Frequently asked questions

What is the Transition Preparation Retreat?

The Transition Preparation Retreat is an R&R Parent Support event designed for parents and caregivers of young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are approaching the transition to adulthood. It’s a chance to step away from everyday life for a weekend, learn about the systems and decisions that come with adulthood, and connect with other parents who are navigating many of the same questions.

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is for parents and caregivers of teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to feel better prepared for adulthood. You do not need to have everything figured out—in fact, that’s the whole point! Whether transition still feels a few years away or you’re already in the middle of it, there will be opportunities to learn, ask questions, and think through what comes next for your family.

How old should my child be?

The retreat is primarily designed for parents of teens and young adults ages 14-24. Because planning for adulthood often needs to begin well before age 18, parents of younger children who want to start preparing are also welcome.

What will we learn about?

We’ll cover many of the big topics families encounter as their child approaches adulthood, including adult services and supports, DDA, SSI and other benefits, decision-making and guardianship options, employment, housing, transition planning, and navigating the shift from school-based to adult systems. The goal isn’t to make you an expert on everything in one weekend—it’s to help you understand what’s ahead, identify your next steps, and know where to go for help.

Is this basically a conference?

No! Learning is an important part of the weekend, but this is intentionally a retreat. There will be structured workshops and conversations, but also time to relax, eat together, connect with other parents, laugh, take a break, and enjoy being away from the demands of everyday life. We want you to go home with useful information and feeling restored.

Do I need to know anything about transition services before I come?

Not at all. You might arrive with a detailed transition plan and a long list of questions, or you might arrive thinking, “I don’t even know what I don’t know.” Both are completely fine. We’ll provide enough background to help everyone understand the topics we’re discussing while leaving room for families who are further along to dig deeper.

Is my child supposed to attend?

No. This retreat is designed specifically for parents and caregivers. The weekend gives you space to focus on learning, planning, connecting, and taking care of yourself without simultaneously being responsible for your child’s needs.

Will there be time to talk about my family’s specific situation?

Yes. While the educational portions of the retreat will provide information that applies broadly to families navigating transition, we’ll also build in opportunities for questions, conversation, and thinking through individual circumstances. One of the benefits of keeping the retreat relatively small is having room for real discussion rather than simply sitting through presentations. One-on-one consultations with event hosts are also available for an additional fee.

What if my child has significant support needs?

Absolutely. Transition planning looks different for every person. The retreat is not based on the assumption that adulthood means college, independent living, competitive employment, or any particular outcome. We’ll talk about planning for adulthood across a wide range of abilities and support needs, with an emphasis on building a life that works for the individual and their family.

My child doesn’t qualify for many disability services. Is this retreat still for me?

Yes. Not every young person with an intellectual or developmental disability qualifies for the same services or level of support, and figuring out what adulthood looks like when traditional disability systems don’t offer much help can bring its own set of questions. We’ll talk about transition broadly—including education, employment, benefits, housing, decision-making, community, and building a meaningful adult life. Some information may not apply to your family, just as it won’t apply to every family in the room, but the retreat is designed to be useful for parents of young people with a wide range of abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.

Can both parents or caregivers attend?

Yes. If two parents or caregivers from the same family would both benefit from attending, you are welcome to register separately and attend together.

Will I have to share personal information with the group?

No. There will be opportunities for conversation and connection, but you decide what you’re comfortable sharing. You’re welcome to participate in discussions without sharing details about your family that you would prefer to keep private.

What is included in my registration fee?

Your registration includes the full retreat experience: all learning sessions and materials, recreational activities, opportunities for connection and emotional support, meals throughout the retreat, and overnight accommodations. You can choose either a shared or private bedroom, based on availability, and bathrooms are shared. We’ve intentionally designed the weekend to include both practical learning and genuine R&R, so your registration covers not just the workshops, but the time and space to relax, connect with other parents, have fun, and take care of yourself while you’re here.

What are the sleeping arrangements?

Both shared and private bedrooms are available, based on availability and the registration option you select. Bathrooms are shared. You’ll have an opportunity during registration to let us know about any needs that could affect your sleeping arrangements.

Are meals included?

Yes. Meals and snacks during the retreat are included in the registration fee. We’ll collect information about dietary restrictions and food allergies during registration and work with the retreat venue to accommodate them whenever possible.

Is the retreat space accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes. The retreat space is disability accessible, and we want every participant to be able to fully participate and feel comfortable throughout the weekend. Event organizers will do everything possible to accommodate participants with disabilities, including physical, sensory, communication, dietary, and other access needs. You’ll have an opportunity to tell us about any accommodations you need during registration, and we encourage you to reach out to us directly if you’d like to discuss your needs before registering.

Will there be downtime?

Yes—on purpose! We know how easy it would be to fill every available minute with transition information, but that isn’t what R&R Parent Support is all about. The schedule will include unstructured time to rest, connect with other parents, enjoy the retreat setting, or simply have some time to yourself.

What should I bring?

Closer to the retreat, registered participants will receive detailed information about what to bring, the schedule, directions, and anything you may want to have with you for the workshops. Mostly, bring comfortable clothes, your questions, and a willingness to spend a weekend learning and connecting.

What is the cancellation policy?

We understand that plans can change. Cancellations made 60 or more days before the retreat will receive a 90% refund; cancellations 30–59 days before the retreat will receive a 75% refund; and cancellations 14–29 days before the retreat will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made fewer than 14 days before the retreat, as well as no-shows or early departures, are nonrefundable. Registrations may be transferred to another eligible participant at no charge. We recognize that unexpected circumstances arise, particularly for families of people with disabilities, and we will make every effort to work with participants facing extraordinary circumstances, although refunds outside this policy cannot be guaranteed. If the retreat is canceled by the organizers, all registration fees will be refunded in full.

Who are Rachel and Robin, and why are you hosting this retreat?

Rachel and Robin both bring over 35 years of combined experience in the developmental disabilities and parent support field, and just as importantly, personal family connections to the disability community. We know firsthand how complicated it can be to navigate services, plan for the future, find trustworthy information, and connect with people who truly understand. We created R&R Parent Support because parents deserve more than a stack of resources and a list of websites. They deserve time and space to ask questions, learn from people who know the systems, connect with other parents, and feel supported while figuring out what comes next. Our goal is simple: to make it easier for families to get the information, support, and connection they need — while also giving parents a chance to step away from everyday demands, recharge, and enjoy being with people who get it.

I still have questions. Who should I contact?

Please reach out to rachel@nemhouse.com. We’re happy to answer questions about the retreat, accessibility, accommodations, whether the Transition Preparation Retreat is a good fit for your family, or anything else you’d like to know before registering!