Providing funding for young adults with developmental disabilities to transition to adult services.

In Illinois, once an individual with developmental disabilities reaches the age of 21 they are no longer entitled to any support services. These special individuals spend years learning basic skills that are easily lost without continued support. Over the years, state funding for these services has decreased significantly. The waiting list for service funding for young adults with developmental disabilities is over 11,500 individuals long. Most of these individuals will wait years for funding which may result in a devastating loss of skills, both functional and social. It can also mean that a parent will have to leave the work force in order to care for their disabled adult child resulting in significant financial hardship for the family.

Bridge2Hope is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the parents of a young adult with developmentally disabilities. Realizing that changes to legislation will take more time than these special individuals can afford, Bridge2Hope was created to bridge the gap in this funding. Bridge2Hope is designed to provide a temporary funding source for young adults transitioning from school into adult services. Providing the smoothest transition possible from school age services to adult services and raising general awareness of the need to support such individuals will be our primary goals.

Stephanie DeWitt-Kotheimer
sdkotheimer@bridge2hope.com