A new year brings hope and possibility—a chance to pause, breathe, and look ahead. For families, students, and self-advocates, it’s the perfect time to revisit goals, build new skills, and explore what’s next.

Whether your student is still in school or stepping into adulthood, support and resources are available to help you navigate the journey with confidence. You’re not alone! There are tools, guides, and communities ready to help every step of the way.

Reflecting on Where You Are Now

Before jumping into new goals, it helps to look at what’s already going well. What strengths are shining? What new skills did your student—or you, if you’re a self-advocate—gain this past year? What’s exciting right now? What’s challenging?

A helpful place to start is with a short reflection activity:

• What do I enjoy?
  
• What am I good at?
  
• What do I want more practice with?
  
• What do I want my future to look like?

This exercise can help guide IEP goals, transition planning, and post-school plans. It also encourages students to take ownership of their own path—a key skill for adult life.

Key Areas to Focus on This Year

1. IEP and Transition Planning

If you or your student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the transition plan is one of the most important pieces. In Utah, transition planning must start by age 14, but transition planning can start earlier! The early worm gets the worm, right?

The Utah Parent Center offers excellent resources to help families and students prepare for IEP meetings, understand transition requirements, and create meaningful goals.

Helpful resource:
Utah Parent Center – Transition Resources
https://utahparentcenter.org/transition-planning/

2. Post-High School Options

Transition doesn’t end with high school—it begins there. This year, spend some time exploring:

• Vocational training
  
• Higher education options
  
• Employment pathways
  
• Independent or supported living
  
• Life skills development
  
• Building soft skills and self-determination

Families can also download Utah Parent Center’s Transition Book for a full guide to Utah-specific resources.

3. Building Self-Advocacy & Independence

Self-advocacy is all about understanding personal needs and speaking up for them. It’s also about making choices, understanding rights, and learning how to navigate systems.

Some practical ways to practice:

• Let your student help lead their IEP meeting
  
• Practice ordering food, asking questions, or communicating needs in daily life
  
• Talk about goals and decisions together
  
• Explore community involvement

Helpful resource:
Youth in Transition – Person-Centered Tools

4. Health Care Transition

Moving from pediatric to adult health care can feel big, but support is available. Resources can help youth confidently take charge of their health care.

Got Transition is a national center that provides readiness assessments, checklists, and guides to help youth move confidently into adult care.

Helpful resource:
Got Transition – Health Care Transition Tools
https://www.gottransition.org/

Families in Utah can also access additional support through the DHHS Integrated Services Program.

Helpful resource:

Utah DHHS – Transition Services for Youth with Special Health Care Needs
https://familyhealth.utah.gov/cshcn/transition/

Creating Your New Year Goals

Here’s a simple planning template to guide your family:

1. Vision for the Future

Think about where your student wants to be in 5–10 years—school, work, living situation, and community involvement.

2. Short-Term Goals for This Year

Choose 2–4 manageable goals such as:

• Learning a new life skill
  
• Participating in an IEP meeting
  
• Exploring job interests
  
• Practicing public transportation
  
• Building communication skills

3. Identify Supports

List people or programs that can help, such as:

• IEP team
  
• Family and friends
  
• Peer mentors
  
• Utah Parent Center
  
• DHHS care coordination
  
• Health care providers
  
• Community programs

4. Build Skills

Focus on independence, decision-making, stress management, social skills, or self-advocacy.

5. Plan Checkpoints

Set times to review progress—at IEP meetings, quarterly check-ins, or whenever important changes happen.

Helpful Resources

Here’s a quick list of organizations to bookmark:

• Utah Parent Center – Guides, workshops, and youth tools
• Got Transition – Health care transition tools
• You & I (Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital) – Teen-friendly medical independence tools
• DHHS Transition Resources – Guidance for youth with special health care needs
• Transition Elevated– A free app that will help you create a draft transition plan