Health Care Transition

What is Health Care Transition?

Why is transitioning to an adult-centered health care system important?

Health Care Transition Resources in Maryland

Health Care Transition Materials for Families and Providers

Other Health Care Transition Resources

What is Health Care Transition?

Transition, as defined by the Society for Adolescent Medicine, is the purposeful, planned movement of adolescents and young adults with chronic physical and medical conditions from child-centered to adult-oriented health care system.

It is one of the many transitions or changes that all young people face as they grow up and become adults. Other transitions include transition from high school to college, vocational school, or work; and transition from home to community living.

Why is transitioning to an adult-centered health care system important?

Transition to the adult heath care system provides:

• Screening for and treatment of adult health problems;
• Greater emphasis on sexuality and reproductive health;
• Orientation to work and independent living.

And promotes:

• Independence in care and decision-making;
• Normal social and emotional development;
• Positive self-image and sense of competence.

Health is everything! Health can impact transitions in all other areas of life.

Health Care Transition Resources in Maryland

Transition Clinics: The Office for Genetics and Children with Special Health Care Needs (OGCSHCN) supports the operation of two pediatric-to-adult transition clinics at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. These clinics assist with planning the move from pediatric to adult specialists for young people with sickle cell disease and diabetes.  For more information, please contact us at 1-800-638-8864 or visit the Harriet Lane Clinic website.

Transition Lecture Series: OGCSHCN supports a monthly Transition Lecture Series hosted by The Resource Network at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. These lectures are designed for young people with special health care needs, their families and providers, and cover a wide range of topics important for transitioning youth.  For more information, please contact The Resource Finder at 1-800-390-3372.

Additional Resources:

• Maryland Interagency Transition Council - provides information and resources for transition planning, postsecondary education, employment services, and more.

• Developmental Disabilities Administration - provides resources for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, as well as, providers.

• Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services  - offers programs and services which help people with disabilities go to work or stay independent in their homes and communities.

• Family NETworks - is an online resource for information and support specific to Maryland families with a member who has a developmental disability.

Health Care Transition Materials

- For Families

• Ten Steps to Health Care Transition - A quick reference guide on what families can do to help their child with special health care needs plan the move from child-centered to adult-centered health care systems.

• Transitioning Youth Handbook - A specific manual for Marylanders which provides families with information about the transition process and resources available to them.

• Maryland Care Notebook - A guide to help families maintain important health information that is necessary for all those involved in providing the highest quality care for special needs children.

- For Providers

• Six "Critical First Steps" to Transition and Principles of Successful Transition - a guide to the transition process which has been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published by the Journal of Adolescent Health.

• Transition of Care Provided for Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs - provides pediatricians with an outline of the issues that are important in the transition process.

• Practicing Comprehensive Care - a manual for physicians interested in creating a medical home for CSHCN published by the Institute for Community Inclusion.

Other Health Care Transition Resources

• Healthy and Ready to Work National Center - offers resources for youth with special health care needs and those that provide care for them.

• National Center for Medical Home Initiatives - working to ensure that all children and youth have access to a medical home.

• Health Care Transition Initiative - provides resources to improve the transition from child- centered to adult-oriented health care.

• Adolescent Health Transition Project - is a resource for adolescents with special health care needs, chronic illnesses, physical or developmental disabilities.

• KY Commission on CSHCN Transition Resources - offers resources for young people and their families going through the transition process.

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Center for Infants and Children with Special Needs - provides education and resources for patients and families that are preparing for transition.

• Waisman Resource Center - provides resources and publications for families and providers, who take care of special needs children.

For more information, please contact us at 1-800-638-8864