For the first time in the country, there is a generation of youth with special health care needs, chronic health conditions and disabilities who have survived beyond their diagnoses/prognoses. The challenge of their transitioning to adulthood was recognized as early as 1989 when Surgeon General Koop held a meeting with family members and health professionals to focus on the health needs of youth as they transition from high school to higher education and/or work, and from home to community. The former model for adult-centered care became quickly outdated as the emerging adults began to demand full participation in managing their own health care. Health professionals were reticent to transfer care to unknown adult practitioners, parents were terrified to let go of being spokespersons for health care, and adolescents found themselves wanting independence, but without the skills and information to move forward.

With the emergence of the Healthy and Ready to Work Initiative of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau in 1996, planning for transition in health care became a prominent concept. This new emphasis on making health a part of transition planning for youth with special health needs and disabilities become a national movement.

In turn, it became clear for families, youth and health professionals that the former model of family-centered care would need drastic revision to allow for the emerging adult to become not only a full partner on the health care team, but the leader in his/her health care management.

• What does this new model of family-centered care and youth centric services look like?
• What kinds of supports are there for families as they move through health transition?
• What are the health care skills youth need to know to become the manager of their own health care?
• What happens to insurance when an adolescent leaves high school?

*See also Tools & Solutions