BELLINGHAM — Teens with disabilities can receive services such as individual education plans and transportation through public school districts while they are students.

But what happens when they’re older than 21 and are no longer eligible for school district help? That’s the question Whatcom County Transition Fair organizers hope to help answer.

“When kiddos graduate, there’s not a great service world waiting for them,” said Jessica Lee, Developmental Disabilities Program specialist with the Whatcom County Health Department. “We want to make sure they know what is available.”

One of the biggest challenges for people with disabilities after high school is coordinating services, something school districts do for them while they’re students. The fair helps by bringing together more than 30 organizations and resources that can help with various aspects of a person’s life, including education, health, housing, advocacy, jobs and recreation.

“I see the fair as a way students with disabilities can seeall the resources they can access in our community to be happy and healthy,” said Jena Johnson, a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the state Department of Social and Health Services.

Last year was the first time the fair was run in the current format, with vendors providing information and breakout sessions available for people who want advice. About 150 people attended last year’s fair, and organizers hope to reach even more this year.

“It seemed like it really made it real for a lot of people,” said Jan Driscoll of DSHS. “They got to see the resources and meet the people.”