends offers 1-2 activities per month. Classes and activities include dancing, plays, bowling, arts and crafts, arts and crafts, volleyball,  concerts,  pizza parties,  parks,  theater,  cooking,  mini-golf, computer and more.

The activities are usually held on Thursday evenings. Fees for Circle of Friends activities are usually $5 or less. Circle of Friends is a program that:

•   enables adults with disabilities to participate in established Community Education classes and activities
•   offers specific classes and activities for adults with disabilities
•   enhances the role of adults with disabilities in their communities
•   provides opportunities for personal growth, socialization, and recreation.

If you have questions, would like to request a schedule of the monthly activities, or wish to be put on the mailing list, please call 952.449.8350 (Orono).

Arc Greater Twin Cities

Arc Greater Twin Cities offers educational sessions on many topics for Hennepin County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. For more than 60 years, Arc has been helping children and adults overcome challenges and thrive in community life. Arc connects people with resources and helps them navigate service systems so they can live, learn, work and play as they choose.

Arc offers events throughout the seven-county metropolitan Twin Cities area. Hennepin County residents are welcome to attend Arc events at any location. For a full, current calendar of events, visit the ARC Events Calendar.

Please register with Arc before you attend any event, even if you are an Arc member and the event is free. For registration or more information, call 952-920-0855 or visit https://arcminnesota.org for information.

Transitions to Adult Services

A panel of experts outlines options available when a person with a disability completes high school and enters the adult world of post-secondary education, employment, housing, government benefits, etc. Contact Arc for costs, registration, location and dates.

Arc Expands Services for Relative Caregivers

Today, more and more grandparents, adult siblings, and other relatives are stepping into the role of caregiver for family members with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Arc Greater Twin Cities is expanding its programs and services for this growing group thanks to a recent grant from the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA). For more information, contact Arc at 952-920-0855. Opportunities include:

• A new support group for grandparents raising a grandchild with disabilities
• Caregiver workshops
• Individual advocacy assistance

Project Soar: Super Self-Advocacy Saturdays

Discover what it takes to be a super self-advocate! Empower your life by learning to speak up for choices that you want at home, work, and leisure. Contact Arc for costs, registration, location and dates. In collaboration with Hopkins, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park and Wayzata Community Education Department’s Project SOAR Program.

Networking Groups

Networking groups offer information, support, and resources for family members of children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. All groups are free. Arc also offers additional networking groups in many locations across the metro area and Hennepin County residents may join a group at any location. Visit www.arcgreatertwincities.org for a complete list.

Transportation Services

West Hennepin Dial A Ride

763-235-2200 or 800-450-6100

Curb to curb service, connection to the MTC bus lines, to medical and legal appointments, shopping, etc. 24-hr notice required. Provider for some medical insurance companies. The fee is $2.25 each way. Can book up to two weeks in advance. Driving only within the areas of Medina, Loretto, Maple Plain, Orono, Long Lake Wayzata, Delano (Hennepin County side), St. Bonifacious, Greenwood and WestHealth in Plymouth.

Westonka Ride

952 474-7441

Provides door to door public transportation for people who are unable to ride the regular route buses. Fee is $3. This service is for people with disabilities, seniors or people with injuries or temporary conditions. Call for application and more information. (Service range is geographically-based and includes Mound, Navarre, Spring Park, Orono, Long Lake.)

Metro Mobility

651-602-1111

Provides door to door public transportation in sedans or lift equipped vans, for people who are unable to ride the regular route buses. This service is for people with disabilities, seniors or people with injuries or temporary conditions. Call for application and more information. (Service range is geographically-based and ends in Long Lake. Call to check if your address is within the service range before applying.)

Metro Transit

612-373-3333 or 612-341-4BUS

Limited times and routes available in Orono School District Boundaries. Call for 24 hour automated departure times or route/schedule information and customer relations or visit online at metrotransit.org.