Only the student’s local school district can make a Chapter 688 referral. It is typically made by the Special Education Director or his/her designee, who may be a special education teacher or transition coordinator, to the appropriate state agency. The 688 referral must be made while the student is still in school. It is strongly recommended that the 688 referral be made at least two years prior to high school graduation or turning 22 in order to provide adequate planning for adult services, including applying for adult agency eligibility, if necessary. The 688 referral form requires the signature of the student (if 18 or older) or the parent/guardian before it is submitted to the state agency. The need for a Chapter 688 referral is usually discussed at the student’s IEP meeting. Based on the student’s identified needs, the local school district will send the 688 referral to the appropriate state agency that can best meet those needs, referred to as the Transitional Agency. If the school district cannot identify an appropriate agency, the 688 referral is sent to the Bureau of Transitional Planning (BTP) at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EHS). The BTP will then designate a Transitional Agency. This state agency is responsible for developing the student’s Individual Transition Plan (ITP) with the student and/or parent/guardian prior to the student’s graduation/turning 22.