The Young Adult Program emphasizes skill development in personal management, vocational development, and independent living. Functional academics are embedded into these life-skills areas. Students, according to their Individual Educational Plan, are taught the necessary skills needed for competitive employment, volunteer activities, or day programs. The community is accessed for volunteer job sites. School personnel provide job coaching at these sites. Work experiences have included: stocking in retail, cleaning, inventory check-in, office work, clerical assistance, cafeteria work, project assembly, making and selling items, shredding, facing and produce work, warehouse work, filing, production line work.
The classroom is used for training independent living skills and personal management. Practice is given in consumer economics and financial management, meal planning and preparation, household maintenance, safety, wellness, self-care, work performance and behavior skills, community access, leisure and recreation skills, social skills, communication skills and reading and writing skills. Activities for students that require gross/fine motor activities and sensory stimulation are provided in the classroom as well.
Transition services, moving from school to the community, are emphasized in this program. Agency involvement is critical for the young adults. Representatives from different agencies may participate in Individual Education Plan meetings and Multidisciplinary Team meetings with parent approval. Parents, students, and staff all benefit by having information about the services and options available. Local, state, and federal agencies can assist the students, parents and staff in planning for, advocating for, and accessing services. Job training, job placement and/or job coaching support are arranged by state agencies during the last year of attendance in the Young Adult Program (YAP). Services provided are dependent upon funding available and the eligibility of the Young Adult for state agency services.
A variety of related services are available to the young adult based on their Individual Educational Plan. A speech/language pathologist works with groups of students to develop social communication skills necessary for success in the community. Physical and occupational therapists are available to provide consultation regarding the students’ access to their educational environment. Psychology and nursing services are available as needed.
YAP Site Plan
