Transition Planning

Transition planning is a process to assist students in successfully moving from high school to the adult world.  Beginning with the IEP in place for the school year when the student will turn age 14, or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team, and updated annually in the student's IEP until graduation or exit from high school.  The components of transition planning in the IEP for students turning 14 and older:

• A statement of the student's strengths, interests and preferences
• Identification of a course of study (course titles for the duration of the IEP and beyond)
• Identification of strategies and/or activities that are intended to assist the child in developing or attaining postsecondary goals
• A description of the need for consultation (information and/or advise) from other agencies (such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Children's System of Care, Division of Developmental Disabilities, etc.)
• A statement of any needed interagency linkages and responsibilities

Additional key components are included as part of the transition planning in the IEP for students turning 16 and older:

• The student's postsecondary goals are based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, if appropriate, independent living
• The transition services needed to assist the child in reaching those postsecondary goals (a coordinated set of activities/strategies that includes instruction, related services, community experiences, the development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives, and, when appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation (N.J.A.C. 6A:14)

New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities

Social Security

Guide to Requesting a Vocational Evaluation through NJ DVR

Obtaining a vocational evaluation is a structured process designed to help students with disabilities transition from school to the workforce. Below is the step-by-step procedure to establish eligibility and schedule an evaluation through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVR).

Step 1: Submit the Online Referral & Gather Records

To begin the process, the student must first be determined eligible for services by the DVR.

• Complete the Referral: A case manager or a parent/guardian can complete the online referral form. The form is straightforward and takes only a few minutes to complete.

  Tip for Case Managers: It is often best for the case manager to submit this form directly to ensure immediate verification of submission.

• Access the Form: NJ DVR Online Referral and Application

• Consent & Records Transfer: The case manager must obtain signed consent from the student's parent(s) or guardian(s). Once permission is granted, the case manager will forward the student's IEP (Individualized Education Program) and CST (Child Study Team) evaluations directly to the assigned DVR counselor.

Step 2: Application Routing & Intake Notification

Once the online referral is submitted, the system automatically routes the application to the appropriate regional branch.

• Office Location: For local applicants, information is forwarded to the Bergen County DVR Office (60 State Street, Hackensack, NJ) and assigned to a vocational counselor.

• Next Steps Notice: The DVR office will mail a letter to the student's home requesting that a parent or guardian call the office to schedule an intake appointment for the student and their family.

Step 3: Schedule and Attend the Vocational Evaluation

The intake meeting is the final step required before the formal evaluation begins.

• Set the Appointment: The parent(s) or guardian(s) must call the DVR office to arrange a meeting with the assigned counselor.

• Confirm the Evaluation: During this initial services meeting, the parent or guardian should explicitly confirm with the counselor that a vocational evaluation will be conducted.

• Evaluation Details:

  • Duration: The evaluation typically spans two mornings.

  • Location: It is held either at the local DVR Office or a designated community-based evaluation site.

  • Attendance: Parents or guardians are welcome to accompany the student to the evaluation.

  • Scheduling: Specific dates and locations will be coordinated directly through the assigned DVR counselor.

For additional resources and detailed documentation regarding available support, please visit the official NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Website.

Bergen Community College Office of Specialized Services 

COMPASS Program | Fairleigh Dickinson University (fdu.edu) Fairleigh Dickinson University  

Eastwick College and Hohokus Schools 

Kean University Office of Accessibility Services

Lincoln Tech 

Montclair State University Disability Resource Center   

New Jersey City University Specialized Services and Supplemental Instruction 

TCNJ - Lions Plus Program