Posted 8/14/26

For eighteen-plus years, school has been the constant. There's a bell schedule, an IEP team, a case manager who knows your child's history, and a legal guarantee — under IDEA — that services will be provided. Then, sometime between age 18 and 22, that guarantee ends. What replaces it isn't automatic, and it isn't one thing — it's a patchwork of agencies, each with its own eligibility rules, waitlists, and paperwork. 

Ever wondered what a Program Specialist actually does, or who to call about a behavior concern versus an academic one? This guide breaks down the key roles you'll encounter in your child's education — from general education staff like principals, teachers, and counselors, to specialized professionals like school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and BCBAs. It also covers district-level special education roles (like Transition Specialists and Case Managers) and gives an inside look at how Del Sol School's own team — including our Director, Licensed Educational Psychologist, and Behavior Interventionists — supports students. Whether you're new to special education or just want clarity on who does what, this is your roadmap to the people behind your student's support team.

Regional Centers are the local hub connecting families to services for a child or adult with a developmental disability — but eligibility, what they actually cover, and how to get started aren't always clear. This guide breaks down who qualifies, what Regional Centers can help with, and the step-by-step process to access one. 

"Group home" gets used as a catch-all term, but licensed residential facilities actually range from minimal to intensive support, and they're not the only path available. This guide explains the different service levels, how placement works through your Regional Center, and other residential options worth knowing about. 

Turning 18 doesn't mean your family has to pursue conservatorship — it's one option among several, each with different trade-offs. This guide breaks down supported decision-making, power of attorney, and other alternatives, plus what limited conservatorship actually involves and when to start the process.