ORCHARD ACADEMYORCHARD ACADEMY

Best Practices in Person-Centered Best Practices in Person-Centered

Transition Planning and Programming Transition Planning and Programming

that Deliver Positive Outcomesthat Deliver Positive Outcomes

Presented by…Presented by…

Tim Bobrowski, DirectorTim Bobrowski, Director

Cindy Ciluffo, School Social WorkerCindy Ciluffo, School Social Worker

OrchardOrchard VillageVillage

Orchard Village is a non profit organization that Orchard Village is a non profit organization that was founded in 1972. was founded in 1972.

Founded by parents whose children were Founded by parents whose children were graduating from high school and transitioning graduating from high school and transitioning into their adult life. into their adult life.

They wanted a safe and productive community They wanted a safe and productive community where they could foster new skills and realize where they could foster new skills and realize their dreams.their dreams.

Orchard Academy is a new transition program Orchard Academy is a new transition program of Orchard Village.of Orchard Village.

Orchard Academy Features

ISBE approved non-public Special Education Transition School

An outcome of paid work with post-school support in place before school exit (a seamless transition into adult services upon graduation)

An intensive curriculum of Life Skills, Vocational services and Job Placement over an extended school year to maximize outcomes of independent living and working in the community

“The last day of school looks like the first day of adult life”Transition as a process

Transition Project FindingsTransition Project FindingsReport of the Mayoral Task Force on Employment of People with Disabilities Report of the Mayoral Task Force on Employment of People with Disabilities

(July 2002–2005) Best Practices(July 2002–2005) Best Practices

Student self-determinationStudent self-determination Family involvement in transitionFamily involvement in transition Interagency collaborationInteragency collaboration Secondary and Post-Secondary EducationSecondary and Post-Secondary Education Pre-graduation work experiencePre-graduation work experience Career ExplorationCareer Exploration Work-based learning experiences in the community Work-based learning experiences in the community Knowledge of adult services and issuesKnowledge of adult services and issues Centers of Independent LivingCenters of Independent Living Support SystemsSupport Systems

Planning for Post-secondary Success is Embedded in IDEA 2004

The purpose of IDEA is to ensure that all The purpose of IDEA is to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education them a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services and related services designed to meet designed to meet their unique needs and their unique needs and prepare them for prepare them for further education, employment, and further education, employment, and independent livingindependent living..

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 [601(d)(1)(A)]

Transition RequirementsAt age 14-1/2 (in Illinois), and updated annually thereafter, the IEP must At age 14-1/2 (in Illinois), and updated annually thereafter, the IEP must include:include:Appropriate measurable post secondary goals based on age-appropriate Appropriate measurable post secondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments for education and/or training, employment, as transition assessments for education and/or training, employment, as needed, independent living. needed, independent living. For each post-secondary goal, there is an annual goal and short term For each post-secondary goal, there is an annual goal and short term objectiveobjectiveThe transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the The transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the child in reaching those goals.child in reaching those goals.When appropriate, for transition services that include outside agencies, evidence that those agencies were invited to participate in the IEP.Beginning Beginning not laternot later than 1 year before the child reaches the age of than 1 year before the child reaches the age of majority under state law, a statement that the child has been informed of majority under state law, a statement that the child has been informed of the child’s rights under this title, if any, that will transfer to the child on the child’s rights under this title, if any, that will transfer to the child on reaching the age of majority.reaching the age of majority.

Sec. 300.320

Increase vocational outcomes by 25% – 30% Increase vocational outcomes by 25% – 30% over current levels; over current levels; 35% - 50% over national employment rates of 35% - 50% over national employment rates of people with disabilitiespeople with disabilities

Increase independent skill attainment over Increase independent skill attainment over

current levels current levels

Collaborative interagency resource pooling to Collaborative interagency resource pooling to target more funding for students, minimize each target more funding for students, minimize each partners costs and maximize student outcomes partners costs and maximize student outcomes

Benefits of a Community-Based Transition Integration Model

Orchard AcademyOrchard Academy

CurriculumCurriculum

Career & Vocational SkillsCareer & Vocational Skills Resume writingResume writing Job application writingJob application writing Interviewing skillsInterviewing skills Personal qualitiesPersonal qualities Identifying strengths and interestsIdentifying strengths and interests Career developmentCareer development Work skills and work experiencesWork skills and work experiences Learning appropriate behaviors for on the jobLearning appropriate behaviors for on the job Job research and locationJob research and location Job development and placementJob development and placement

Life SkillsLife Skills BankingBanking CookingCooking CleaningCleaning Self-advocacySelf-advocacy ShoppingShopping Locating informationLocating information Newspaper skillsNewspaper skills Recreation/leisureRecreation/leisure Community resourcesCommunity resources Personal carePersonal care NutritionNutrition

Social SkillsSocial Skills Self-determinationSelf-determination Working through stressWorking through stress Solving conflictsSolving conflicts Decision makingDecision making Working with othersWorking with others Identifying characteristicsIdentifying characteristics Identifying and developing interestsIdentifying and developing interests Expressing appropriate emotionsExpressing appropriate emotions Establishing relationshipsEstablishing relationships

Tying it all togetherTying it all together Developing the skills in all the areas allows students to Developing the skills in all the areas allows students to

gain independence.gain independence. Students are able to identify their options and choose the Students are able to identify their options and choose the

options that best suit them.options that best suit them. Learning the skills in the different areas provides Learning the skills in the different areas provides

students with the capability to succeed in life and work.students with the capability to succeed in life and work. Students are not only practicing the skills they learn in Students are not only practicing the skills they learn in

the classroom, but they have community involvement to the classroom, but they have community involvement to generalize their skills in order to achieve the greatest generalize their skills in order to achieve the greatest success.success.

Through this program students are given the opportunity Through this program students are given the opportunity to expand vocationally with job seeking skills, job to expand vocationally with job seeking skills, job development, placement, and retention.development, placement, and retention.

My Health/Medical, RX

My Work, Skills & Career

My Wealth/ Finances

My Friends/ Social Life

My Life/ My School

Orchard Academy Integrated Life Skills, Vocational Skills, Career Development & Job Placement

My Safety

My Home/ My Family Household

My Community Activities

Living and Working in the Community

ORCHARD ACADEMY’SIntegrated Transition Plan

Possible Barriers to Successful Possible Barriers to Successful TransitionTransition

Unrealistic ExpectationsUnrealistic Expectations Community AcceptanceCommunity Acceptance Limited Employment OpportunitiesLimited Employment Opportunities Lack of Community, Social and Lack of Community, Social and

Vocational Experiences Vocational Experiences Inadequate Funding Inadequate Funding Lack Of Emotional PreparednessLack Of Emotional Preparedness Scarce Community ResourcesScarce Community Resources

What are the What are the Programmatic Success Factors?Programmatic Success Factors?

IndividualizationIndividualization

…………The student’s The student’s STRENGTHS, STRENGTHS,

interests, interests, preferences, and preferences, and

individual individual capabilities remain capabilities remain the primary focusthe primary focus

Therapeutic SupportsTherapeutic Supports

Team CollaborationTeam Collaboration Transition Planning MeetingsTransition Planning Meetings

3-4 times a year meet with team (outside of the IEP) 3-4 times a year meet with team (outside of the IEP) To review progress To review progress Set goalsSet goalsSet scheduleSet scheduleShare resourcesShare resourcesCelebrate accomplishments Celebrate accomplishments

Weekly Staff MeetingsWeekly Staff Meetings

Ongoing CollaborationOngoing Collaboration

Therapeutic SupportsTherapeutic Supports

Regular assessments with students and familiesRegular assessments with students and familiesIn vocation, life skills and education to In vocation, life skills and education to

determine continued areas of need and progress determine continued areas of need and progress

Social skills trainingSocial skills trainingSafety in the communitySafety in the community

Problem solving on the jobProblem solving on the job

Self-advocacySelf-advocacy

Therapeutic SupportsTherapeutic Supports Social Work services Social Work services

Individual counselingIndividual counselingGroup counselingGroup counseling

Behavior plan update and modification for Behavior plan update and modification for the communitythe community

Community linkagesCommunity linkagesSocial and recreational opportunitiesSocial and recreational opportunitiesHealth servicesHealth services

Residential servicesResidential services

Therapeutic SupportsTherapeutic Supports

Family SupportsFamily SupportsParent sessionParent session

Intensive communicationIntensive communication ““Family Forum” topicsFamily Forum” topics

Graduate parent and student panelGraduate parent and student panel

SSI/SSDI/Medicaid SSI/SSDI/Medicaid

Financial planningFinancial planning

Disability Services panelDisability Services panel

Collaborative PartnershipsCollaborative Partnerships

Local School DistrictsLocal School Districts Parent and Network MeetingsParent and Network Meetings Community AgenciesCommunity Agencies State AgenciesState Agencies Facility Advisory CommitteeFacility Advisory Committee BEST Committee (Transition Planning BEST Committee (Transition Planning

Committee)Committee) EmployersEmployers Social and Recreational OrganizationsSocial and Recreational Organizations

Seamless Transition into Seamless Transition into Adult Living…Adult Living…

Knowledge of the adult world because…Knowledge of the adult world because… Foundation and history of transition through Foundation and history of transition through

Orchard Village as an Adult Service AgencyOrchard Village as an Adult Service Agency Service Contracts already establishedService Contracts already established Slots can be targeted for studentsSlots can be targeted for students Established success at assisting adults to move Established success at assisting adults to move

into work and independent living situationsinto work and independent living situations Variety of supports available on campusVariety of supports available on campus

Orchard Academy Student Outcomes

Employment

Independent Living Community Participation

Post – Secondary Education or Vocational Training

Work Experiences

Work Skill Attainment

Wages Tenure Employers

Life skills Communication Problem Solving Decision Making Health Self care Transportation/Mobility Personal Safety Self Advocacy/Future

Planning Financial/Income needs

Increased friendships and relationships

Community Support Community

Affiliations Social Skills Conflict Resolution Respect/Cooperation Recreation/Leisure

Job Training Career Exploration Vocational Skill Attainment

A focused curriculum of integrated Life Skills and Vocational Skills

Student Work Hours Student Work Hours

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100

120

140

160

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Life Skills AssessmentLife Skills Assessment

Life Skills Assessment

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Life Skills ImprovementLife Skills ImprovementLife Skills Improvement

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Projected December 08

Projected July 09

How does this work?How does this work?

CollaborationCollaboration Success throughout the state due to Success throughout the state due to

Transition Planning CommitteesTransition Planning Committees Where are the niches in your Where are the niches in your

community?community? Individualizing for your students and Individualizing for your students and

communitycommunity

A well integrated person centered organization that has A well integrated person centered organization that has built strong working relationships with the individuals built strong working relationships with the individuals with special needs, their families, and community. with special needs, their families, and community.

Experienced staff in vocational and life skills support of Experienced staff in vocational and life skills support of students and adults with a strong track record of students and adults with a strong track record of successful outcomes for community living and working.successful outcomes for community living and working.

Visit us @ orchardacademy.orgVisit us @ orchardacademy.org

ORCHARD VILLAGE/ACADEMYORCHARD VILLAGE/ACADEMY