PCHS Young Adult Life Skills Program Description PCHS Young Adult Life Skills is a transition program specifically designed for students 1822 with moderate to severe disabilities. The program focuses on the development of transition skills and the development of connections with adult service agencies needed for the young adult to successfully participate in the community after leaving high school. Academic skills will be combined with the development of community skills, daily living skills, and employment skills for students. PCHS Young Adult Life Skills will utilize community locations, PCHS Workshop, and PCHS Life Skills apartment. Please contact the following individuals with any questions or concerns. Sara Boerma, Teacher

Meg Thurman, Special Education Director

[email protected]

[email protected]

(309) 347-4101 Ext. 6415

(309) 347-4101 Ext. 4300

Curriculum The following skills are examples of skills that young adults will work on in PCHS Young Adult Life Skills. Each young adult has different needs, and the curriculum will be based on the young adult’s individual needs, determined by the young adult, parents, and teacher. Career Development  Applying for a job  Completing a job application  Interviewing skills  Job shadowing at community locations  In-School work experience  Community work experience  Formal and informal career surveys

Money and Time Skills  Reading a clock  Elapsed time  Time management  Budgeting  Managing a checking account  Counting money  Paying for items  Determining and giving back change  Adding and subtracting prices

Daily Living Skills  Household cleaning  Operating a washer and dryer  Folding and putting away laundry  Kitchen safety  Planning a meal

Self-Determination Skills  Problem solving skills  Goal setting skills  Making choices  Self-Advocacy  Knowing Rights

PCHS Young Adult Life Skills Daily Living Skills Continued       

Reading a recipe Creating a list and shopping for a meal Cooking basic snacks and meals using kitchen appliances Proper manners Personal safety Safely crossing the street Indoor and outdoor signs

Self-Determination Skills Continued   

Appropriately asking for help Taking responsibility Active participation in IEP process

Health and Hygiene  Walk-Fit: Walk in school or outside for exercise  Utilize community recreation programs to maintain fitness  Dental Hygiene  Clean hair, body, and clothes  Using personal hygiene products  Using and disposing of feminine hygiene products  Appropriate clothing

Leisure and Recreation  Plan a leisure activity  Try new activity  Manners and etiquette  Follow rules and expectations  Good sportsmanship

Adult Agency Service Providers  Tour adult service providers to gain information

Volunteer Community Service  Volunteer at a community locations

Community Skills Grocery Store  Using of cart  Locating sections of store  Locating items from list  Asking for help  Checking out  Paying for items  Bagging groceries

Community Skills Bank  Depositing money  Withdrawing money  Cashing a check  Asking for help

PCHS Young Adult Life Skills Community Skills Post Office  Buying stamps  Mailing letters  Getting mail  Sending a package

Community Skills Retail Store  Locating appropriate size and type  Trying on clothes  Paying for items  Asking for help

Community Skills Public Transportation  Locate stops  Pay for transportation  Read schedule  Proper etiquette on transportation

Parent and Family Responsibilities       

Practice independent daily living and community skills with your young adult. Encourage young adult independence. Assist school and young adult in finding a community job. Attend IEP and Transition meetings. Communicate and establish relationships with adult service providers. Help student to get State Identification Card. Discuss goals young adult may have after graduating from high school in the following areas: Employment, Independent Living, Educational, and Residential.

Young Adult Responsibilities        

Show respect to self and others Have good hygiene Complete work by doing best Use good manners Have good school attendance Participate in a school or community work experience Participate in IEP process Contact work when planning to be absent

PCHS Young Adult Life Skills Expenses Throughout the year, young adults will be asked to bring money or supplies to participate in some activities. The money will be used to cover the cost of cooking supplies, snacks, CBI fees, and other expenses. Students may be asked to bring money for personal use or to buy extra items not required.

Employment Expectations It is a goal for young adults in PCHS Young Adult Life Skills to participate in community employment for 3 or more hours each week. The employment position will be based on the student’s interests and abilities. The position will be a volunteer position with the goal of becoming employer paid or an employer paid position. It is vital that the young adult and his/her family assist the school in locating a position for the student. The student has a greater chance of finding a community position if all members of the young adult’s team work together. In addition, all students will complete work activities at PCHS, as well as volunteer at a community locations. It is the student's responsibility to contact work when absent.

Communication Notebook Assignment notebooks will be used to communicate information between home and school. The young adult will receive behavior money for having his/her assignment notebook signed by a parent or caregiver each night. Communication is a key your young adult’s success. Please do not hesitate to write a note, send an email, or call at any time.

Grading Procedures and Homework Young adults will receive Pass/Fail grades for participating in the PCHS Young Adult Life Skills. Student progress will be tracked through the young adult's IEP goals and objectives. Data for IEP goals and objectives will be collected and recorded on a daily basis. Student work will be kept in a student portfolio that may be viewed at anytime. The young adult will work on IEP goals and objectives, as well as other skills deemed appropriate. Young adults will have independent living skills homework each week and occasionally bring home other homework to complete. Homework is to be completed by the young adult unless otherwise noted. The goal of homework assignments is for the young adult to develop and practice the skills learned in the classroom and to transfer those skills to different environments.

PCHS Young Adult Life Skills Independent Living Skills Homework: A list of 5 independent living skills activities will be given to the young adult each Friday. The young adult will select one or more activities to complete throughout the week as independently as possible with adult assistance as needed. After completing the independent living skills activity, the young adult will complete the independent living skills worksheet with adult assistance as needed. The worksheet is due each Friday in order for the student to participate in Fun Friday.