4 week experience for young adults with IDD seeking more independence and families evaluating their child's readiness for independence.
Transition program for 18 - 30 year olds with I/DD. 2 4-week sessions June 3 - June 30, 2018, or July 1 - July 28, 2018. Live in 4BR/4BA luxury apt. with 3 program participants and one peer age support. Social Emotional Skills --learn team building, social etiquette, expressing and identifying emotions, non verbal communication and stress management. Leisure -- Participants learn how to occupy free time, plan social events, enhance time management skills, explore the community. Daily Living Skills -- Cooking, chores, medication management, hygiene, budgeting, sewing, safety/emergency training, household repairs, transportation training, decision-making.
Parents learn how much their child can do when parents are not there to prompt their child and participants learn how much responsibility comes with independent living. A time of learning and growth for all the family.
Applicant may apply for financial assistance based on economic need.
Participants receive a debit card at the beginning of each week which is used for the purchase of food, entertainment, transportation and any other purchases - goal of teaching budgeting, respect for money. Cost of debit card is included in weekly cost. Menus are planned by the residents of the apartment as well as the shopping. Shopping includes personal care items, cleaning supplies, etc. Guidance in healthy eating is given by the peer support person working with the participants.
Not really a camp. Fun, but the emphasis is on using the skills necessary to achieve independence in life. Gives participants the opportunity to establish friendships, work collaboratively on cooking, cleaning, planning, communicating, negotiating, taking responsibility for their actions. Making decision on how to accomplish goals. All done while leading the same lives their siblings and relatives have done and learning by experience instead of by a book. Taking the city bus. Buying their own meals. Spending their own money and accounting for it. Planning their own social engagements. All the experiences of the average young adult, but one which those with IDD all too often miss. The apartment complex offers a pool, exercise room, hot tub, volleyball, tennis, basketball and a community center to enjoy ping pong, pool and general socializing. Staff is on a 5:1 ratio Each apartment is 4 br and 4 ba and each participant is responsible for their own laundry, bedroom and share in the cleaning of the common areas including the kitchen. A life changing experience for young people seeking a more independent life and for parents to begin to understand the capabilities of their child.
Other a summer program designed to expose young adults with IDD to the skills necessary to live independently and allow families to ascertain the skills their child possess and what needs more development.