Transition to Adulthood

Transition Support Programs

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia runs several programs to support transitioning patients to adulthood.

REACH

reach-kidsREACH (Rapport, Empowerment, Advocacy, through Connections and Health) is a program for teens and young adults ages 14-22 with special healthcare needs and their families, created by teens and young adults with special healthcare needs.

REACH's mission is to prepare teens and young adults with special healthcare needs for a successful transition into adulthood by providing peer support, guidance and resources.

REACH offers mentorship and training to help youth acquire the skills needed to develop and maintain partnerships among families, youth and providers as they move through transition.

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REACH for College

REACH for College is a two-session workshop for teens with chronic illness and their parents. The sessions focus on the medical and social transitions necessary to plan for and navigate college life successfully. With the help of college-aged mentors attending college with chronic illness, CHOP physicians and social workers, as well as representatives from the Office of Disability Services at a local college, participants and their parents are able to work towards a successful transition to college.

Do you want to be a REACH mentor?

We are seeking undergraduate and graduate student mentors who are willing to share their experiences about living successfully with a chronic illness at college. This is a short-term commitment. No previous mentoring experience required. Please plan to attend orientation and both workshops listed below. Food will be provided. Please apply no later than Monday, March 25, by emailing the REACH program or by calling 267-426-5569.

Mentor Orientation:

Next REACH for College workshop

Spring 2013 Workshop

Please plan to attend on both dates.
Tuesday, April 9 and Tuesday, April 23, 2013
6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Location

3616 Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, Pa. 19104

To RSVP, please call the REACH program line at 267-426-5569 or email the REACH program. Be sure to include names of participant and family members who are planning attend, email, phone number and the best time/way to reach you for confirmation. (Ask about parking and let us know if you have any special needs or dietary restrictions.)

More information on upcoming workshops

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REACH Out

REACH-OUT (Rapport, Empowerment, Advocacy through Connections and Health — Optimal Understanding of Transition) is a support and educational group helping teens (ages 16-20) living with chronic illnesses to improve life skills needed to successfully navigate daily challenges through peer support, advice and resources.

The group focuses on communication, healthy relationships, self advocacy, strategies for coping with the challenges of living with chronic illness, the importance of taking time for self-care, and other issues which help young people to feel comfortable as they transition into adulthood.

The REACH-OUT program strives to provide a network of support where young people can develop positive living skills aimed at improving their compliance with their long term medical needs. The group provides a strong support system where youth can share their thoughts and feelings about the challenges of living with chronic illness.

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REACH for the Future

Reach for the Future is a FREE workshop for students in grades 7 and above who have an autism spectrum disorder, autism, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) or Asperger syndrome. The workshop will help prepare students for life beyond high school. We encourage both students and parents to attend.

Topics: The following topics will be covered:

Summer 2013 REACH workshop

Date and time: Tuesday, June 11; 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: 3535 Market Street, 16th floor
RSVP: By Tuesday, June 4. Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 28 to request language interpretation services or other accommodations.

To register for this event or to be contacted when the next workshop is scheduled, please call the REACH program at 267-426-5569 or complete and submit this form. Be sure to include the name of student and family members who are planning attend, email, phone number and the best time/way to reach you for confirmation. (Ask about parking and let us know if you have any special needs, such as physical access or language interpretation services, or dietary restrictions.)

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REACH for Independence

REACH for Independence is a two session or full day workshop for youth 19 and older with a chronic illness and/or disability and their parents/caregivers. The focus is on learning how to navigate medical insurance, finding an adult primary care doctor and assistance with resources that may be available for school, work or activities when high school ends.

Next Workshop

Part 1: Wed., June 19
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Part 2: Wed., June 26
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Register for this two-session workshop by June 19, 2013.

Location

3535 Market Street, 16th floor

Please call the REACH program line at 267-426-5569 or email the REACH program to register.

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REACH Your Potential

REACH Your Potential is a free program for youth with an IEP, ages 12 to 20, and their parents/caregivers to learn about planning for life after high school. This program focuses on providing youth and parents with information about services for planning a successful transition, advocacy for transition assistance in the IEP process, and learning skills to maintain meaningful, lasting friendships after high school.

Sign up for information on upcoming workshops

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CHOP Career Path

The goal of CHOP Career Path is to bridge the gap between high school and the world of work for young adults ages 18-22 with chronic illness and/or disabilities.

By using job coaches and internships at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia or in the community, the program assists young adults with making the transition from adolescence and school to adulthood and work, with an emphasis on vocational training and independent living skills.

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CHOP-Penn Transition Program

CHOP has teamed up with the University of Pennsylvania to offer a joint transition program for teenagers with chronic digestive, liver and gastrointestinal disorders. The CHOP-Penn Transition Program includes adult and pediatric gastroenterologists, hepatologists, a full-time nurse practitioner and other healthcare providers from CHOP and Penn Medicine, working together to ensure a smooth transition to adult care.

Learn more about the program and watch our "Moving On: Transitioning to Adulthood with a Chronic Illness" video series, which is helpful to all patients considering transition.

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Transition Program

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Transition Program provides a support group, care coordination, education and/or vocational assistance to teens, 15 to 19 years old with a TBI, including concussion. The program includes a social worker and a self advocate with a TBI.

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Concussion Support Group

The Concussion Support Group is a free program for teens, ages 15-19, who have had a concussion and their parents and caregivers. Sessions are held the third Wednesday of the month, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in Wood Club B on the 6th floor of the Wood Center. Parking is available in the Wood Center garage for $3. Light refreshments will be served so please let us know whether you have any dietary restrictions or special needs.

Upcoming sessions

To register

Registration is required. Please R.S.V.P. to 267-426-5569 (option 2) or REACH@email.chop a week in advance of the session you would like to attend.

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