PROMOTING TRANSITION AND MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL by Heidi Seretan What is transition? • A community based program for students 18-22 • Focuses on functional life skills like: money math, budgeting, job training, volunteering, riding Muni and navigating San Francisco, cooking, and creative expression • Promotes independence and self-determination • Facilitates students in discovering their passions • Emphasizes setting goals and following dreams • Prepares students for a fulfilling and successful future • Supports students through post-secondary placement in a job or vocational program Our Mission Statement AccessSFUSD: The Arc is a community based program for students 18-22 with disabilities. We focus on teaching functional life skills within the community setting. San Francisco IS our campus. We strive to help students discover their passions, unlock their potential, and become involved members of the community. We offer an individualized program that works with each student’s goals and interests to further develop their skills, gain vocational experience, and to create self- determined individuals who are active in their community.
HOW DO WE PROMOTE TRANSITION & MAXIMIZE POTENTIAL? PREPARATION STARTS BEFORE STUDENTS EVEN BEGIN Preparing students for transition before they begin
Preparing families for what to expect STUDENT DIRECTED PROGRAMMING Interest surveys in planning schedule
Student Led IEPs Setting long term goals RIGOROUS FUNCTIONAL ACADEMICS Teaching crucial skills for 60-90 minutes per day on site to be reinforced in the community
Crucial Skill Areas • Conversation Skills • Functional Math • Goal setting • Personal portfolios • Functional Reading • Current Events • Wellness • Job Skills • Social Skills • Community Building THE MAJORITY OF EACH DAY IS SPENT IN THE COMMUNITY Travel Training
Internships promote independence • Teach important life skills • Offer real world experience • Learning basic routines helps promote mastery • Opportunity to work with various mentors and supervisors • Build on existing strengths • Promote relationships and increase social interactions with peers and co ‐ workers • Prepares for future jobs and careers • Promotes diversity • Have opportunities to learn from experts in a field Learning job skills Contributing to the community
Goals for our students • Learn valuable job skills • Increase independence • Develop relationships • New passions and interests • Pride, ownership, and membership as part of the Exploratorium team • Be prepared for competitive employment FOSTERING SELF- ADVOCACY SKILLS Performing at City Hall
Advocating at MAAC and City Hall Meeting Senator Leno Speaking at School Board meetings
School Board Monthly happy hours POST SECONDARY PLANNING IS ONGOING FOR ALL 4 YEARS
What are the post secondary options? • Competitive employment • Supported Employment or Training • Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) • Department of Rehab (DOR) • Adult Day Program • Community Based • Intensive 1:1 Services • Job Coaching • Continuing Education Getting to know what post secondary options are out there COLLABORATION IS KEY
Family collaboration • Heavily involved in student’s individual education plan (IEP) • Visiting adult programs • Having social worker attend IEP meetings • Regular communication with the family • Accountable for goals outside of school Collaboration with the community • Having a social worker at every IEP • Having receiving agency attend IEP in student’s last year • Getting students on waiting lists and visiting programs • Creating a personal portfolio for student to take with them to their adult program FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Heidi Seretan heidiseretan@gmail.com 415-867-9502
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